Montreal singer-songwriter reflects on family influence, songwriting process, and preparing for her first Toronto performance.
Montreal singer-songwriter Avril Jensen says music has never felt like something she chose.
With both parents musically inclined, ending up working in the industry seemed more like an inevitability.
“I’ve kind of always been surrounded by music. My dad is a musician. He had a home studio. I’ve been surrounded by artists my whole life,” said Jensen, ahead of a live performance in Toronto.
Jensen describes her upbringing as creatively immersive. That early exposure, she says, gave her both access and confidence to pursue music as a career.
Jensen’s debut album draws from songs written in her teenage years, a period she describes as emotionally intense and creatively unfiltered.
“It’s a compilation of songs I wrote from like 15 to probably 18 or 19. A lot of very vulnerable songs, and also random stories. It’s kind of just what was going on in my head.”
Jensen says her songwriting process is intentionally fluid, often shifting between starting with lyrics or melody depending on the moment. Her music video for I Might Jump Out of the Car reflects what she describes as an existential and absurdist mindset during her late teens.
“Most of the time now it starts with writing lyrics. But sometimes I’ll have a flash of a melody and record it, then add lyrics later. It really goes both ways,” said Jensen.
Despite growing recognition, she notes she doesn’t follow strict pre-show rituals. Instead, she leans on spontaneity and her band’s support to ground her performances.
“I used to be really anxious. Now I just kind of say, ‘screw it,’ and jump around. I trust my band a lot, they’re so professional.”
For Jensen, the highlight of performing is simple: connection.
“I just like to sing. It’s an opportunity to have fun, and to make sure the crowd feels that too. When it turns into a big party, that’s the best part,” said Jensen.
Jensen has received award nominations and growing attention, but says recognition still feels surreal.
Like many emerging artists, she describes experiencing imposter syndrome, especially when stepping onto new stages in cities like Toronto.
Though she is fluent in both English and French, Jensen primarily writes in English, influenced by the artists she grew up listening to.
“I think most of my influences were Anglophone. That definitely affected it,” said Jensen.
Recently she has begun writing more in French as well, calling it a fun challenge that reconnects her with Quebec’s music scene.
When asked about advice for aspiring musicians, Jensen emphasized that repetition and consistency matter more than anything else.
Looking ahead, Jensen plans a busy summer of performances, including shows in May and festival appearances in Quebec. She is also entering a new writing phase for her next project.
