Interview: Jennifer Foster New Single "Shy" Out Friday!

Interview with Jennifer Foster. New Single "Shy" out Friday February 27, 2026.  

What inspired the creation of this single?

This single is part of an album ("Powerline") that’s deeply personal and inspired by the place I grew up. It’s an expression of love and regret, and how we can sometimes wish we could show up for others, or ourselves, in a better way. It’s about hoping for another chance to get it right. 

What story or message does the song convey?

“Shy” is actually the name of a horse. The backstory is that I grew up on a little farm - kind of a hobby farm in New Brunswick, Canada. We had all sorts of animals over the years, and she was the last one - my dad’s pet, basically. Having moved to Toronto, I’d go back and visit and look after her while I was there. She was all by herself, but Dad didn’t want to get any more animals. He was getting older and, little did I know at the time, he was developing dementia.

So the song initially came out of a feeling of regret every time I left the farm to go back to Toronto - leaving Shy and leaving Dad, knowing Dad would be different the next time I saw him. I’ve always had a vague sense of wishing I could have done better, and the song is an expression of that - always wondering if I’ve been the best version of myself I could be in the situation. 

Can you tell us about the creative process?

I might be going about my day and a phrase with a melody attached will come to me. I’ll feel a pull, like there’s energy to it and I have to develop it. In the case of this song, I was actually in the barn with my guitar - this was after Shy was gone, and my parents were moving from the farm and I was saying my goodbyes. The song came through quite quickly and easily. I tweaked some of the phrases later on. 

 How does this song differ from your previous releases?

This particular track is a little different from any others I’ve recorded - it’s pop but has a bit of a soulful undercurrent. 

What challenges did you face while writing or recording?

Shortly after I recorded the bed tracks for this song, and the others on the album, I hit my head while skating and got a really bad concussion. I’d say the main challenge I faced was getting through that injury in order to get back into the studio and finish recording. It took a long time, and I also lost my dad during that period. I had to find a way back into the music after such a big blow. But once I did, everything really came together and it was magical. I was so full of gratitude to be making music again. 

Did you experiment with any new instruments, techniques, or styles?

My co-producer, Robbie Grunwald, and I had a really great collaboration on this song. He’s an amazing keyboard player and producer, and we were able to take time to experiment with the vibe. He plays Rhodes on it, and it sets the perfect sweet, nostalgic tone. 

Have you performed it live yet, and what was the audience’s reaction?

I’ve performed this song live numerous times, and I always set it up with the backstory. Audience members always come up to me afterward and want to talk about it - the song really seems to connect with people emotionally. 

Is this single part of a larger project, like an album or EP?

This track is the first single off my new full-length album called Powerline. 

Anything Else You'd Like Your Fans to Know.

Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy the album when it is released on April 3, 2026.