In Front of the Lens: An Interview with Saskatchewan's Country Star
Tell me about yourself!
Hi! I’m Jess Moskaluke and I’m a country artist from small town Saskatchewan. I grew up in Langenburg, SK, but my husband and our fur babies now call Rocanville, SK home.
How did you get your start in music?
Singing has always been something I’ve loved to do. One Christmas my mom got me a karaoke machine and some voice lessons to try, and I fell in love. I’d sing for hours and hours every night. My mom actually had to come downstairs and ask me to stop because she was worried I’d hurt myself if I sang too long, haha. I guess to make a VERY long story a little bit shorter and less convoluted, I got my start in “the industry” on YouTube. I started making videos and posting original songs that I’d written and I started posting cover songs as well. The view count just constantly went up and up like crazy until it became something I felt the need to be doing full time. From there I started working with my record label, MDM, and releasing songs to radio and here we are!
What’s your advice for musicians starting out?
It’s such a different world out there today than it was when I first started out. But I think the advice that doesn’t expire is that you have to work hard. And I mean HARD. Just when you think you couldn’t possibly be doing any more to further your craft, that’s exactly what is required of you. More. This “job” is one that doesn’t turn off. It’s 24/7. It’s so much more than just being onstage. It's about how you treat people when you’re offstage. It’s waking up in the middle of the night to add an idea to your song list. It’s answering emails in the airport on the way to a show. It’s doing interviews and conference calls and strategy meetings on your “days off”. It’s only having a few hours a week at home to do all of your grocery shopping, visiting, banking, mail-grabbing, taxes/books, appointments, etc. But the rewards ALWAYS outweigh the challenges for me, or I wouldn’t be here. And at the end of the day, that’s another piece of advice I’d give to anyone starting out - do it until it’s not fun anymore. :)
Photo by Nicole Romanoff, Makeup by Candy Becker, Styling by Kate Matthews
What does a day in the life look like for you when you’re home?
When I’m home, I’m usually trying to get caught up on everything I’ve missed while I’m away, and getting ready to leave again, haha. So lots of doing laundry, unpacking and repacking often in the same day. A lot of my time, my days at home are spent in conference calls and doing radio interviews. However, given the current state of the world, I’m home right now and things are quite different than usual as I’ve been home for almost 2 weeks now, and for the first time in years, I have no idea when I’ll be leaving again. So I’ve been doing some DIY projects, picked back up on voice lessons, made some online appearances, and have had time to bake again. The reset has been sort of nice, in a bittersweet kinda way.
What does a day in the life look like when you’re on tour?
Every day is different. One-off show days (where we fly in and out for a show) are much different than tour days, where we sleep on the bus and wake up in the city we’re about to play in. On tour days, usually there’s a lot of sitting around and waiting during the day. Wake up on the bus. Find out what city you’re in. Go outside to the arena, try to find the right entrance, haha. (It’s harder than it sounds some days!) Bring your suitcase in and find your dressing room. Go inside and shower/get ready for the day/brush your teeth. (There aren’t showers on a tour bus) Then you’ve usually got some time. So you can maybe go for a walk if it’s nice enough out (as Canadians, we often tour in the winter because there are so many summer festivals that it doesn’t make sense for us to “tour” in the summer.), explore the city you’re in, grab lunch or coffee, work out, tackle some emails/media requests/interviews/etc. Then once you’re done killing a couple hours, you come back and do soundcheck. Then you get stage ready. Then there’s usually a meet and greet, then you come back and get your voice warmed up, then it’s show time! After show time it’s nice if you have sit down and debrief with the band over a drink. Talk about what worked, what didn’t, what was funny in the front row, who broke a string, etc. Then we usually crawl back onto the bus and head off to the next city to do it all over again!
Photo by Nicole Romanoff, Makeup by Candy Becker, Styling by Kate Matthews
What is one thing that most people don't know about you?
After high school, I went to school in Brandon, Manitoba for Criminal Justice, hoping to work in parole or probations (I only got 1.5-2 years under my belt before music took over).
Do you have a favourite quote? And why is it your favourite?
“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”- John Wayne. My dad was a huge fan of old western movies. He had Multiple Sclerosis for as long as I can remember and he passed away just after my 16th birthday. My family and I were planning the funeral and we stumbled across that quote and we thought it was so fitting. Dad must’ve been terrified when he got his diagnosis all those years ago, but there was nothing he could do about it. So he saddled up and made the best of a bad situation. If he could do that, anyone can do that. I actually have the word “courage” tattooed on my left wrist.
What was the last book you read?
I’ve been reading quite a bit lately, and having a hard time getting into the last few books I started. But the last book I finished was either Over The Top by Jonathan VanNess, or The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty.
Photo by Nicole Romanoff, Makeup by Candy Becker, Styling by Kate Matthews
Any Netflix shows you’re binging?
I just CRUSHED The Tiger King. It was so good and so messed up I think I’m going to crush it all over again soon haha.
What musical artists are you listening to right now?
Love me some Lennon Stella. Kelsea Ballerini has a new album out that I’ve been enjoying as well.
If you could fix one thing in the world what would it be?
Just one, hey? Haha. Well. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this COVID-19 pandemic craziness, it’s that we take time for granted. There’s always so much to do, so many places to be, so many people to please, and there’s not enough time in the day for all of that. So we’re constantly “behind". I’ve really had the chance to slow down over the past few weeks, and I think maybe we all need a week or two every so often to focus on ourselves. To do things you’ve wanted to do but haven’t had time. To catch up on sleep, or just spend time with your friends and family. Or maybe just to not do anything at all, and just be
What’s a goal you’ve set for yourself in 2020?
The goal I set for 2020 was to get my first #1 at Canadian Country Radio. And just a few short weeks ago we did it!! So, I guess I need to come up with a new goal! Haha. :)
Photo by Nicole Romanoff, Makeup by Candy Becker, Styling by Kate Matthews
Can we expect any new music coming out this year?
You can! My next single is set to drop SO soon. (We haven’t formally announced the date or song yet but… trust me… it’s soon.)
What inspired you to book a photoshoot with me, and what did you use the photos for?
I was looking for some new promo photos and was hoping to find someone Saskatchewan based. I love working with Saskatchewan based people whenever I can, to wave my own Saskatchewan flag proudly and I stumbled upon your page on Instagram and was floored in the beauty, the colours, the simplicity and clarity of your photos. It’s always a bonus to support a woman, as well! These photos were used for EVERYTHING. Haha. Billboards, single art graphics, tour posters, and most recently, they’ll likely be on #1 plaques.
What is your favourite photo, and why?
HOW COULD I PICK JUST ONE PHOTO AFTER ALL THOSE BANGERS YOU TOOK!?!?!
Where can people follow you?
@jessmoskaluke on both Instagram and Twitter, and on YouTube and FB I’m Jess Moskaluke Music. Come join the fun! :)