Country music has never been short of nostalgia, but Mae Estes is giving it a fresh spin with her new EP, The 90s Called. Drawing on the voices, stories and unapologetic attitude of country’s golden era, Estes pays tribute to the artists who first inspired her to pick up a microphone. From childhood memories of belting out Martina McBride to the surreal experience of earning the admiration of her heroes, she’s got plenty of stories to tell — and a few legendary dinner guests in mind, too.

If The 90s Called were a ’90s movie, what would it be called — and who would play you?

Tribute to Tradition would be a fun title! I would love Julia Roberts to play me. I’m obsessed with everything she’s ever done.

What’s the first song from that era you remember absolutely loving?

Martina McBride’s A Broken Wing was a huge song for me as a kid. I would hold that big note at the end out until I was blue in the face!

If you could jump in a time machine and spend one night at a legendary ’90s country gig, whose show would you choose?

I’d go back to a Keith Whitley concert of any kind in a heartbeat. I’d see him at the Grand Ole Opry if it was an option.

There are some serious country legends behind these songs. Which one would make you the most nervous if they were sitting in the studio watching you record their song?

I got to sing harmony on a Vince Gill record this past year. Although a Vince song didn’t make the cut on the first The 90s Called, that was the most nervous I’ve ever been singing into a microphone while one of my heroes coached me through it. Vince is the best and so kind, but he’s a legend, so it was intimidating!

You Can Feel Bad has plenty of attitude. What’s your favourite country-song way of telling someone to get lost?

I have always felt like I could encompass the sass of the woman telling this story! I love Fist City by Loretta Lynn, too, where she tells someone, “If you don’t wanna go to Fist City, you better detour round my town.”

If you could steal one thing from Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton or Loretta Lynn — their voice, songwriting ability, wardrobe or confidence — which would you take?

I love all of those things about those women, but I’d definitely vote confidence! It’s the hardest to get, in my opinion, and I lean on the other badass women in my community for extra help in that department when I need it. Patty, Dolly and Loretta definitely instilled confidence in me from a young age that I still carry today.

You’re from Hope, Arkansas. What’s the most stereotypically Southern thing about you?

My accent is still pretty Southern and strong. I also grew up riding horses and rodeoing, and that was pretty specific to the area I grew up in!

What’s your ultimate guilty pleasure song — the one you’d probably deny loving if we weren’t doing an interview?

I’m not guilty about my love of any songs, honestly! I love so many genres and artists. I do sing Bang Bang by Jessie J in my sets, and that always seems to shock people that I would love that song!

If your friends had to describe you using the title of a country song, what would they pick?

Queen of My Double Wide Trailer by Sammy Kershaw.

Which song on The 90s Called would you choose as your personal karaoke weapon?

She’s Not the Cheatin’ Kind is so fun and an easy singalong!

Let’s settle this: what makes a great country song — a killer lyric, a great story, a heartbreaking melody or a little bit of revenge?

All of the above! I love to have a well-rounded playlist for whatever mood I’m in.



If you could invite three country legends, living or dead, round for dinner, who’s coming — and who’s bringing the dessert?

I’m not bringing the dessert because I’m a horrible cook! I’m gonna bring Trisha Yearwood to make that, because she’s an incredible cook. I’m bringing Keith Whitley back from the grave and also Queen Dolly Parton.

Patty Loveless has said she “knocked out” when she first met you. What was going through your head when you realised someone you admired that much was now rooting for you?

I am still in awe that I’ve gotten to speak to Patty and tell her what her music means to me. I’ll cherish the quote she gave about me cutting her song for the rest of my life. She’s been such an inspiration to me!

If Mae Estes had her own ’90s country TV show, what would it be called — and what would your opening theme song be?

The 90s Called would be the title and the theme song! It’s so perfect, and we may just have to make a ’90s country TV show in 2027…

Finally, if The 90s Called is a musical love letter to the artists who inspired you, what do you hope people say about Mae Estes when you’re the artist inspiring the next generation?

I’ve been called “the artist’s favourite artist” before, and that’s a huge compliment to me. I have serious imposter syndrome, but knowing some of the legendary artists who inspired me to dedicate my life to this craft believe in what I’m doing with my own original music and carrying the torch for the tradition of the genre — that means everything to me!