TikTok is quickly proving itself as a way to discover great new music. As soon as I scrolled my “for you” page and heard Mae Estes’ songs, I was immediately hooked. You may remember that she was on our list of 21 Artists to Watch in 2021 and she definitely lived up to our expectations.
I sat down with her at CMA Fest to talk about her latest single “I Quit Smokin'” and the video for “Thinkin’ ‘Bout Cheatin.’”
“I Quit Smokin’”
Recently released, “I Quit Smokin’” is fun and upbeat, with a throwback vibe, Estes mentioned The Judds, Shania, and early Chicks influences can be picked up from the song, but Estes clearly has her own unique style mixed in. “I’m super excited to test the waters on how throwback people want to go,” she said.
Estes explained that the song is about knowing what you deserve and sticking to your guns. It’s a message that we all need to hear sometimes – don’t spend your time and energy on things that aren’t going to reciprocate.
She co-wrote the song with Paul Sikes (who also produced the track) and Brett Tyler.
“Thinkin’ ‘Bout Cheatin’” Video
The video for her previous single “Thinkin’ ‘Bout Cheatin’” premiered on CMT, which is something a lot of artists dream about. Estes recalled that the network reminds her of home, since her mom would always play the station while they were cleaning the house. The thought of her mother elicited a feeling of gratitude. “Everything I love today, she instilled in me,” she shared.
Her husband, who’s a bit on the shy side, appeared in the video. “Surprisingly, it did not take a lot of convincing,” Estes said and is confident that he’ll gain his own fans because of his likeability. She joked, “I think maybe he was just secretly waiting on his chance to shine.” Overall, she felt ecstatic that he wanted to be a part of it. “He was a trooper and I was so, so proud of how it turned out.”
Growing as an Artist
Estes discussed her amelioration as an artist, including several revelations about her career. Her journey began as a seven-year-old in Arkansas, singing the national anthem.
At one point later on, she had reflected on her childhood and realized how far she’d come with her singing abilities. Additionally, she feels that she’s finally found her trademark sound that’s uniquely hers.
Constant reflection and introspection is often what makes a good artist. Estes impressed me with her self-awareness and perspective.
When asked about what she hopes to learn next, she explained that her sense of fashion is on the list and luckily Nashville is a town full of people who can offer guidance in that area.
Connect with Mae Estes
To learn more about Mae Estes, visit maeestes.com, and follow Mae Estes on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
