We are very excited to share with you the latest single, Underdog, by Canadian singer/songwriter Jessica Wilson.
The 23-year-old Welland musician released her new single today after a two-year writing hiatus to rebrand her sound. Underdog is a song Wilson wrote late last year and it’s the first song she released since her debut EP Sincerely in 2017.
“I wrote Underdog in 20 minutes back in October. It wasn’t supposed to be my debut single but after writing it I was like, ‘No, I have to put this one out because I bet so many people can relate to it.'”
Wilson describes Underdog as an anthem for anyone who has ever felt unappreciated or underestimated.
“I wrote this song because I’ve always felt like an underdog in this industry. When I was 16 and starting out, no one wanted to hire me because, despite the fact that I could sing, they didn’t think a young person would be capable of performing as well as I could,” explains Wilson. “It frustrated me but there was never anything more satisfying than proving them wrong.”
Wilson doesn’t have to prove her place anymore. She spent the last few years playing 200+ gigs a year in bars, restaurants, cafes and anywhere else she could hone her talent. In the process she has gained a strong following and fanbase in and around the Niagara Peninsula.
As for her new music, Wilson says it’s so much different than the songs on Sincerely.
“I think that’s a good thing. That’s not because I wasn’t proud of Sincerely. Sincerely was (and is) an amazing EP and I’m so glad I did that. I think that EP was a great introduction for me into the industry and music community. But I wrote the songs on Sincerely when I was 17-19 years old. I’m 23 now, and I’ve learned and grown a lot, and I’m ready to start pursuing a new sound that I believe fits who I am a lot more.”
Underdog was recorded with Damian Birdsey who Wilson describes as a complete sound wizard who made all of her 80’s synth pop dreams come true.
“My new music is heavily inspired by the days of 80’s synth pop, specifically New Order, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, and Bronski Beat. It also draws from some modern day music as well, including Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor album and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album,” says Wilson, adding, “Damian and I were very precise with creating an 80’s sounding vibe while still keeping some up to date sounds in it as well. Some of my closest friends got an early listen to it and compared it to Depeche Mode and Madonna, so I’m obviously flattered!”
Underdog is the first of multiple singles Wilson plans to release in the next year or so and hopes to compile them onto an album in addition to some unreleased tracks.
“I hope people love my music enough to have a good time to it.”
Check out Underdog on your favourite platform: Spotify iTunes
Connect with Jessica Wilson online: Website Facebook Twitter
FACTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Jessica began singing before she could talk
- Jessica’s first public performance was at age 11 in a school play
- Jessica began playing acoustic guitar at age 16
- Jessica is a 2013 Honey Jam Canada emerging artist
- Jessica won the Emerging Artist Award at the St. Catharines Arts Awards
- In 2017 and 2018 Jessica won the Niagara Music Award for “People’s Choice” (voted by the community, industry professionals and fans)
- Jessica sang with Juno-Award winning artist Serena Ryder at a Metric and City & Colour concert in Niagara
- Jessica was selected by American radio personality, television host, and producer Ryan Seacrest as the international winner of his “March Music Madness” cover contest
- Jessica has a degree in theatre performance and recently performed and toured with HASTINGS: The Musical last July and August with Tweed & Company Theatre and performed last Fall in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Oh Canada Eh? Productions)
