The Rise of Jesse Roper: A True Canadian Music Story

Jesse Roper has carved out a notable place in Canada's independent music scene

Jesse Roper, a blues-rock guitarist and singer from Metchosin, British Columbia, has carved out a notable place in Canada's independent music scene with his electrifying performances and soulful sound. His journey to success, however, was anything but conventional.

Growing up in the small town of Metchosin on Vancouver Island, Jesse began playing guitar at the age of six. Despite his early passion, he was hesitant to share his talent. "I was scared to go on stage or play in front of people," Jesse admitted in a 2014 interview. "My buddies in high school all knew I played guitar, but I kind of hid it away. I had no desire to play in a band. It was very closeted for me." 

It wasn't until his late twenties that Jesse confronted his stage fright. He began performing at local pubs and events around Victoria, gradually building confidence. His dynamic guitar skills and engaging stage presence quickly attracted attention, leading to larger audiences and a growing reputation.

In 2013, Jesse released his debut album, Son of John, featuring the hit "Yukon Girl." The album's success marked a turning point in his career, propelling him into the spotlight and solidifying his status as a rising star in the Canadian music scene. 

Jesse's musical style is a fusion of various genres. In a 2024 interview, he described it as "rootsy bluesy folky rocky country groovy dancy bouncy swingy with a hint of heavy metal snuck in sometimes." His influences range from AC/DC and Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Elmore James. citeturn0search0

Beyond his musical pursuits, Jesse finds balance through hobbies like gardening. "Gardening takes my head away," he shared. "I need to have things that take my head away from music completely. And if I don’t, I just kinda go coo-coo." citeturn0search2

Jesse's songwriting process is often spontaneous and intuitive. Reflecting on his song "Cool Whip," he explained, "I just decided to do a writing exercise: the first riff that came to my mind, I would record it and build a song around it. I never do that... I came up with the boo-doo-doo-doo and I was in a goofy mood and I was like, That’s kinda dope… so I did a little rhythm around it and I was groovin’!" 

Today, Jesse Roper continues to tour across Canada, captivating audiences with his powerful performances and authentic sound. His journey from a shy guitarist to a celebrated musician is a testament to overcoming fear and embracing one's true passion.

Listen to Jesse Roper on The Bay 88.7FM.

With quotes from: Times Colonist, StarryMag, The Nav