When preparing for its second album, "Knock on the Sky," Utah's own SHeDAISY didn't worry about that so-called "sophomore jinx," when the second album doesn't sell as well as the debut.
"We've always been honest with our music," said Kristyn Osborn, the country trio's main songwriter, during an interview at the Osborn home in Magna. "The real pressure was actually happening outside the studio."
SHeDAISY — sisters Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn — will do an in-store performance at 5 p.m., June 25, in Wal-Mart, 7671 S. 3800 West, West Jordan, to promote their new album. June 25 is its release day.
The siblings — known to the world collectively as the multi-platinum country group SHeDAISY — were in town a few weeks ago for their brother's missionary farewell. The three took time to talk with the Deseret News about the new album and what's been happening since the group released its platinum-selling debut album "The Whole SHeBANG" back in 1999.
"This album was a little more personal," said Kelsi. "But it wasn't as hard on Kassidy or me as it was on Kristyn, because they're her songs."
Kristyn, who enlisted songwriting friends Richard Marx, Marcus Hummon and Jason Deere to help with the project, acknowledged that it was scary laying her personal experiences on the table, including references to her divorce, for fans and the world to hear.
"The songs are like little journal entries," she said. "And when you expose yourself like that, you open yourself up. If the critics don't like the songs, then it's like they're personally attacking you. But, I had so many things that I needed to get out, that it felt right when I wrote the songs. I found that I could dig deep into myself. It was a cleansing process to me."
The nervousness even followed the group to the CD listening party in Nashville, Tenn., a few months ago.
"Kristyn was a wreck," said Kassidy. "She kind of hid in the shadows."
"It was also a little unnerving to be out of the public's eye for a couple of years," said Kassidy. "It was a concern for us. But the record label (Lyric Street) was very supportive."
And the support paid off. The album's advance single "Get Over Yourself" was the No. 1 most added single to country radio when it was released in May, peaking at No. 27 on Billboard's Top Country Singles chart.
The lonely "I Wish I Were the Rain," the heart-wrenching "The First to Let Go" and the empowering "Get Over Yourself" show the mix of emotions and directions SHeDAISY is exploring these days.
"It's still a SHeDAISY album," said Kelsi. "But it has shown that we have matured as a group."
The women worked again with producer Dann Huff, who collaborated on "The Whole SHeBANG."
This time, however, the trio landed a co-production title.
"Unlike 'SHeBang' we made this album from scratch," said Kristyn. "We didn't have the songs picked out. And we learned a lot from Dann on the last album that we were able to work more comfortably on this album."
"When Kristyn writes a song, she always has us in mind," said Kelsi, who added that the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Judds and Bonnie Raitt were some of SHeDAISY's musical influences.
"Writing the lyrics came easy this time," confessed Kristyn. "But arranging the song was stressful."
"We wanted to make sure it sounded new but was recognized as a SHeDAISY album," said Kassidy. "This time, we also performed most of it live, and that helped with the vibe. Some of the work was tedious, but we were more knowledgeable with the process and that helped."
The Osborn sisters said their career, so far, has been filled with great experiences and a few challenges.
"When we first hit the scene, we were compared to the (Dixie) Chicks," said Kelsi. "I can see why — three girls singing country music."
"But when you get down to listening to our music and their music, it's different," said Kassidy. "But the press made it a 'battle of the bands.' "
With the comparisons aside, Kassidy said SHeDAISY has found the niche it wants.
"We experiment all the time with our sound," she said. "But we've settled into a comfortable look and sound," she said. "And it also helps that we're more mature and confident this time around."
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com