Dan + Shay

In a new video called "The Drive," Warner Music Nashville's Dan + Shay reveal that they didn't speak for four months from late 2021 into early 2022, and apparently came close to disbanding. In the under four-minute video, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney speak candidly to each other while driving on a scenic country road. Smyers confesses he considered quitting music at the end of their 2021 arena tour, while Mooney admits to being "in a really dark place" at the same time. Both say that period of time affected their respective marriages, with Smyers saying his life had become out of balance and "completely one-sided" in favor of music, resulting in him entirely burning himself out, and Mooney saying he was "in a very 'feeling sorry for myself' place, and not wanting to take responsibility for anything." Mooney also admits he "was drinking a lot, so those highs became really high, and the lows became really, really low." Ultimately, they talked things out in March of 2022, which both say was a game changer for their partnership. That "gut check" meeting, they say, helped them rediscover the joy of making music together and become closer friends than they have ever been. Smyers says their partnership is now "infinitely sustainable."

The duo shared the video on their website and social channels yesterday (7/9), with Luke Combs replying, "This is cool." Fans will likely hear the result of their newfound commitment on their next album, due in the fall. Watch "The Drive" here.

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