Kamloops-Based Country Artist Anita Hamilton Shines with Infectious New Single “Love In A Small Town”
When young and in love, nothing is impossible. There are no hurdles or obstacles that can’t be overcome. But sometimes life throws a huge wrench into relationships, resulting in that dreamy, youthful optimism running headlong into reality. For Kamloops, BC-based country singer Anita Hamilton, that narrative is fabulously captured in the sharp, summer-driving single “Love In A Small Town.” The singer says the song’s inspiration came from her own story.
“Writing this song was in response to a traumatic event that happened during my first serious relationship,” Hamilton says. “I was head over heels in love with a college football player who experienced a severe sports injury, ending his football career. Taking months to recover, we worked hard to pay for his medical bills and adjust to the new future that lay in front of us. ‘Love In A Small Town’ is the story I told myself about how happily ever after can exist, even when it isn’t the future the young lovers envisioned for themselves. Sometimes homecoming queens trade up to a wedding gown, happily living out the rest of their lives, proud to remain in their hometown.”
“Love In A Small Town,” co-written by Hamilton and Jeff Johnson – who produced the song – speaks to lesser-known locales that teenagers or high school seniors often want to leave for bigger areas the first chance they get. But Hamilton says the single speaks to the “bumpy, imperfect, and beautiful” roadmap a girl has dreaming of her future. And instead of leaving for somewhere bigger, they end up staying in the town they were born and raised in.
Hamilton, who was born in Vancouver, has a heartfelt delivery throughout the vivid narrative, which describes small towns where everyone knows everyone and some people who thrive on gossip and rumors. “Love In A Small Town” has strong verses and a great chorus, which should instantly be a staple in concert, bringing to mind the likes of Meghan Patrick, Gretchen Wilson, and Alana Springsteen, among others. The single, which has all the traits of a great country single, without sounding formulaic or cliched, features Hamilton’s vocals, Ryan Stead on electric guitar and bass, Jeff Johnson on guitar, and mixing by Billy Decker.
Hamilton says she wrote the draft for the song in 2020 and recorded “Love In A Small Town” in 2023 in Coldstream, British Columbia. The song was also the first song she performed solo at shows as Hamilton was learning guitar when she was writing the track. “Knowing only a few chords at the time, we wrote with three chords and the truth, creating a song that practically anyone can play and relate to,” she says, adding the song is a “personal favorite.”
The singer also hopes “Love In A Small Town” celebrates those who, to quote John Mellencamp, were born, currently live, and will probably die in a small town. “There is a shortage of people planning to stay in small towns and work in blue-collar careers,” she says. “Social media and pop culture glorify artificial realities and material things. Life is about more than designer brands and fancy cars; our society is built on the backs of hard-working Canadians.”
“Love In A Small Town,” the follow-up to “Before I Fall,” is the latest offering from Hamilton who has performed the national anthem at the West Coast League’s Kamloops NorthPaws baseball club and the BC Special Olympics. Hamilton, who has had millions of views on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has performed in various venues in Vancouver and recently performed at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe.
Hamilton is also multi-talented having started an acting career when she was just 16. This is in addition to being a model, appearing in the British version of Vogue, an acclaimed figure skater, and owning a world championship cheerleading title. In short, Hamilton might live in a small town, but her talents go far beyond its town limits.
Now with the hot single “Love In A Small Town” and shows planned for 2025, Anita Hamilton should be known in small towns, big towns, big cities, and anywhere where great country music is adored and cherished.
Hi, Anita! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers?
Hey everyone, I’m Anita Hamilton, a country music artist from BC. Born and raised in a musical family, I have always lived an adventurous life and love telling stories through my music. A few years ago I moved to the countryside near Kamloops, BC and regularly perform around this area with my band. Outside of my passion as a country music artist, I am currently completing my last year of university at Thompson Rivers University and have been a proud student-athlete on the Cheerleading team here for several years.
You’ve said this song celebrates people who stay in small towns and build their lives there. Why is that message so important to you personally?
Yes, last month I released my first radio single ‘Love in a Small Town’ which celebrates people who live fulfilled lives in the small towns they come from. This story was inspired by a few past and present relationships in my life. In Canada, so many people are born and raised in small towns. We hear lots of stories about leaving these places for the bigger opportunities that may exist in big cities, beyond the horizon. This narrative leads talented young people to abandon the communities that raised them, places that may offer a lifetime of opportunity if these young professionals were to stay or return to their small towns.
I personally have felt the positive impact of relocating to a smaller community. There are significant opportunities that come along with the choice to live as a skilled adult in a small community. In times of crisis for affordable lifestyles and living within reach of close friends and family, building a strong and happy life in a smaller community is something that Canadians should be inspiring one another to do. There is nothing magical about isolating oneself in 500 concrete square feet in the sky, but there is magic in waking up to the high-school sweetheart that stuck with you through it all, and beauty in calling your neighbours by their first name.
What was it like working with Jeff Johnson on this song? How did his production style bring your vision for “Love In A Small Town” to life?
It was a pleasure to work with Jeff Johnson on this song. He is an extremely talented songwriter and producer. From the start, Jeff and I wrote this song over Facetime and brought it to life from there. Originally we wanted to write a song that truly aligned with my vision as an artist—to inspire everyday Canadians to uplift where they are from, love the lives they live, and be proud of the hard blue-collar work that they do. I am proud to say this song has achieved that.
With a softer storyline, we have been able to blend harder themes like losing a life-changing football scholarship, with softer details like the homecoming queen trading up for her wedding gown. Jeff’s pop-country style of production really brought together the message that there is a bright future for those who fall in love in a small town.
You’ve performed everywhere from Vancouver to Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe. How do these different experiences shape the way you connect with audiences?
Yes, I have had the pleasure of performing at a variety of venues as an artist. When I connect with audiences, the venue plays a huge part. Full-band shows at iconic venues, such as The Roxy in downtown Vancouver, will always guarantee a fun show. As a life-long performer, I thrive in the glimmer of the stage lights where I can move with the crowd, pumping up the energy as the show carries along. However, as my career in country music has developed, my passion as a songwriter and musician has deepened as well. Having the opportunity to play Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe earlier this year, with unreleased original material, was an intimate and profound experience as a songwriter that I will never forget. Sitting with fans, at an arm’s length and witnessing the impact that my lyrics have on them is irreplaceable. This experience has inspired me to play more acoustic shows as I plan my upcoming album release and touring schedule for 2025.
You’ve been a model, actress, figure skater, and now a country artist. How do all these different aspects of your life influence your artistry and perspective?
The different aspects of my life each impact my artistry and perspective in unique ways. Since I began figure skating at the age of 16 months old, I became a lifelong performer, with a passion for both music and dance. I was raised in an athletic and musical family, with European farming heritage, which lent well to my future as a country artist. From an early age, my grandma taught me to dance and figure skate, my mother taught me to sing, and my father instructed me daily to play both piano and guitar. I am beyond blessed to have such a supportive family that focuses on nurturing my talents.
Reaching significant success in figure skating by mid-way through elementary school, I focused on competitive sports for several years, before being scouted for a modeling agency at age 15. Modeling led to acting in commercials, as well as TV and film. Being a well-rounded performer has helped me curate the vision for my story and branding as an artist. I am familiar with characters and how audiences relate to them. This unique perspective has definitely helped guide my journey as an artist, providing direction for the focus of my songwriting, production choices, photoshoots, video shoots, and live shows. I am thankful for all the different aspects of my life that have paved the way for where I am now as a country artist.