Anthems for outsiders, survivors, and the seekers of radical joy
Heather Mae isn’t just writing songs—she’s writing revolutions. A genre-defying artist-activist, she fuses the grit of alternative rock, the infectious hooks of indie pop, and the storytelling depth of folk to craft anthems for the outsiders, the survivors, and the seekers of radical joy. Her music is an unflinching mirror reflecting the raw realities of mental health, queer liberation, survivor empowerment, and the fight for justice.
In 2025, Mae will release "WHAT THEY HID FROM ME" (alternative) and "kiss & tell" (pop), a groundbreaking double album project that is both a reckoning and a reclamation. These records dive into the pain of unlearning, the fire of self-discovery, and the freedom of living unapologetically. Produced entirely by women and nonbinary music makers in Nashville, they are more than music—they are a movement.
Raw, raucous, and deeply introspective, "WHAT THEY HID FROM ME" is Mae’s most unfiltered work yet. Produced by ZDAN and featuring an all-female band—including Grammy winner Allison Russell and the powerhouse duo SistaStrings—the album explores religious trauma, survival, and resilience. "What I Know Now" is a gut-wrenching survivor anthem that unpacks consent and self-blame, while "All’s Not Lost" transforms the daily battle with depression into a folk-rock catharsis. "Black Lives Do" is a searing call for racial justice, written from the perspective of someone whose partner is Black. With an unrelenting blend of Americana, alt-rock, and raw storytelling, "WHAT THEY HID FROM ME" is a reckoning with the past and a rallying cry for those reclaiming their truth.
If "WHAT THEY HID FROM ME" is the reckoning, "kiss & tell" is the rebellion. Co-produced by Mae and Nashville’s pop mastermind Lollies (Timbaland, Hayley Williams), the album is a celebration of queer joy and unapologetic love. "take it slow" drips with R&B-infused sensuality featuring a rap verse from ATL’s Yani B Fly, while "shook" and "ode to joy" explode with hands-in-the-air queer euphoria.
The breakout single, "Kissing Girls," released in June 2024, is both a bi-anthem and a love letter to LGBTQ+ folks who grew up in spaces where their queerness wasn’t an option.
But Heather Mae isn’t just making music—she’s making space. Both albums were created entirely by women and nonbinary music makers, from the guitarists to the engineers to the producers and photographers. Every note, every lyric, every choice is an act of defiance in an industry that continues to sideline marginalized voices. "WHAT THEY HID FROM ME" and "kiss & tell" aren’t just albums; they are declarations. Mae’s music is a fist in the air, a love letter to the misfits, and a battle cry for those who refuse to be erased. And with these two records, she’s making one thing clear: no matter what policies are passed or how hard they try to silence us—we are here, we are loud, and we are not going anywhere.
Tour dates: https://www.heathermae.net/tour