Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: King Street Photo Studio
Newmarket-based indie pop/folk artist Sherry Jacoby recently released her latest single, “Constellation”, an ode to enduring love.
Sherry began writing “Constellation” in 2019 while performing aboard a cross-country VIA Rail journey from Toronto to Vancouver as part of the Artist on Board program. With lush acoustic arrangements and Jacoby’s ethereal vocals, the track transports listeners to that same feeling of awe and possibility.
Blending romantic lyricism and indie pop hooks, “Constellation” draws inspiration from artists such as Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Colbie Caillat. The track was produced by Austin-based Shannon McArthur (Dashboard Confessional), marking their third collaboration.
Now engaged to the person who inspired “Constellation”, Sherry is excited to perform the song at her wedding this fall. Since relocating from Toronto to Newmarket, she has also been connecting with her new local music community and booking performances throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
I had the opportunity to chat with Sherry about her new single, her musical journey so far, and what’s next.
Kat: Let’s start with Constellation. Can you tell us about the moment or memory that first sparked the idea for the song?
Sherry: The idea for the song came a few months into my relationship with my now fiancé, when my intuition told me it was a lasting love. Around that time, I was also practicing a cover of Bobcaygeon by The Tragically Hip, and the lyric ‘I saw the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time’ stood out to me. I think that line planted the seed to use constellations and stars as metaphors in my own music.
Kat: You began writing this track during a cross-country VIA Rail trip as part of the Artist on Board program, what was that experience like, and how did it influence your creative process?
Sherry: The VIA Rail trip was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a musician. I travelled from Toronto to Vancouver over four days, performing on the train several times a day. I loved meeting people from all over Canada and the world, and being taken out of my usual routines for this adventure really sparked my creativity. I think it opened up space for new songs to come through.
Kat: The song feels very intimate and visual. How did the natural landscapes, especially the Rocky Mountains shape the emotion and imagery in Constellation?
Sherry: Being surrounded by the natural landscapes, especially the Rocky Mountains, gave me a sense of wonder. It made me feel connected to something bigger than myself, and I think that shaped the theme of Constellation, which reflects the idea that love can last in a timeless way beyond the confines of our daily lives.
Kat: You mentioned you were at the start of a new relationship when you wrote the song, and now you’re engaged to that same person. How does it feel to look back on those early feelings through this song?
Sherry: This song captures the hope and optimism I felt at the very beginning of our relationship. Looking back now, it feels surreal to realize that those early feelings were right and that I could trust my intuition.
Kat: You’ve worked with producer Shannon McArthur on multiple songs now. What’s your creative dynamic like, and what did he bring to Constellation that elevated it for you?
Sherry: We have a really collaborative dynamic, and I love that Shannon brings ideas to my songs that I wouldn’t think of on my own. I usually bring him just vocals and guitar, and he adds the rest of the instrumentation. On Constellation, he added an ethereal electric guitar riff and piano that elevated the song. I kept mentioning that I wanted it to sound dreamy, and he helped bring that vision to life.
Kat: Constellation blends folk and indie pop in a really fresh way. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how do you see their impact coming through in this track?
Sherry: Some of my biggest inspirations are Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, and Colbie Caillat. I love their romantic lyrics, catchy indie-pop hooks, and strong storytelling, which really influence my own writing. Recently, my music was also compared to Anna Nalick, which was exciting because I’ve always admired her work.
Kat: You’ve relocated from Toronto to Newmarket, how has that move influenced your writing or your connection to the local music scene?
Sherry: Moving to Newmarket has given me a quieter environment and a stronger connection to nature, which I’m very grateful for. While I sometimes miss the buzz of Toronto, I’m glad there’s a local music community I can connect with here. My introduction to the local scene was the Burning Red Writers Round Songwriters Open Mic in Newmarket, which was a very welcoming environment. I’m also starting to perform my own shows in venues like farms and cafes, and those settings feel like a great match for my style of music.
Kat: Performing Constellation at your upcoming wedding is such a personal touch. What do you hope your guests (and fans) feel when they hear it?
Sherry: I’m looking forward to sharing it at my wedding. I hope it can transport people to that feeling of awe and possibility, the same emotions I felt when I wrote it. The line, “Even in darkness, there will be glimmer of the everlasting glow,” feels like a key part of the song’s message: that everlasting love is always there, through it all.
Kat: What’s something you learned about yourself while writing or recording this song?
Sherry: Writing Constellation taught me to be patient with songs. I wrote most of the song in 2019, but it wasn’t until about two years ago that I fully finished it. The chorus lyrics felt like a puzzle I was trying to solve, and it took the longest to uncover the lines that felt right. In the end, I’m glad I took my time with it, and it taught me to give my other songs the space they need too.
Kat: Lastly, what’s next for you after the release of Constellation, can fans expect more new music, a tour, or upcoming projects?
Sherry: In the next few months, I’m planning to play more live shows, especially around my local community. I’m also looking forward to recording more of my songs. A dream of mine has always been to release a full album, so that’s a goal I’m excited to work towards.
Connect With Sherry
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