Rider Essentials: Jess Moskaluke

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, Jess 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 no. 1 Country Girls.

The 2017 JUNO Award winner for ‘Country Album of the Year’, Jess 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 recently took home the 2020 WCM Award for ‘Country Artist of the Year’.

She released latest album, The Demos in February, which features Country Girls, Halfway Home, top 20 single Mapdot, her Leave Each Other Alone collaboration with our very own Travis Collins – which was our Song of the Day back in May – and her current single Nothin' I Don't Love About You. The Demos came to be after international travel came to a halt, and it was evident that she wouldn’t be making it down to Nashville to record the new songs she had been working on.

She recently scored four Canadian Country Music Award nominations, including ‘Female Artist of the Year’ and ‘Album Of The Year’ for The Demos, with winners to be announced in late November.

We caught up with Jess to find out the things she always takes on the road with her for this week’s Rider Essentials.

1. AirPods

This probably sounds crazy, but these have been a complete game changer for me. I love taking a good noise cancelling headphone on the road. Whether it’s to focus on work, listen to a new mix, not be distracted during an interview, or even just to take a peaceful nap – haha! These are perfect for all of the above, while still being totally hands-free for a phone-pacer like me.

2. Humidifier

Here in Canada, tour buses, planes and hotel rooms are all typically SO dry. As someone who uses their vocal cords for a living, dry can be really damaging to your instrument. I’m not as good at drinking water as I should be, so keeping a humidifier in my bunk or beside the nightstand always keeps the room (and my voice!) a little more comfortable.

3. Straws

Again, this probably seems strange, but they’re a really great tool to warm up your voice before a show without placing any strain on your outside muscles. There are tons of great exercises out there that have you sing through a straw to get you ready to perform confidently, comfortably, and safely! My boys and I always “lockdown” the dressing room an hour before the show to warm up this way!

4. Journal

This is a new “must-have” for me! I recently got into journaling as a way to decompress, usually at the end of the day. I love writing what I’ve accomplished in the day, what I have yet to do tomorrow, what I’m thankful for, what I might’ve learned, and any other thoughts/scribbles I might feel the need to jot down. 

5. My own pillow

Although, I probably should start, I don’t bring my own pillow everywhere. Only when we’re travelling on the bus. It’s a little annoying to pack, but if you’re sleeping in the same place every night, like you do on a tour bus, it’s absolutely worth it! Sometimes those small little comforts from home can really make a big difference.

Keep up to date with Jess Moskaluke, follow her on Facebook here.

For more of our Rider Essentials series, go here.

Image: via Facebook