Olive Mae celebrates the charm of country life on new single ‘Small Town’

Western Australian country singer-songwriter Olive Mae is celebrating the quirks, characters and close-knit communities of rural Australia with her new single ‘Small Town’, a lively country track inspired by her hometown of Cowaramup.

Small towns have a way of keeping everyone connected. Everyone knows your name, news travels quickly, and keeping a secret can be nearly impossible. But when life gets tough, there's usually someone ready to lend a hand. It's a way of life Western Australian country artist Olive Mae knows well, and one she's celebrating on her new single, ‘Small Town’, released on 30 October.

Hailing from Cowaramup in Western Australia's South West, Mae has drawn on her own experiences to create a playful tribute to the familiarity, humour and sense of belonging that come with living in a close-knit community. Blending a classic country groove with folk and alt-country influences, the track is full of personality, with lively fiddle from Luke Moller and Mae's distinctive Australian vocals bringing the story to life.

The song was co-written with Golden Guitar-nominated lyricist Kath Stewart during Mae's first SHE Songwriting Retreat, an initiative run by acclaimed Australian country artist Lyn Bowtell.

'It is a song about the familiarity of living life in a Small Town where everyone knows your name and knows your business but will also help you anytime you need them to', Mae explains. 'I think this song will resonate with anyone who lives in a close-knit community and it is one of my personal favourites.'

Produced by award-winning producer Matt Fell, whose credits include Sara Storer and Shane Nicholson, ‘Small Town’ is the third single to emerge from their recording sessions for Mae's forthcoming second EP.

'It's my personal favourite and I loved hearing this track come to life while I was in the studio. The fiddle part which was done by Luke Moller is especially excellent', she says.

The release follows ‘Country Songs’, which reached number three on the Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay Chart, and number ten on the AMRAP National Airplay Chart. Her recent music has also featured among ABC Country's Most Played of the Week.

Accompanying ‘Small Town’ is a music video produced by Jay Seeney of Blacklist Productions, filmed in and around Cowaramup. Featuring the town's main street, local bowling club and a nearby gravel road, the video brings the song's setting to life while offering audiences a glimpse of the community Mae calls home.

'It was very important to me to shoot this video right here in my own “Small Town” so that's what we did!' Mae says. 'I love that I can share the magic of where I live through this video.'

Mae has been steadily establishing herself on the Australian country music scene since her debut EP earned nominations at the WA Country Music Awards and WAM Song of the Year.

A 2025 graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, she has performed at festivals including Boyup Brook and Tamworth, supported Sara Storer at sold-out Perth shows and was named a finalist in the 2026 TMFM Discovered Competition. She was also selected for the CMAA Academy Campfire Songwriting Program at the 2026 Gympie Music Muster.

Her songwriting has earned praise from Sara Storer, who described her music as having 'infectious melodies, brilliantly original lyrics and a sweet Aussie lilt'.

With her second EP due in early 2027, ‘Small Town’ offers another taste of what's to come, capturing the warmth, humour and unmistakable character of regional Australia.

It's a spirited reminder that while small-town living might mean everyone knows your business, there's something pretty special about knowing your neighbours have your back.

Olive Mae – upcoming shows:

7 November 2026 – NewFarm NewCountry Festival, Denmark, WA
8 November 2026 – Pemberton Mill Hall, Pemberton, WA (with Ange Boxhall)
13 November 2026 – Secret Garden House Concert, Margaret River, WA
16 January 2027 – Matrescence in the Round, Tamworth Community Events Centre, Tamworth, NSW
21 January 2027 – Bluebird Room (headline show), Tamworth Community Events Centre, Tamworth, NSW

‘Small Town’ is available now on streaming platforms.