Ainslie Allen has today released her debut album BETTY and new single ‘Mama Says (Breaking Rules)’.
Following a tumultuous past couple of years, BETTY marks a massive career highlight for Ainslie, and one the well loved country singer is extremely proud of.
“From the get go, I had to work hard to cover all costs from recording, mastering, artwork, photo shoot, manufacturing, publicity, and travel,” says Ainslie.
“My friends supported me by singing and playing at fundraising concerts, I sold costumes, wigs, shoes, I sold raffles, and made T-shirts, we printed flyers and did letterbox drops to get the funding I needed to complete BETTY.”
Ainslie continues, “Life is sometimes a hard wake up call, having so much to juggle and to come out the other end with an album full of stories to be told, I’m very proud. I’m standing by all of this, as this is what has made BETTY.”
Alongside the album release she has also released the lead single, ‘Mama Says (Breaking Rules).’
“‘Mama Says (Breaking Rules)’ started as a co-write, and grew into a kick-arse country song with vocal harmonies reminiscent of our native indigenous brothers and sisters of the U.S. Conjuring up visuals of smoking tyres, Steve McQueen, a two-timing lover, and a woman strong enough to break free.”
BETTY contains the already-released singles ‘Done and Gone’, ‘You Think You’re (Better Than Me)’ (both chosen for NZOA New Tracks) and ‘Maserati’ and a host of new songs, which leave no question - 2021 is Ainslie Allen’s year!
From a young age, Ainslie Allen (Rongowhakaata) honed in on her talents. Her first professional singing engagement was for Sir Edmond Hillary, and with a passion for country music, she successfully competed throughout New Zealand, channeling the spirit of Patsy Cline and became known as 'the crazy girl’.
She won her first guitar at the age of 12 and at 16 she went on to win Smokefree Rockquest’s most prestigious Female Musician Award, the same year she starred in McDonald's Young Entertainers, a hit New Zealand TV talent show, making 'Ainslie Allen' a household name.
As an Independent Country artist, Ainslie released her debut EP THE A-SIDES in November 2013 before joining forces with Elvis Presley's TCB band members and Sir John Rowles for a tour of Hawaii and New Zealand in 2014.
Other career highlights to date after a 6-year hiatus other career highlights are playing the MAIN stage at Rhythm and Vines 2020, being part of Waiata Anthems Week 2021, and a finalist for Best Māori Wāhine Solo Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021.
Ainslie is NZ Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a double graduate of the 2018/2019 CMAA Academy of Country Music. She is 7 x finalist for the NZ Gold Guitar Awards 2019.
Ainslie Allen - BETTY - out now.
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