Toronto-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jessica Sevier merges country, roots, and Americana influences with rock energy and R&B touches, creating music as edgy and raw as her lyrics. The first song to be released from this new body of work is “Motel.” The track has a mid paced swagger, bringing to mind a picture of a dusty road and a lone cowgirl on a forthright and very clear mission; confronting her insecurities head-on and turning the tables on a toxic and abusive partner. Co-written with Andrew Allen (multi-platinum singer-songwriter) and Ron Lopata (Jully Black, Scott Helman, Matt Dusk,), “Motel” is laced with sultry vocals and determined lyrics. “Your right hand left a hole in the wall and now you’re calling out for me to stay. The old me mighta played that game, but it’s changing, oh I’m changing”.
Jessica, congratulations on the release of “Motel.” Can you tell us what inspired the song and its themes of confronting insecurities and toxic relationships?
I started writing “Motel” after deciding to leave a relationship that had become really toxic and dangerous. I felt broken but hopeful because I knew I had made the right choice to leave. I knew that life was going to start getting better, even if there was some temporary pain. It was definitely a confusing time and the best way I know how to deal with emotions is to write a song – so that’s what I did.
“Motel” blends a mix of country, Americana, rock, and R&B. How would you describe the sound of the song, and how does it reflect your growth as an artist?
I would describe the sound of “Motel” as reminiscent of an old wild west movie. It’s badass but also deeply emotional and shares the story of a woman who is determined to win and I think that story is told in part by the sonics of the song. As I have grown and matured in my own life, my music has followed that journey. The new music I have along with “Motel” are reflections of the struggles on navigating my adult life and are stories that need to be shared. I have something to say these days and I’m gonna say it.
You co-wrote “Motel” with Andrew Allen and Ron Lopata. Can you share a bit about the songwriting process and how you collaborated with them to bring this track to life?
I started writing “Motel” by myself sitting at my piano, tears streaming down my face just playing a chord progression that reflected how I felt in the moment. I opened my mouth and the first verse of the song just flowed right out. I played it to Ron and Andrew in our session the next day, unsure of where to go with the rest of it. They instantly clicked with the message and vibe of the song and started throwing out ideas. The rest of the song came together pretty quick and I think they really helped articulate my story in a powerful way.
This track seems like a departure from your past work in the country pop world. What led you to experiment with this new sound, and how does it reflect where you are as an artist now?
Although I love all the music that I have created in the past, I feel like with pop-country I was trying to fit a mold that I just couldn’t fit. My biggest influences in music lean more into the rock/Americana and classic country genres so when I was thinking about my next project I felt like the most authentic thing for me to do was to be true to my roots. The new music I have created is the most authentic and personal music I have made to date and I am excited to share a deeper side of myself with listeners.
Your lyrics in “Motel” express a sense of change and strength. How important is it for you to write songs that balance both vulnerability and empowerment?
I think it’s super important to bring both vulnerability and empowerment to my music because although things can be tough I always try to bring one positive thing to some of the most bleak situations. My co-writer Ron Lopata actually instilled this in me as a writer. I collaborated with him a lot on my new music and every time I would come in the room and pitch and idea of “everything sucks, I suck” etc. he would try and get me to think about a different perspective and turn that “everything sucks” into “everything sucks but I will overcome it” or “everything sucks but it wont last forever”.
You’ve previously shared the stage with artists like Jason McCoy and James Barker Band. How have these experiences shaped your approach to both your music and your live performances?
These experiences have been super critical in the growth of my career. It is amazing what you can learn from watching established artists perform and how they approach their craft. Performing with bigger artists always pushes me to be better. If I’m going to share the stage with incredibly talented bands, I know I need to push myself to put on the best show I can in order to uphold the standard they bring to the table and then I bring that energy to every other show I play and record I create.
“Motel” is part of an upcoming EP. Can you give us any hints about the direction of the full project and what fans can expect from your new music?
Yes! The full project explores a lot of the same sonics as “Motel”, it stays in that edgy country/Americana lane and definitely pushes the genre boundaries in some other ways. Each song on the new EP shares the same vulnerability and story telling, approaching the struggles of growing up, relationships, mental health and more. My new project is very honest and open and I hope it will be relatable to a wide audience.
You’ve been building a fanbase with over a million career streams. How do you engage with your fans, and what has their support meant to you throughout your journey as an artist?
I always engage with fans on social media, I typically try to respond to every comment and message I get. As well, at live shows I always try and stand at the merch booth after my set to get the chance to talk to fans in the audience and take pictures – I find this is the best way I can make a genuine connection with listeners. The support I have received in the past has been incredible, however, since the release of “Motel” the support has been on another level. After not releasing music for two years and still seeing listeners show up and support me on this new release is unreal. I have never had so many messages and genuine support during a release – I think everyone has been almost as excited as I am about this new song!
You’ve been part of major events like Canadian Music Week and Nashville’s Whiskey Jam. What do these kinds of showcases mean to you, and how have they contributed to your career?
These showcases have been great opportunities for me to engage new listeners. The audiences at these types of events are typically there because they love music and/or the venue they take place at – which is incredible because you have the opportunity to convert them into fans. Whiskey Jam especially was a great opportunity because it was the first time I got to play in the United States – a previously untapped market and I think I was able to make some new fans that night, or at least get my face and name to a new demographic.
As an artist who is known for being both edgy and raw, what’s next for you after “Motel”? What can we look forward to in your future music and performances?
I have so much planned to come after “Motel”! There is definitely going to be some more anthemic music as well as some super vulnerable stuff and I’m very excited to share both sides of myself with this new music and sound. I will be playing some shows around Canada this summer and fall playing all of the new music so if you want a sneak peak of what is to come, make sure to catch a show! You can see me on these dates April 3, 2025 – Stratford, ON – Canadian Dairy Expo, July 4, 2025 – Big River, SK – Country at the Creek Festival, July 26, 2025 – Branford, ON – MacKenzie Creek Music Festival, August 29, 2025 – Mattawa, ON – Smoke ‘n’ Spurs Festival and more to be announced!
