In 2022, when the official Juno nominations came out that year, Canadian pop sensation, Jessika Harling aka Jessia found herself nominated in four categories, including both the coveted Single of the Year for I’m Not Pretty and Pop Album of the Year for How Are You? Although she didn’t win in those categories, she did come home with the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award. And rightly so. Her impact was felt not only on the charts but also arguably where it counted most with her adoring fanbase. In short, Harling’s story is one of never giving up. On a personal level the certified body positive banger I’m Not Pretty completely changed Harling’s life and afforded her the luxury to make a successful career as a pop savant and thoughtful and honest songwriter. Since then, Harling’s songs continue to shine revealing a rare musical understanding of what works and doesn’t.
The first two singles of 2024, Care About Me and The Woman You Are are my introduction to Jessia. Already, in a short time since I discovered her, I’m truly impressed by her empowering messages, deftness as a songwriter and her authenticity an artist. With that in mind, I recently caught up with her. Here is some of what we talked about.
Jessika, I’m often excited by the current wave of creativity in music. Do you think that’s because more artists are in control of their own music?
There are more artists than ever before, so I think that really helps to push us to be more creative and try new things in order to be able to stand out from the crowd. For the first time in music history, there isn’t a cookie cutter formula for how to make it in the industry. I think that freedom really helps to unlock even more creativity for artists.
I’m still quite the romantic when it comes to pop. I don’t think there is a day that goes by where I’m not tuning into classic pop. What are your earliest memories of pop music? Which musicians inspired you to become the artist you are?
My earliest memory was watching Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera perform at an award show on TV. I also grew up during the era of Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato being on TV, and they really shaped me as a pop artist too.
What makes pop music so great?
Pop takes from every other genre of music and its like a big melting pot of whatever has stuck throughout the years. The goal with pop music is to create earworms that appeal to the masses. I love the challenge of taking the story of a specific moment or thing and turning it into something that everyone can relate to. It brings us all together and creates a really fun sense of community. I love how simple yet so articulate pop music can be.
It seems really hard to be original in today’s pop climate. However, you offer a unique and dynamic listening experience that is refreshing to me. How has your journey evolved? What have you learned from your mistakes?
Music is constantly being recycled but it’s the layers that someone can add to a classic concept that I find interesting. I think the biggest lesson I have learned is to not get in my own way. Not every idea is going to be amazing and that’s okay, but I have learned to finish those and flush out the bad ideas just as much as I flush out the good ones. It’s all growing and learning whether it’s a good day or a bad day!
What was the last album or song you really loved enough to recommend to someone else?
I have been getting back into Coldplay a bunch lately, so right now I would recommend listening to their 2002 album, A Rush Of Blood To The Head. It’s such an incredible body of work.
You often weave a narrative into your lyrics that has allowed your fans to easily relate to you and your music. Was this desire to sing and to express yourself in this way, always in you?
I think so? I have always loved having deep chats with people. I can’t do small talk for very long, haha. I think that has just come out in my music and songwriting too.
That said, your new single The Woman You Are is a heartwarming song about the bond between mothers and their daughters. Can you tell us something surprising about it? I guess it is obviously a dedication to your own mother?
Yes, it’s about my mom! I have been sitting on the concept for about a year and then one day I was FaceTiming my friend and we just started writing this song and it all poured out of me.
They say social media like TikTok is made for self expression. That said, from the beginning of your career you have remained very connected with your fan base on social media. How important is that? And why?
I would say it’s the most important thing. I love making my fans feel seen and loved as they help me get seen and more loved. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. They allow me to live my dream every day!
With your new single out now, what else is coming our way from you in 2024?
Yes, the first two singles of 2024 have been leading up to a project that will be dropping sooner than you think! Who knows I might just drop it all tomorrow, haha.
Rearview Mirror 
I like reading about how other artists feel about their music and other people’s, it helps me feel less alone in a strange way
While I don’t listen much to contemporary pop, Jessia undoubtedly is talented and seems to be on a promising trajectory.
The past 8 years or so I’ve been blogging about music have been eye-opening in many ways, and it’s large part thanks to reading posts by fellow bloggers like you. One thing I had not fully appreciated before is how much of a music treasure trove Canada is!