Exclusive Interview: Jess Moskaluke

Tara speaks with award winning Canadian country-pop artist Jess Moskaluke who has just released her new EP ‘Heartbreaker.’ We talked about writing inspirations behind her recent songs, artists she’d like to work with, career highlights and more!

After a brief hiatus following her wildly successful headlining 2022 Mapdot Tour including multiple sold-out shows across the country, Platinum selling artist Jess Moskaluke has been back in full-swing in 2023, sharing singles ‘Not What Ya Think’, ‘Heartbreaker’ and a new EP also called ‘Heartbreaker.’

An internationally celebrated artist, Jess Moskaluke continues to break barriers in the country music world with her big voice, pop-infused hooks, and sonic versatility. The first Canadian female country artist since Shania Twain to achieve CRIA Platinum single status with the hit ‘Cheap Wine and Cigarettes’, Moskaluke has since gone on to earn CRIA Gold certifications for ‘Take Me Home’, ‘Kiss Me Quiet’ and a nod for her feature on Paul Brandt’s ‘I’m An Open Road’. She was also notably the first Canadian female country artist since 2008 to have a song in the Top 3 with ‘Drive Me Away’ and has notched another SIX Top 10 hits in addition to that including her first ever NUMBER ONE ’Country Girls’.

The 2017 JUNO Award winner for ‘Country Album of the Year’, Moskaluke is also the 2018 CCMA Award winner for ‘Album of the Year’, a three-time consecutive CCMA ‘Female Artist of the Year’ Award winner – the first resident of Saskatchewan in the history of the awards to achieve this title – a 2017 SOCAN Award winner and the 2020 WCM Award winner for ‘Country Artist of the Year’. Kicking off 2020 with ‘Country Girls’ topping the charts, Moskaluke’s follow-up track ‘Halfway Home’ landed in the Top 5 at Australian country radio, where in 2019, she played the C2C Music Festival and took part in CMC’s ‘Songs and Stories’ series, performing six songs for a one-hour special. She delivered her Top 15 single ‘Mapdot’, a personal ode to small-town pride and the place she’s proud to call home, ahead of the release of The Demos in February of 2021, along with her Top 20 track ‘Nothin’ I Don’t Love About You’.

In 2022 Moskaluke shared the southern twang infused single ‘Knock Off’ before embarking on her first national headlining Mapdot Tour which saw sold out shows across the country. Continuously revamping her dynamic country sound and evolving with her songwriting she kicks off 2023 with her latest single ‘Not What Ya Think’. In addition to her music, Moskaluke continues to explore other avenues including her highly anticipated ‘Handpicked by Jess’ subscription box drops, with previous versions selling out in less than 24 hours.

Check out our Discover Spotlight Podcast featuring interviews with other emerging artists. Plus listen to Channel R Discover, our 60min curated playlist featuring the best emerging artists Sundays at 10am PT/1pm ET.