released a new EP, picked up two nominations for the 2020 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, and was named Apple Music's New Artist of the Week - no matter how you slice it, that's a pretty good April!
We caught up with Aaron for a Q&A in celebration of all of those things, to get him to talk a little bit about Highway Mile, who he'd love to tattoo, and more. AND we got Aaron to play a round of 5 Quick Questions (from the safety of his own home) with us, and we put that video lower down in this post.
Before we get to all that though, hit play on the official music video for the title track from Aaron Allen's Highway Mile EP and enjoy!
Q) First, congratulations on your Country Music Association of Ontario Awards nominations! How does it feel to be recognized by your peers and the industry with nominations for both Rising Star and Male Vocalist of the Year?
AA) It's always an amazing thing to be recognized by a community that you respect so much. It's truly an honour to be nominated with such a talented list of artists. I am just so excited that people are connecting with what I'm doing. You put your whole heart into something and to have people respond in such a positive way is just such a great feeling.
Related: 2020 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Nominees & Fan PollQ) Your EP, Highway Mile has only been out for a few weeks (April 3, 2020) but has already racked up more than 1 million streams on Apple Music - what has the response been like from listeners so far?
AA) I can feel the energy on this one. So many people are supporting this effort and spreading the word. The response is unlike any work I have done up until this moment. The response has been beyond my expectations and I'm so grateful to everyone for all the love.
Q) To add to the streams and nominations, you've also been tagged as Apple Music's New Artist of the Week (April 24, 2020), joining previously named Canadian artists like Daniel Caesar, Jesse Reyes, Lindsay Ell, and Jade Eagleson. What is it like to see your name in that kind of multi-genre company?
AA) I could not be happier. It's kind of like seeing your name in lights at a huge venue. I go over to the Apple Music's front page and there's little old me lol. It feels damn good. I am beyond grateful to Apple Music and the great people there for having such faith in a Canadian independent artist.
Q) We all know that 2020 is upside down and a lot of plans have been shifted/ postponed/ cancelled, but can you tell us what you're still hoping or planning to do with your music in 2020?
AA) In this uncertain time I'm trying to use music to keep me on track. I'm writing as much as I can and trying to keep my career moving forward in anyway possible. I think I'm just going to keep writing and try to emerge stronger than ever when this situation is behind us.
Q) This one is less about the music and more about you - as a tattoo artist, which Canadian country artist would you love to get in your chair for some tattoo work?
AA) I would say Dallas Smith. I base that on him being heavily tattooed and wanting to examine the work. I'm always curious about the story behind the tattoo. As well I love to know who the artist was that did the work. It's always great to discover a great tattoo artist I may not have stumbled upon.
Q) And a tattoo follow-up, if you were going to get a new tattoo to commemorate Highway Mile, what would it be?
AA) The first line in Can We Go Back is, "I wonder if that tree's still there, the one we carved our initials in". I think it would be cool to tattoo that image on me with my wife and my initials in it.
Q) Back to the music for our last question. If you were building a playlist for people that didn't know your music, which other artists/songs would you include to go with songs like Where Music Comes From, Highway Mile, and Can We Go Back from your EP?
AA) Oh, there are so many... Guitar Town by Steve Earle, The Wrestler by Bruce Springsteen, One Acre Of Land by Sean McConell and Way Way Back by Donovan Woods.
Thanks to Aaron for taking the time to answer our questions and for playing along with our round of 5 Quick Questions. Hit play now to learn which album Aaron is reaching for, where he'd love to play, and more!
