INTERVIEW: Heather Mae Embraces Multitudes on New Double-Single "Ash & Smoke"
Howdy, cowpoke! We’re right in the middle of the fundraiser for issue 4 of the Rainbow Rodeo zine! If you want to keep supporting queer country artists like Heather Mae, pre-order your copy, cop a t-shirt, or make a donation here!
Why have one thing when you can have both? Heather Mae asks that question with her upcoming dual-album project. Mae is a fierce social justice singer-songwriter whose powerful voice draws parallels to Adele and Sara Bareilles. Mae doesn’t take guff from anyone — her latest project is a double album of Americana and rock songs — all created with the help of a collective of women and non-binary talents in Nashville, including luminaries like producer ZDAN and Lollies, along with guest artists like Grammy award-winning musician Allison Russell and the extraordinary duo Sistastrings. On the album, Heather Mae focuses on stories of mental health and empowerment. On her new double video (yeah, you read that right) for “ASH & SMOKE,” Mae leans into the joy of not fitting in and doing exactly what you want, when you want.
When you launched this project, the plan was always to release a double album of songs recorded through an Americana lens, and one recorded through a pop lens. Why did this dichotomy feel important to you?
There’s this ridiculous industry rule that in order for artists to “make sense,” we have to choose one genre and stick to it. Throughout the pandemic, I wrote extensively and in multiple genres. One song I’d pick up my acoustic guitar and another, I’d produce my own beats under an array of samples. I found myself thinking, “if I release the guitar songs, I can’t release the pop music.” As a queer woman, I’m familiar with the pressure to conform to stereotypes. Breaking free from this ridiculous rule meant truly listening to the artist and not the algorithm.
How do you feel you changed your performances for the pop and rock versions?
I’m trying to give you an answer but honestly? Not at all. And I think that’s the point. It’s me, singing the songs I wrote the way they need to be delivered. There were so many times I’d do a take and [producer] ZDAN would say “that was great, this time…sing less.” The same with [producer] LOLLIES and the pop record. Instead of singing it, present it. That drive for authenticity ties into every inch of these records, even the album titles.
Another key aspect of the project was to work exclusively with women and non-binary people. How was it to film such an intimate set of videos with an entire crew of non-cis men?
Safe. Supportive. Liberating. Tabitha initiated a powerful moment right before we started filming. She asked me “what are three things you love about yourself?” After sharing my list, she told me to close my eyes and revel in that empowerment. I channeled that feeling the entire shoot. Every wild idea, Tabitha met me with “let’s do it!” It’s amazing the art you can make when egos don’t get in the way.
The lines “You struck a match/And helped me see/The things they hid from me” is pretty evocative. I’m pretty sure I know what you’re getting at there, but let’s spell it out.
I was anything but straight growing up but I didn’t come out until I was 25. During the pandemic, I started to look back and ask myself why it took me that long. Reading the book Pure by Linda Kay Klein was massive for me. I grew up in the “on fire for Jesus”, “be a good girl for your future husband” Purity Movement. Of course I didn’t know I was queer back then! In that environment, being gay was never discussed positively, if at all. If I had admitted it to myself, that would have meant striking a match and burning my entire world to the ground because, to them, I was going to hell. I was protecting myself from them. “Ash & Smoke” is what I would have said if I had come out back then.
I love how the two videos reference each other: you really can’t grasp the full scope of one without the other. How did you decide which images would evoke pop versus rock?
I classify ‘ash & smoke’ as dark pop and I mean that literally. Sonically it sounds like the color dark grey. Initially Tabitha suggested the image of me backlit with the rose petals falling all around. As we continued brainstorming, we both agreed the pop version would be part 1, love in the dark. The rock version (despite having the exact same lyrics) is proud, in your face, empowered, even a little pissed off. It just made sense for it to be part 2. Love in the dark, and then, love in the light. There are so many Easter eggs, too. Themes and imagery that will be used over and over again during this album cycle. But you’ll just have to watch the music videos to see if you catch them!
Heather Mae — Official, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Spotify
Howdy, cowpoke! We’re right in the middle of the fundraiser for issue 4 of the Rainbow Rodeo zine! If you want to keep supporting queer country artists like Heather Mae, pre-order your copy, cop a t-shirt, or make a donation here!
