Mae Estes chats about her Nashville roots and tales behind her self-titled EP [Exclusive]

Mae Estes’ new self-titled EP is a end result of her development and confidence over the previous decade. As she celebrates 10 years in Nashville, she’s reflecting on her journey and the teachings she’s discovered alongside the way in which. This EP is a real illustration of herself, that includes 5 tracks that showcase her trustworthy storytelling and unmistakable nation sound.

The mission consists of fan favorites like “Mr. Repair It” and “Mountain Of A Man,” in addition to lately launched “Drunk On That” and two brand-new songs, “I Higher Go” and “What She’s Havin’.” Estes has been open about her struggles with perfectionism and the stress to create music that matches collectively completely. Nonetheless, with this EP, she’s taken a distinct strategy, specializing in creating songs that she loves, relatively than making an attempt to suit a particular mildew.

As Estes appears to be like again on her 10 years in Nashville, she’s pleased with the accomplishments she’s made, from enjoying the Grand Ole Opry to performing on the Bluebird Cafe. She’s additionally grateful for the neighborhood and household of individuals she’s constructed round her. When requested about her milestone anniversary, Estes instructed Nation Now, “I needed to sacrifice an entire lot and work my a** off to be right here. And so that’s one thing I’m tremendous, tremendous pleased with… On prime of all of the shiny accomplishments and the unbelievable neighborhood and household of individuals I’ve constructed right here, I simply see it as one thing I’ve set my sights on and had lots of people assist me determine learn how to do as a result of I come from a small city that no person leaves and no person desires this large the place I’m from. And so I’m actually proud to, regardless of how this factor seems, to have had the heart to go see what occurs.”

Estes’ strategy to creating this EP was influenced by her need to remain true to herself and her imaginative and prescient. She desires her music to mirror her distinctive perspective and magnificence, relatively than making an attempt to suit into a particular style or sound. When requested in regards to the widespread threads that run by way of the mission, Estes mentioned, “After I was in search of the widespread thread to undergo these 5 songs which are all form of completely different, I spotted it was me and my imaginative and prescient and what I like. In order that’s actually what I’m making an attempt to maintain honing in on as my profession grows is what I like as a result of I believe the individuals who hearken to my music have the identical style as me.”

The EP options a mixture of songs that Estes has written, in addition to exterior cuts that she’s beloved for years. One of many standout tracks is “Drunk On That,” which was impressed by Brooks and Dunn’s “Neon Moon.” Estes was thrilled to have Lonnie Wilson, who performed on “Neon Moon,” play on her observe as effectively. She mentioned, “I’m an absolute nation music nerd… And so we have been within the studio and reference tracks are fairly widespread in Nashville manufacturing. If in case you have an identical vibe of one thing that’s been carried out, it simply provides you a beginning place typically… And so humorous, I’m making an attempt to be skilled within the studio. I’m speaking to those, my hero musicians making an attempt to inform ’em what to do. It’s hilarious to me… All of the musicians go into the studio half the place they play and Lonnie grabs his snare drum and comes again out and says, ‘Hey, that shouldn’t be an issue trigger I performed “Neon Moon” on this snare drum, truly on this studio.'”

Estes can be excited to share “What She’s Havin’,” a track that she wrote 5 years in the past and has been sharing with followers on social media and at native reveals. She mentioned, “I’ll say “What She’s Havin’” is a track that I wrote, I don’t know, in all probability 5 years in the past and shared it on socials and performed it at rounds and stuff domestically. And other people have been hounding me for that track for years. And so it’s one thing actually particular to, we tacked it onto the EP final second as a result of I used to be like, ‘guys, I believe this track’s actually particular’ and at last satisfied everyone…”

Estes’ sound is influenced by a spread of feminine nation stars, together with The Judds, Patty Loveless, and Shania Twain. She mentioned, “I believe subconsciously I’m only a product of all of these girls in little items. I’m form of patchwork manufactured from these girls, I believe, as a result of I pull a bit of one thing completely different from all of ’em… Loretta Lynn is a large affect of mine, and I believe for a number of causes, however a songwriter particularly, Loretta was so trustworthy and actual and genuine in her music. And I believe that taught me, I’ve all the time been trustworthy and a bit of outspoken. I believe I got here out the womb that approach, however Loretta actually confirmed me that not solely are you able to be trustworthy, however it’s a must to be, you bought to say it like it’s as a result of in case you don’t consider it, no person else goes to.”

This yr has been a giant one for Estes, with a busy touring schedule that is taken her to new cities and venues. She’s discovered quite a bit about herself and her music, and is grateful for the alternatives she’s needed to share her songs with followers. When requested about her expertise touring with Luke Bryan, Estes mentioned, “I believe Luke is precisely how all of us have perceived him as followers without end… He’s clearly, I imply, Luke Bryan’s form of greater than nation music in my thoughts. He’s obtained a world profession occurring, particularly with American Idol and issues like that. And so he’s better of the perfect to get to look at up shut. He is aware of his followers. He’s throwing a celebration each night time on stage. You’ll see viral movies of him performing a idiot and it all the time says, ‘no person’s having a greater time at a Luke Bryan present than Luke Bryan.'”

As Estes appears to be like to the longer term, she’s excited to proceed creating music that is true to herself and her imaginative and prescient. She’s pleased with the progress she’s made and is grateful for the neighborhood and household of people that have supported her alongside the way in which. When requested about what goes by way of her head when she thinks about the place she began and the way far she’s come, Estes mentioned, “It’s form of a black gap, truthfully. I believe I’ve stored my head down and stored chugging alongside for 10 years. And truthfully, I’m simply now form of opening my eyes and searching up and searching round as a result of I’ve achieved lots of these bucket record targets… I’m associates with Vince Gill and issues like that, and making an attempt to only push the imposter syndrome apart sufficient to essentially get pleasure from these alternatives that I’ve now. And it’s loopy to assume, it took me 10 years to validate myself sufficient.”