Conversations with Mae Hunniford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mae Hunniford

Hi Mae, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Denver, Colorado, went to Denver East High School. In high school, I was in the 3 Honors Choir and was president of the A cappella group. I knew I wanted to go into music my sophomore year and I am currently a student at CU Denver studying music business. I am most well known for being in the local band “tireshoe” which has sold out Globe Hall, played the oriental theater, the Aggie Theater and has become well known in the denver area. I have always wanted to be able to create and compose my songs and I came out with my first single “Yesterday” on November 10th, 2024. “Yesterday” was featured on Denver’s indie station indie 102.3 and I just had my first show as a solo artist Thursday March 13th 2025. Besides that I am a private music instructor, and a server, I would say I have lived many lives.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not! I have struggled with mental health problems the majority of my life, and was diagnosed with OCD at 17. I have really bad self-sabotaging habits, and find myself doubting my music all the time. I also work 2 jobs, and 1 job part time, and I am in theater, and pursue my music AND I am in college. Sometimes I find it very hard to allocate time to create music, which is incredibly hard.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m primarily a singer/songwriter, but I play piano, guitar, bass(ish) and ukulele. I write pop-rock-ish music, I have always found it very hard to describe what genre I am in. I am known for my performances. I am a very anxious, and somehow when I step onto a stage and perform I feel absolutely like the person I want to be. I don’t feel anxious, nervous, and scared. I am most proud of my song “yesterday,” like I said before, I have always wanted to produce and write my own music and release it, and I did it! It was such an incredible feeling to finally have it done, and it has motivated me to continue perusing that original goal. I am also known as the lead singer of Tireshoe. I owe so much to the musicians in that band (Mason Unthank and Haley Millonas), but I would not be the musician I am without them.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am a big risk taker, studying music, releasing music and having no other drive besides music is a risk in itself. The music industry is a scary place and the chance of making it is very slim, but I really believe in myself. I wouldn’t say I was someone who born with a natural talent, and I have learned so much because I wanted to be better and I think that means I was taking a risk on myself. I hope that makes sense.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maehunniford.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorryimwritingasong
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AshleighMae
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/532yEsHxKLrXzbo7FFItT0?si=mfWyfm6cQWeEnGu3ep2oVQ

Image Credits
CONCERT PHOTO: Perla Farias
PHOTOS IN PARK: Kenny Barnes
PHOTO IN STREET/ALBUM COVER: Joel Villanoz