Acclaimed country-pop star, Hayley Jensen, is ready set the airwaves ablaze with “Outskirts”. An upbeat, heartfelt, feel-good track about country living, out now via MGM Distribution.
“Outskirts” reflects on lasting memories made growing up in the country. Capturing the essence of carefree Friday nights cruising down red dirt roads with good mates & cherishing the tight-knit community in a small town.
“Outskirts” follows the release Jensen’s smash, “Stomping Ground”, which was added to Spotify’s iconic Fresh Country playlist for over 4 months, amassing over 600k streams across digital platforms. It also garnered extensive radio play across Australia’s major country networks and the music video soared in CMT Australia’s Official Top 30.
Jensen once again enlisted award-winning duo MSquared (behind “Stomping Ground” and the hits of Casey Barnes, Kaylee Bell, Taylor Moss and more), as well as Canadian hit maker Reluctant Cowboy Records (behind her ARIA #1 Country album “Breakin’ Hearts”) on the production of “Outskirts”, co-written with acclaimed Canadian songwriter Joni Delaurier, it’s a celebration of Jensen’s rural roots:
“‘Outskirts’ is about my life growing up on the outskirts of town,” Jensen explains. “My family & I lived on a 30-acre property about 40km from Canberra. Life was different for us compared to kids that grew up in the city…but I loved it and it made me who I am today, so I thought it was about time I wrote a song about it!
I was a mad horsey girl and rode every day. We had chooks, goats, horses (of course), and countless rescue animals. Weekends were spent fixing fences, chopping & stacking wood, riding in the forest, learning to drive in the paddocks & down old dirt roads, keeping the grass down so snakes didn’t come into the house… I caught the country kids’ bus to school and if you missed it, you were in big trouble!
She adds, “And there’s nothing like a party in the country! You can turn the music up as loud as you want, sing along at the top of your lungs, and no one can hear you. Some of my best memories are of inviting mates to camp over, lighting huge bonfires and partying into the night – no one complains. It’s the best! It’s hard work and good times making memories with the people you love. That’s life growing up in the country – on the ‘Outskirts’ of town – and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”
Jensen’s illustrious career includes being a two-time CMAA Golden Guitar finalist for ‘Female Artist of the Year’ in 2022 and 2023, and receiving the ICMA ‘Most Popular Female Artist’ Award in 2024. She first gained national recognition as a Top 4 finalist on the second season of ‘Australian Idol’ and later wowed audiences on ‘The Voice,’ where she was praised by coach Kylie Minogue as ‘the whole package.’
A dynamic, powerhouse live performer, Jensen has headlined major festivals across Australia and internationally. Her notable performances include headlining the main stage at Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as her own live shows, and international festivals such as the Calgary Stampede and Dauphins CountryFest in Canada, and Buckle & Boots Festival in the UK.
Hayley has just signed with Wheelhouse Agency and will be hitting the road to celebrate the release of “Outskirts” with a national headline tour (dates below). “I’m so pumped for these shows! There’s nothing better than live music. The connection you make with fans when you’re out on the road and the excitement of performing your songs for a revved-up audience shouting all the words back to you is like nothing else!”
With its upbeat energy, catchy and relatable lyrics about country living in Australia, “Outskirts” is set to become a new favorite at country radio and in country party playlists – get ready to experience life on the ‘Outskirts’!