by Holly Van Ness
On July 19th, Canadian singer-songwriter JESSIA released her newest EP, Okay With Every Part, and I had the exciting opportunity to chat with her about the creation and purpose of this new project. JESSIA, widely known for her viral hit “I’m Not Pretty,” has garnered nearly one million monthly listeners on Spotify within the last couple of years. Okay With Every Part features six new tracks, each infused with that special JESSIA touch.
The EP radiates themes of healing, self-discovery, and feminine empowerment. It tells a story from a reflective and introspective perspective that takes the listener through a journey of overcoming trauma and embracing happiness. As the tracks progress, the mood of the EP brightens and mirrors the transformative path of emotional recovery.
In addition to the release of the EP, JESSIA is gearing up for her debut headlining tour. Previously, JESSIA acted as a supporting artist for Dean Lewis and One Republic and she’s finally ready to take center stage this fall. “The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to be confident that it’s going to be a blast no matter what,” JESSIA shared with me. “The energy in the room is like nothing else and I don’t want to waste a single moment of the tour.” JESSIA eagerly anticipates this new chapter, looking forward to the electric atmosphere of live performances and the chance to connect with her fans in person.
When she’s not performing, JESSIA is planning to spend her time working on even more new music, exploring the city, and meeting fans. “I can’t even sleep after shows so I like to wander the streets late at night and pop into a late-night cafe or speakeasy,” JESSIA says.
(Note: JESSIA also asked for recommendations for speakeasies in the cities she’ll be visiting. If you know of any, send them her way!)
Okay With Every Part blossomed from a period of personal and professional disruption for JESSIA. Within just three months, she experienced a breakup and lost her label; a combination of events that left her feeling lost. Reflecting on this time, JESSIA admits, “I felt shame, rejection, anger, frustration, but also freedom, adventure, passion, and resilience. As much as I didn’t want to, I had to learn to accept and move through these new obstacles. Each song on this project represents a pivotal moment in my journey to finding peace and confidence again. This EP represents me accepting the good and bad parts of life so that I can look back and say, ‘I’m okay with every part.’”
In 2023, JESSIA made the brave decision to release music independently. While this shift has granted her greater creative freedom, it has also presented its own set of challenges. Without the backing of a label, a substantial marketing budget, or a large support team, JESSIA has had to navigate an ever-changing music industry all on her own. But despite these hurdles, she remains steadfast in her determination and passion for her craft.
“I see artists who do have [a label and a big team] and still have the same struggle as me, so I don’t even think there’s a huge difference these days. Success ultimately comes from you and how many times you can show up for yourself. The only thing that can make you fail in this industry is if you hold yourself back,” she says, proving her resilience and unwavering commitment to her artistry.
Before my interview with JESSIA, I spent some time scrolling through the comments on her recent social media posts and quickly saw a recurring theme; tons and tons of fans were sharing how motivational JESSIA’s music was to them and how it inspired them in their own creative pursuits. I wondered whether JESSIA noticed this impact and from what I gathered, she absolutely did.
“That’s why I do what I do,” she says. “I’m inspired by so many artists, and it’s so incredible to know I am able to repay that favor and inspire others.” From this alone, I realized that JESSIA has something other artists lack–a genuine appreciation of the connection music can make.
Okay With Every Part is an easy, feel-good listen. But more than that, it’s a reminder that music is an art that exists to tell stories and JESSIA is an exceptional storyteller who deserves to have her stories listened to.
You can listen to Okay With Every Part on all streaming platforms and check out JESSIA’s fall tour below.
Upcoming Tour Dates (buy tickets here!)
October 22 - Los Angeles
October 24 - Vancouver
October 28 - Calgary
October 29 - Edmonton
November 3 - Toronto
November 4 - New York
November 6 - Montreal
November 7 - Ottawa
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