By way of introduction, Gwen Sebastian's new album may seem a bit late. She is, after all, an artist with a couple studio projects already under her belt, possessed of a large and growing fan base earned through years of touring, and the subject of a high-profile turn on a hit national television show. Giving her latest offering the self-titled distinction may seem curious at first glance, but her writing, singing and approach to recording have converged for this project in a way that defines her as never before. Thus, Gwen Sebastian is the perfect representation of Gwen Sebastian. The 15-track collection serves as an appropriate welcome for those who've recently discovered one of The Voice's most successful contestants, even as it reveals a more fully-formed vision for her long-time fans.

Surprisingly, success on the show, touring with coach Blake Shelton, playing the Grand Ole Opry, being named one of Country Weekly's "Most Beautiful" and opening this Summer for Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley on the Locked and Reloaded tour haven't altered her course. If anything, they simply propelled her forward. "The Voice has definitely catapulted my career," she explains. "It was very validating and everything that’s happened from that point on is just at a different level. The best thing may be the sense of freedom it's given me as an artist."

Before television, the North Dakota native performed hundreds of shows as a solo artist after a childhood apprenticeship in her family's band. She released independent projects, flirted with radio success and did the heavy lifting required of aspiring artists. Admittedly, the music business grind brought her to a career crossroads just prior to her audition for NBC. "No matter what I decided at that point, I know I’d still be singing," she says. "But at any job, you always want a promotion. And that's kind of how I look at all this. Now I'm working to climb the ladder a little more."

Sebastian just released her new single “Small Town Soul” and for Sebastian, one of her most recent trips back to her family farm was captured on film for her latest video, which is filled with home video footage showing Gwen at graduation, homecoming, singing at talent shows and opening graduation presents with her family, gives the singer's fans an up-close look at her upbringing and family life.