Nothing says starlet status quite like the country-pop carnival that is Paige Rutledge's latest bop, "The Worst Thing." Envision this: twangy guitars strumming stories as if they're whispered secrets from a musical sorcerer. Paige's vocals? It's like she's gently guiding you through a love story, hitting you with the feels in the best way possible.
Her vocal range isn't just impressive; she's doing gymnastics with notes in the most effortless way imaginable as she admits listeners on this emotional rollercoaster.
Constantly keeping us on our toes, this poignant melody progresses to its colossal percussion moment, as tightly knit drum patterns kick in during the second verse, grooving to the beat of Paige's heart as she dives deep into the emotions. You can't help but begin to wonder, 'Is she reading my mind, or is she just a musical genius?'
Now, let's talk about Paige Rutledge – she's not just a country artist; she's a dynamo. Imagine a young Paige discovering country music after a heartfelt moment at her grandfather's funeral. Fast forward, and she's a force gracing the stages of Toronto to Nashville. If energy and vibrancy had a name, it'd be Paige Rutledge.
And the hits? Oh, they keep on coming. From the cover of Breakthrough Country on Amazon Music to landing on Amazon Music’s Brand New Music playlist. "The Worst Thing" comes to us as the best thing possible.
In Paige Rutledge's musical rollercoaster, this track is that loop-de-loop that makes you scream, 'Again, again!' It's like she's inviting you to a world where feelings dance and twirl, and you're the VIP guest. She's turning heartbreak into a musical playground, and we're all just here for the thrill ride.
Welcome to BUZZ, Paige Rutledge! "The Worst Thing" holds a powerful meaning and presence; we're obsessed. Can you please share the creative process behind this country-pop infusion?
Thank you for having me!! Absolutely! There’s no question that breakups are complex, but I think there is something to be said about when a breakup happens for reasons that do not make you hate that person. Sometimes, it is a case of the wrong timing or just other factors in life causing two people to break up, and that can make it really hard to move on rather than, say if someone cheated. My co-writers, Lydia Sutherland and Rich Cloke, explored those ideas while writing The Worst Thing. When I brought it to my producer, Matt Koebel, we both knew we wanted to have the scream in your car, music up loud vibe. We approached this song with the mindset of exploring a more modern-pop country sound, learning about some electronic sounds while letting the catchy acoustic guitar riffs stand out. We leaned into the vulnerability in the lyrics, and because of that, I think listeners will all be able to find something they can relate to in this song.
How do you aim to create a musical experience that feels like a lively rollercoaster for your listeners? What emotions would you like them to feel when listening to this track?
As I kind of touched on above in my answer, when I am feeling sad or going through heartbreak, I turn to singing break-up songs in my car as loud as I can. There is something so therapeutic about that experience, and that is what I wanted to capture for my listeners in this song. This song really takes you on a journey because the lyrics are pretty heartbreaking if you listen to them, but then musically, we have a country-pop breakup ballad, so the goal with that was to make people sing along. It’s almost like you’re going through a breakup as you listen to the song and experience all the emotions!
How do you approach expressing vulnerability and emotion in your music, and what techniques do you use to ensure your voice becomes a powerful storyteller in each song?
Being vulnerable can be so scary, but when you put 100% of yourself into the song, listeners can relate so much more. To be vulnerable, I think you must fully put yourself out there and experience life to the fullest. Don’t get me wrong, this can lead to a lot of heartbreak (haha) and rejection, but I think those are the moments and experiences that help you learn to be vulnerable and I can then share it in my songwriting. I’ve always been such a fan of country music because of the vulnerability and storytelling, so that is something I always strive to do in my music.
Your musical journey was inspired by a poignant moment at your grandfather's funeral. How has that early connection to country music shaped your artistic identity, and do you find that your personal experiences continue to influence the stories you tell through your music?
My grandfather introduced me to country music as a kid and even built me a stage at our cottage up in Northern Ontario so I could put on weekly shows for our family and neighbors on the road. He used to love listening to Charley Pride and Johnny Cash, and we would listen to Shania Twain together. My parents also played a lot of country music, so I don’t even remember falling in love with country music. Instead, I have always had it in my life and feel so connected. The experience of losing my grandpa and turning to music has shaped who I am as an artist. I genuinely believe that music is a special thing that can connect everyone, and I consider that with every song I write and record. If I can find a way to connect with even just one person, then I have accomplished something. Music, specifically country music, has been there for me throughout my life, and that is what I hope I can do for my listeners.
Your music has been described as vibrant, energetic, and dynamic. How do you envision your sound evolving, and are there specific musical genres or styles you are eager to explore in your upcoming projects?
I love a fun country song and have been leaning into that over the past couple of years. Recently, I have really been feeling like digging into a deeper place with my writing and being more vulnerable, translating to a few more ballads, which I also love. I have also been loving diving into country-pop's pop elements and experimenting with those kinds of sounds. It’s fun as an artist to continue evolving and growing your craft as you learn and experiment. Over the past year and a half, we have been establishing a specific sound that, as soon as listeners hear it, would make them say, “That’s a Paige song,” so I am also excited to keep that growing and make more music!