Artist Glimpse: Jessica Sevier
/
There is a gritty, unmistakable honesty that runs straight through the music of Toronto-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jessica Sevier. Blending modern country storytelling with the muscle of 80s rock and raw Americana vulnerability, Sevier writes the kinds of songs that make you feel instantly seen. Fresh off a historic night at the CMAOntario Awards—where she took home both Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for her hit single "Good to Drive"—she is carving out a definitive space as one of the most exciting voices in Canadian roots music.
Today, on the day of her new single release “Loser,” we caught up with Jessica to dive into the nostalgia, the growing pains, and the deep-rooted inspirations behind her cinematic sound.
Rob Aguiar: Your sound beautifully marries modern country-pop storytelling with a distinct rock grit. Looking back at your roots growing up in Ontario, what were the early musical inspirations or household soundtracks that first made you want to pick up an instrument and write your own stories?
Jessica Servier: Growing up, we always had music playing in the house. During dinner, on a hot summer day outside, or just hanging out, there was always music playing. Some of my first memories of music were dancing to Bruce Springsteen in the hallway with my sister and listening to Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” around the dinner table. I always wanted to sing and perform along with the music. It wasn’t until high school, when I inherited my dad's cassette collection, that I started to get the itch to write my own music. One day I put Bruce Springsteen’s “The River” into the tape machine and everything changed. I remember wishing I had written that record. So I spent every day after school studying Springsteen’s music in hopes I could write lyrics like his. I later discovered Cinderella’s “Heartbreak Station” record, which inspired me to lean into that country blues sound.
RA: You’ve frequently cited Bruce Springsteen as a massive lyrical influence—even releasing a track named after him earlier this year. What is it about his approach to songwriting that resonates so deeply with your own creative philosophy?
JS: I think what resonates with me so deeply about Springsteen is that his lyrics depict such specific scenarios. It isn’t generic or vague. He’s telling you the exact story that is happening in great detail. That is something I have adopted from him. In all of my songs, I am hyper-specific about detail. So there’s never a doubt the person or situation I am writing about knows it’s about them, ha!
RA: Your single "Panic Years" co-written with Robyn Ottolini and Dylan Guthro completely captures the messy, overwhelming experience of navigating your twenties. When you’re putting such deeply personal, journal-like vulnerability into a song, do you find the process intimidating, or is it a form of therapy?
JS: To my own dismay, I have always been an oversharer. So when I go into a session with a deeply personal idea, it is very therapeutic to talk about the situation without being judged. Writing music has been a safe space for me for so long, and getting to do so every day has definitely helped me navigate and mellow a lot of my internal struggles.
RA: "Loser," officially dropped today, and it is already being described as a massive step forward into your most confident, authentic era yet. What can you tell us about the story behind this track, and how it sets the tone for the rest of the project?
JS: "Loser" is incredibly personal because it was born right out of the aftermath of a breakup—specifically, a relationship that just abruptly ended over a phone call. Writing it was my way of fully recounting that experience, but instead of letting it stay a sad heartbreak song, I wanted to flip it into a moment of pure empowerment. It's about moving from that initial pain and disappointment straight into total confidence and freedom—basically reclaiming my own narrative with a middle finger to the sky.
Sonically, it absolutely sets the tone for this new era. I got to co-write it with Dan Botch and Garrett Ward, and working with Ron Lopata on production really let me lean into my love for '80s hair metal while keeping that gritty, outlaw country storytelling at the core. You’re going to hear a lot of swagger and edge on this track—banjo mixed with gritty, blues-inspired slide guitar. It’s bold, it’s authentic, and it definitely shows exactly where I'm heading with the rest of this project.
RA: From an intimate residency at Toronto’s legendary Cameron House to sharing massive stages with the James Barker Band and Dean Brody, your live energy is electric. How does the raw connection of a live crowd change the way you view the songs you wrote alone in a room?
JS: It’s a crazy feeling to see crowds big and small singing and dancing along to the songs I wrote. My songs are reflections of my emotional state, good and bad, and to see others share those emotions is indescribable. It’s extremely validating to see my songs connect live. But it’s also a learning space. I could play a song I think is the best thing I’ve ever done, but it just doesn’t resonate with listeners, and that’s one of the most valuable things about playing live. If something doesn’t work, it gives me a chance to understand my fans.
RA: Taking home both Breakthrough Artist and Songwriter of the Year at the CMAOntario Awards right here in Mississauga must have been an incredible milestone. With those major provincial wins under your belt, a packed summer schedule, and a co-headlining tour taking your sound across the pond to the UK this autumn, what does this next chapter feel like for you?
JS: It’s been an unbelievable year. Seeing your wildest dreams start to come true is a feeling like no other. This is just the tip of the iceberg for me; I have so much to say and share in this next chapter. I’m celebrating every win and taking the nos lightly. I believe in myself and my story, and I am very excited to share my EP with the world later this year. It’s bout to get WILD
Jessica Sevier has a rare gift for transforming personal growing pains into anthemic, universal comfort. Whether she is exploring the uncertainty of youth, paying homage to the rock icons who paved the way, or celebrating her status as one of Ontario's most decorated rising songwriters, her music reminds us that it is entirely okay to be a work in progress. Keep your eyes on this rising star, stream her latest singles on all major platforms, and stay tuned for her upcoming debut EP, Wild Wild Woman, expected to be released in September of this year.
Click here to follow Jessica’s journey and find upcoming tour dates, visit
