Fast-rising country singer-songwriter Jade Hilton is ready to make her mark with the release of her new single, Dive Bar, out today (LISTEN HERE). Hilton will celebrate the release of “Dive Bar” with a string of upcoming performances in Toronto as part of NXNE Music Festival and CMAOntario Week, following her concert at Departure Fest last week.
Inspired by Hilton’s first writing trip to East Nashville – and the unforgettable night watching Kacey Musgraves perform at an intimate venue – “Dive Bar” (produced by Douglas Romanow) captures the blend of authenticity, charm and warmth that define Hilton’s sound. The lyrics embrace humility, simplicity and a deep sense of groundedness – something Hilton knows firsthand as a tennis pro by day and a heartfelt performer by night.
“Writing songs in Nashville and singing in every writer’s round in Canada that will accept me just made me realize how much I love creating,” Hilton says. “I really discovered that I just had to find happiness in my art for everything to come together. I’m really excited for the world to hear what I’m working on, and I hope it reminds people to stay true to themselves.”
Her own artistic clarity didn’t come easily. While working on music at home in Toronto, most of her collaborators leaned towards hip-hop and R&B, so Hilton started travelling to smaller towns and eventually Nashville to find her creative community. Landing showcases at the CCMA’s Country Music Week and the CMAOntario Awards weekend, as well as a spot on the famed Blue Jays Sessions, helped her refine her musical identity and reignite her confidence. Last year alone, she performed on over 100 stages across Canada and was named Songwriter of the Year at the Mississauga Music Awards.
As a Chinese-Canadian artist in country music, Hilton is proud to be part of a new wave of diverse voices helping to shape the future of the genre. Her story is rooted in the legacy of her grandparents who immigrated to Canada and opened the beloved west-end Toronto Chinese restaurant Mr. Pongs, which welcomed guests for five decades. In a serendipitous full-circle moment, Hilton recorded her first album at a studio – housed in the very same building where her family once ran the restaurant.
“It’s inspiring to see how much diversity is growing within country music,” she says. “Watching this shift unfold gives me hope that there’s a place for someone like me and my music. I’m so grateful to the country music community for making me feel like I belong.”
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
May 18 – Toronto – Rivoli
May 28 – Horseshoe Tavern (CMAOntario Week)
June 13 – Horseshoe Tavern (NXNE Music Festival)
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