A Wall native's debut single catches fire online — 17 million listens. Where does she go from here?
WALL -- One million listeners.
That was Cari Fletcher's target, for her debut single "War Paint" and, after years of polish and preparation, her first goal as a ready-to-rule songstress in the pop sphere.
It was a sky-scraping expectation, considering the doe-eyed Jersey Shore blonde was essentially starting from scratch.
But over the last few months, her milestone number became a gross underestimate.
Since its July release, Fletcher's pounding, motivating track has been heard more than 17 million times on Spotify, and for two weeks was the streaming giant's most-shared track -- an absurdly explosive response.
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"It blew my mind," says Fletcher, 21. "When it first hit one million, I ran around my house like a child, celebrating with my family. It was a such a confidence booster, and shows that I can do this."
Following a successful appearance on Fox's "The X Factor" in 2011 -- her group finished ninth overall -- Fletcher has constructed a new, pop package that feels undeniably radio-ready.
"War Paint" soars in line with the uplifting, female-driven smashes of Rachel Platten or Sara Bareilles -- and it's hard to argue with the millions of Spotify listeners who chose to give her a try.
Fletcher worked alongside producer Jamie Kenney to concoct a single that utilizes booming, tribal rhythms and vocal samples to match her velvet-smooth delivery before escalating into an anthemic chorus.
"'War Paint' is about self-acceptance, self-love, fighting for what you believe in and fighting for who you love," Fletcher says. "It's getting back up when you get knocked down, it's female empowerment."
Since "X Factor," Fletcher (stylized as FLETCHER) has moved to Manhattan and works to finish her degree at New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. In between classes, she is in the studio, with basic management and a DIY team she's assembled herself. She hopes to release her debut EP "Finding Fletcher" independently in early 2016, and a new single will drop next week -- all with no major label support.
She will need to create more buzz on her own before major companies pay attention, and a number like 17 million Spotify plays does not equate to a life-changing amount of money, nor does it exactly set her apart (Adele's week-old single "Hello" already has 66 million plays).
"We just have to hustle 10 times harder to make a connection and get people to take me seriously," she says.
Fletcher's upcoming performances -- to be announced in the coming weeks -- will be scheduled in New York, she still vehemently flies the Jersey flag, and considers herself a member of Asbury Park's burgeoning music scene after years of playing The Stone Pony and The Saint.
"I've always been so inspired by the culture (in Asbury Park) and the trajectory it's taken," she says. "But there hasn't really been a female to come out of that place. It'd be awesome if that could be me."
If she does manage to crack the mainstream pop consciousness, and tout her shore roots as does Asbury-area noble Nicole Atkins, Fletcher plans to follow her inspirations Lana Del Rey, Ed Sheeran and Lorde -- "all the artists who sit left-of-center in the pop realm" she says.
"It's pop with substance, and that's what I gravitate toward," Fletcher says. "My music is a combination of all my favorite artists."
Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
