Alberta’s own Brettyn Rose is having a career-defining year, stepping into the spotlight as a certified “Country Artist to Watch in 2026”. Fresh off two Country Music Alberta Award nominations—including Horizon Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter(s) of the Year—the Okotoks native is parlaying that momentum into the announcement of her highly anticipated debut EP, The Wild West, arriving May 8, 2026.
With her brand-new single, “Leavin’ On My Lips,” Rose delivers a windows-down anthem that perfectly blends traditional country storytelling with the commanding, radio-ready vocals that have made her a national semi-finalist in the SiriusXM/CCMA Top of the Country competition. We sat down with Brettyn to discuss the inspiration behind her upbeat new track, the evolution of her sonic identity, and what it feels like to be at the heart of Canada’s country music conversation. —Noa Nichol
The “Artist to Watch” Glow: You’ve been named a 2026 “Artist to Watch” by Front Porch Music and a SiriusXM/CCMA Top of the Country semi-finalist. Does being the “one to watch” make you feel more pressure, or does it just put an extra spring in your step when you head into the studio?
I’m very honoured and thankful for this recognition I’ve received, it feels like I’m catching a few glimpses of the work and passion I’ve put into my career paying off. It definitely motives me more to continue down this path and makes me want to continue putting pieces of this puzzle together. I’m more excited than ever to see what the future holds for myself and my music.
The Nashville Spark: “Leavin’ On My Lips” was born during your very first trip to Nashville. What was it about the energy of Music City that helped you and your co-writers find that “unforgettable hook”?
Yes, I definitely think being in Nashville helped spark the energy and vibe of this song. I wrote “Leavin’ on My Lips” with Chris Yurchuck and Jesse Slack, two amazing songwriters. It was my first time in Nashville, first time meeting them, and first time writing with them. It’s hard not to feel inspired when you’re in Music City, there is just something in the air in Nashville. I could feel that energy as soon as I landed and especially when I was in writing sessions. I always get a little bit nervous the first time writing with anybody because you just never know how it might go, but Chris and Jesse are great and they really helped me capture the energy that this song has. It was a super fun writing session and I think that really translates in the song as well.
Solo Start to Soaring Finish: The new single starts with your vocals completely unaccompanied before the arrangement widens. Was it a conscious choice to let your voice “stand alone” at the start to set the tone for this new chapter?
My producer, Matty McKay, had the idea to start the song with just my vocals. I absolutely loved the idea when he first brought it up. One of my favorite parts of the track is when the drums come in after a few lines, I think isolating the vocals at the start makes the groove coming into the track much more impactful. Recording vocals is one of my favorite parts about the recording process. I always put a lot of thought and care into my vocal delivery so this song was a really fun one to record!
The Guitar Solo Struggle: You’ve mentioned that the mid-song guitar solo took numerous takes, and they were all great. How hard was it to finally pick the “one,” and does that solo represent the “hint of sparkle” you like to weave into your music?
One of my favorite memories of making this song was being in the studio with my producer, Matty McKay, and watching him create this solo. He’s a phenomenal guitar player and he also puts so much thought and effort to everything he creates. He tried so many different variations of the solo and he did lots of takes to ensure it was just the right one. We eventually narrowed it down to two different solos, he put them both in the track so we could live with them for a bit and go back and forth. We eventually decided on the one that is now in the song, which was always my favorite solo from the beginning. I definitely think this solo is an example of the sparkle I always like to leave in my tracks. The sparkle might be a different thing for each track but I definitely think the musicality of this song is what really brings it to life and helps it to shine.
The Milestone EP: Your debut EP, The Wild West, drops May 8. Since it reflects your formative years growing into adulthood, which track on the project felt the most “raw” or “honest” to write?
Definitely the track, “That Ain’t You,” is the most raw and honest song I’ve probably ever written. In 2021, my parents very suddenly split up on the part of my father deciding to leave. I’m very thankful to have grown up in a happy and loving household – we were a tight knit family, my siblings and I never saw our parents fight or anything like that. With growing up in this way, when he decided to leave, it was a complete blindside and the image I had of my dad was shattered. I could no longer recognize him and I couldn’t understand why he was doing the things he was doing. I started writing this song after almost a year of processing all of this. I then brought what I had to my friend Mallory Johnson, told her my story, and she helped me finish the song. This song encapsulates everything I was feeling and struggling to say to my dad at the time. This one means a lot to me, I’m very proud of this song.
Awards Night Prep: You’re heading into the Country Music Alberta Awards with two big nominations: Horizon Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter(s) of the Year. What’s the first song that goes on your “getting ready” playlist for a big awards night?
I lean toward songs that really make me feel empowered or that are simply just fun songs. Probably anything Shania Twain, I’m also loving Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson right now – other female artists who have done and are succeeding at what I’m also trying to do is really inspiring on exciting nights. One of my guilty pleasures songs is “Tight Fittin’ Jeans” by Conway Twitty. Anytime I’m feeling anxious or need to hype myself up, that song is going to be played!
The “Simple Room” Vibe: “Leavin’ On My Lips” is an ode to the feeling that just being in the same room as someone you love is enough. When you aren’t on the road or performing at CCMA House, what does your perfect “quiet night at home” look like?
I absolutely love getting to have a quiet night at home, I’m grateful to have a safe and loving place to end my days and unwind. A perfect night at home to me involves cooking a nice dinner like steak, doing my skincare, having pajamas on, and either reading a good book or watching reality TV on the couch. My family and friends joke that I can be a bit of a grandma at times!
Okotoks Roots: You’re proud to be from Okotoks, Alberta. How has growing up in the Alberta country scene shaped that “traditional storytelling” style that critics are currently raving about?
I love being from Alberta and I loved growing up here. I think a lot of great country music has come out of Alberta because the people here have characteristics like kindness, being hardworking, and having perseverance, which can all contribute to telling great stories. There’s so much history in Alberta in terms of agriculture and the western lifestyle that there’s always inspiration to find in order to write country music. There’s so many stories that live here in Alberta, it’s very inspiring.
The Evolution of “Wild West”: Your single “Wild West” earned you a Songwriter(s) of the Year nod. Since your EP shares that name, can we expect the whole project to follow that same “classic-meets-contemporary” lane?
Yes, I think through creating this EP, I’ve really started to find my own sound and identity as an artist. I really do have a love for both classic and contemporary country music. To me, a lot of these songs have some classic country elements mixed with modern styles. Even in the future, I would love to continue exploring a balance of classic, but contemporary-feeling country music.
Windows-Down Energy: You’ve described your new music as having “windows-down energy”. If we were to hop in your car right now, what are three other Canadian country artists we’d find on your current heavy rotation?
There’s so many amazing Canadian country artists right now! I’ve really been loving Meghan Patrick, Kalsey Julyk, and Shantaia! I really look up to all three of these female artists – they’re amazing and so inspiring!
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