In the Country with Dave Woods:
Ness

This month, the spotlight is on NESS.

Welcome to the Spotlight, Ness! When did you decide you wanted to become a country artist?
Thank you so much for having me, Dave. Your support of independent singers/songwriters is unmatched! I’ve wanted to be a singer my entire life. I was adopted at birth, both of my parents are white, and I was raised in the suburbs of London, Ontario, in a predominantly white neighbourhood. So, what does one do to fit in? They try to become the “laugh with me, not at me” girl, so theatre was my first love. For me, at a young age, there wasn’t much representation in the country scene, unfortunately, but we are getting better!

Who are a few of the artists – from any genre – who’ve influenced/inspired you on your path?
I am a big R&B fan of Mary J. Blige, Jasmine Sullivan, and Whitney Houston. Any singer who can do big riffs! Growing up, Céline Dion played a lot in my house, so she really has been a big influence! Dolly as well, everyone loves Dolly.

Tell us a bit about the writing behind your catchy single “Hungover In Heels”.
The writers of “Hungover In Heels” allowed me to take control of the song. When I heard the demo, some small parts were left out or mumbled, and I had the opportunity for input, and my input was heard. I was also lucky because AJAYE and Shawn, who are incredibly talented writers, allowed me to say, “Keep that line because it’s a NESS thing, or maybe can we repeat this?” It was “no Ness, you do it our way, or you can’t have this song”.

What do you love most about writing songs?
My earlier writing came from a place of hurt and anger. My writing style today comes from a place of healing and “idgaf” energy. So, my favourite part of writing is to see all the paths I’ve taken to get to where I’m at now. It’s also freeing to write down how rotten some people can be and have it resonate with soooo many people

If you could record a duet with any artist on the music scene, who would you choose and why?
Strategic artist speaking, Taylor Swift 100%. Our song would be top 10 for 20 consecutive weeks, haha, and I’d have Swifties on my side! Lifelong dream duet would be Dolly or Reba! They just seem larger than life, and I could digitally match their crazy energy vibes!

What do you find for you is the most challenging part of being an artist?
The most challenging part about being an artist is knowing that half of the people in the business aren’t your friends. Let’s keep it real. My music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s fine, but who’s going to go up to an artist and say, “I’ve heard your music, and I think it’s trash”? No one. They will come up to you and play nicely with you, and that’s how this cycle works. So, find genuine people who want you to win and give you constructive feedback (vice versa), and you’ll be okay!

You have a newly released single, “Not That Girl”! Tell us about it & what it means to you.
“Not That Girl” is an anthem for anyone going through life changes. (Especially after being played). It’s for the girls (and guys) who are done being strung along and toyed with. You guys, this is a song to crank up loud, call your friends, and say, “Let’s do a rage room.” It’s honestly one of my favourite songs!

What is one goal you have for your music career in 2026?
I want my music to connect with people in 2026, even if it’s just 1 person. If my music connects with you, you’ll get to know me a bit better.