From Huron County’s backroads to Toronto’s city lights, rising country-pop artist Jenna Rose brings her signature blend of vintage charm and contemporary shine to the music scene. A multifaceted creative force, she carries the same heart that made her a bestselling author, abstract artist, and actor into her musical storytelling. Her sound bridges nostalgia and now, like a baby pink ’68 Bronco cruising down the middle of a backroad with a disco ball hanging from the rearview mirror, Rose’s music refuses to stay in one lane.
With her infectious new single ‘There You Were’ dropping February 20th, Rose showcases her ability to turn small-town stories into universal anthems that feel both fresh and familiar. Jenna Rose is the artist to watch. A creative force whose authenticity shines through every note, with style and energy as recognizable as her sound, Rose embodies what it means to truly be an artist- unmistakably original.
Jenna, you’re releasing your new single “There You Were” today. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this track?
The first puzzle piece of this song started with a Nashville producer whose work I had just found and immediately fell in love with. I played this little guitar riff of his, and in my head I heard “There You Were” and like a movie, this scene flashed in my mind of being in a loud bar, looking up and locking eyes as your ex-lover comes in the door, and woosh there you go again, paralyzed by love and at their mercy. I knew that story like the back of my hand. THAT song could have written itself (like the 100 other ones in my notes app about this fellow). Then I thought, hmm, maybe that guy has gotten enough airtime.. What if it was someone new in the doorway? Someone I’ve never met, someone who makes me come alive with a rush of oxytocin and dopamine (without all the heartache). Now THAT was something I could get behind. There You Were became the song I didn’t know I needed til I wrote it.
Your music blends modern country with vintage charm. How did you develop this unique sound, and what influences shaped your style?
I have always been the type to love things with character. There’s a feeling I get when I find something special, something I noticed, like there’s an invisible magnet inside it pulling me towards it. I can’t explain it but there’s just some people who I think are built this way- I’d take an old vintage Bronco over a shiny new Lamborghini any day. There’s something special, rare and rich in that to me. It’s just the way I was made. So when it comes to music it’s the same thing. There’s something nostalgic that eases my mind and soul when I hear an old song, but there’s something undeniably exciting about new and innovative pop music. I love the catchiness and fun of modern pop, but I’ll always love that old school sound. I don’t really need to try to blend the two, it’s just what I like, so that’s what comes out in the creative process.
You’ve achieved success in several creative fields, including acting, writing, and visual art. How has your experience in those areas influenced your approach to music?
My path to creating music was definitely a long and winding one. Growing up I loved making things, I was always making things, didn’t really matter what it was, but it felt like if I didn’t create something in a day- something was missing. I was also a top athlete and focused on sports for a big portion of my earlier life. After college I went in a more spiritual direction, then came back around to the arts, painting, then acting, then writing, and now music. One thing that has held true is that I’ve always listened to what my soul was calling me to do, it wasn’t a straight path but it’s always felt guided and imperative. I think diving fully into each of these areas has helped me in so many ways; trusting myself, staying true to myself, keeping a beginner mindset, believing I can do what I set my mind to, and overcoming the challenges that come with what often felt like starting over. Now I trust more that it’s all been part of my journey for a reason, that it’s been compounding, and there are no wrong turns. It’s so easy to get beat down by comparison, but I feel like the only way for me to carry the strength I need to enter new arenas is to embrace and celebrate the value that all of my past experiences have given me, and see the invisible string tying it all together.
“There You Were” explores the theme of unexpected romance. How does this song differ from your past work, particularly in terms of storytelling?
I think like many people it’s easy to get stuck in a pattern of expecting what’s been to continue to be. When I look at some of my past work, I think I was telling stories of things that happened, or things I was still holding onto from the past. With There You Were, I’m writing about my experience now, with an eye on the horizon. I’ve been single for almost two years, and though a good chunk of that time was spent still releasing old love, old habits and old stories, who I am now and when I wrote this song in January is a different person then who I was two years ago. I feel lighter now, more playful, more open to possibility. It took time but I feel like I’ve been able to let go of a lot, and be a little more open to what the universe has got in store. That’s the energy There You Were was written from- its a dance with possibility and I got my dancing shoes on.
You mentioned that “There You Were” was born when you decided to give your usual heartbreak story a plot twist. Can you elaborate on what led to this shift in perspective?
I’m not sure if the song came first, or the realization, but it finally hit me that if the guy I was writing all these songs about still wasn’t sure about me after two years, then he never would be, and I deserved a guy who didnt wanna waste another night without me. I had spent long enough reminiscing and hoping for something different. The heartache was definitely good fuel for many, many songs, but I think I finally grew tired of playing that same story on a loop. I’ve grown to love and respect myself a lot more, and I’m very focused on my career right now. My discernment has gotten a lot better too haha. So, the plot twist has arrived- in both my songwriting and life. I’m ready for a new story, and new songs, and I trust the right thing will come along when it’s meant to.
Your lyrics have been described as reading like a diary entry. How personal are the stories you tell in your songs, and how much of yourself do you reveal through your music?
Everything I write is personal. Before I began writing songs, I had just published a very honest and personal poetry book called Crashing Waves: Meditations to Set Yourself Free. It was a pivotal step in my journey towards songwriting, and helped me understand the value of writing and sharing it with others. I feel things deeply so writing has helped free me in a way, and songwriting even more so.
Simplicity and honesty are key to me in life and writing, so I try to get close to my truth and leave out the extra. Sometimes if I get stuck in the songwriting process, I take off all the pressure of “trying to write a song”, and just write down whatever I really want to say about something, no holds barred, and there’s usually some great stuff in there. When you share a true, unembellished feeling, I think it can hit a listener deeply because chances are they’ve had that same feeling, and maybe you just found the perfect words for it.
“There You Were” was written and produced in Toronto and mixed in Nashville. How did these two locations influence the sound of the track?
I spend most of my time between Toronto and Huron County where I grew up. A small town country gal in the big city. Growing up with the freedom and space country life allows for, then moving to the city where anonymity offers its own sense of self discovery and expression, has helped me hone into who I am as a person and artist. That contrast is reflected in my signature sound that mixes vintage feel (that timeless country vibe) with modern shine (the contemporary cherry on top).
The guitar for There You Were was done by a Nashville producer, and I had a Nashville mixing engineer for the final polish. So much fun pop country has come out of Nashville so I wanted to go right to the source to get that sound and feel. I visited Nashville for the first time just over a year ago to see my cousin Ryan’s hockey game who plays on The Predators. I absolutely loved the city and can’t wait to get back down there soon and collaborate with some of the talented musicians there. It’s truly a special place.
Your music has been catching the attention of listeners across different generations. What do you think it is about your sound that resonates with such a broad audience?
My music has elements that feel nostalgic and familiar which can pull on the heart strings of some of the older generations. And like many people in the younger audience, I love catchy melodies and blurring genre boundaries. But what I think most resonates with listeners of all ages is the honesty and relatability in my lyricism. My favourite songwriters make the universal personal, and that’s the way I like to write; details that put you in the middle of the story and feelings that can be felt far and wide.
As an artist, you’re known for your authenticity and unique style. How do you stay true to yourself while navigating the pressures of the music industry?
Whether it’s the music industry, your peers, social media, etc, it seems like there are always things that test your ability to stay true to you. There’s been times I’ve gotten disconnected from what really makes me happy, and what I really want. I think that’s in part because we constantly see what everyone else is doing and their version of success. But what I’ve learned and am still learning is that above all else I need my own love and that my experience is my own creation. What feels like pressure can also be an opportunity to understand yourself better. I’ve found my relationship with myself is where my deepest fulfilment lies, and a big part of that fulfillment comes from staying true to my creative expression.
I owe a lot of my ability to come back to my center to my family and my spirituality. I’ve been blessed to have parents and a sister who have always championed and celebrated me, along with a massive, loving extended family (over 50 first cousins, and 16 aunts and uncles). I know not everyone can say the same, and I am beyond blessed to have that amount of love in my life.
What’s next for you after the release of “There You Were”? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you’re excited to share with your fans?
I’ve done a lot of writing and producing in the studio alone, so what I’m really excited about is performing and connecting with audiences in person. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with other artists and musicians. As far as releases, I’ve got a ton of songs in the barrel that I am very excited to share.
Any live performances planned for the coming year?
I have a show coming up at The Starlight in Stratford, Ontario, on May 10th that I’m really excited about! The vibe and style of this place is exactly what I love- it’s got throwback charm and a modern hit of stardust. My hometown is only an hour from there so my family and friends will be in the crowd which will be very special. My talented friend Matthew will be accompanying me on the guitar, it’s gonna be a blast!
