Canada's Rising Star, Tia Wood, Shines Bright on New Single 'Stimulated'
- Anne Connor
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Anne Connor | The Sound Cafe
Photo Credit: MOM.
Canada’s rising star Tia Wood is back with a radiant new single, “Stimulated,” released via Sony Music Canada. A masterclass in R&B-infused pop, the track captures the heady, fluttering excitement of new love, and it’s nothing short of a joy to listen to.
Written by Tia alongside Kxhris (Jazmine Sullivan), Fortune (Coco Jones), and Darius Coleman (Renee Rap, Normani), and produced by Kxhris and Fortune, “Stimulated” is a playful, sultry anthem of modern romance.
Tia’s vocals glide effortlessly over slinky melodies as she sings of the early sparks that make a relationship feel electric: “Things you’ve awakened / Flipped the switch and turned me on” and “planned out dates on Tuesday / Lil movie night to set the mood.” It’s a song that feels bright, intimate, and immediately relatable, a sonic snapshot of those early, exhilarating moments when love feels new and full of promise.
“I wrote a love song!” Tia laughs. “It’s about loving those early sweet days in a relationship and it’s my ode to feeling lit up in the presence of someone else. I think that’s something we can all relate to. It’s a great feeling and I wanted to write a song that caught that vibe.”
2026 marks a milestone year for Tia, as she earns her second consecutive JUNO Award nomination for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Fans will also remember her unforgettable duet with global superstar Shawn Mendes on stage in Vancouver, a performance that showcased her effortless stage presence and vocal prowess.
Beyond the music, Tia has been an outspoken advocate for Indigenous rights and representation in the arts, amplifying voices and stories often overlooked in mainstream spaces.
Tia’s journey from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in central Alberta to national acclaim is as inspiring as it is impressive. Raised on traditional music and powwow songs, she was exposed to performance from an early age, cultivating a deep connection to her heritage. Her teenage years saw her absorbing a wide spectrum of influences, from Etta James and Amy Winehouse to contemporary trailblazers like SZA, Jessie Reyez, Leon Bridges, and Remi Wolf. By her 20s, Tia had amassed a substantial following as a social media creator, introducing Indigenous musical traditions to a global audience and blending them seamlessly with contemporary sounds.
Her debut EP, Pretty Red Bird (2024), laid the foundation for her distinctive sound—a rich fusion of R&B, pop, and Indigenous musical elements, threaded together with her velvety vocals. The EP explored the depth and complexity of young adult life, balancing classic instrumentation like piano and guitar with modern beats and hooks, crafting songs that are both intimate and universally resonant.
Songwriting, for Tia, has always been a vehicle for self-expression and emotional exploration. “It’s allowed me to open up and really dig into feelings,” she shares, a sentiment that resonates throughout Stimulated’s effervescent grooves and heartfelt lyrics.
Her growing list of accolades reflects this dedication: JUNO Award nominations in 2025 and 2026, multiple Women in Music Canada Awards nods, and recognition as an Amazon Music Artist to Watch all underscore her ascent as one of Canada’s most thrilling new talents.
With “Stimulated,” Tia Wood continues to prove why she’s a superstar-in-the-making. Her music is bold, heartfelt, and joyously alive, an invitation to feel, dance, and celebrate the thrill of love. Stay tuned: this is only the beginning for one of Canada’s brightest and most boundary-defying artists.
Awards & Nominations:
2026 JUNO Awards: Nominated, Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year
2026 Women in Music Canada Awards: Nominated, Artist of the Year
2025 JUNO Awards: Nominated, Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year; Performed alongside Snotty Nose Rez Kids
2025 Women in Music Canada Awards: Nominated, Artist of the Year
Amazon Music Artist to Watch
Photo Credit: MOM.
FOLLOW TIA WOOD
About The Writer:
Anne Connor has made significant contributions to The Sound Cafe through her insightful writing and support of emerging artists in the music scene. Her expertise and her passion for storytelling have helped elevate the platform's profile, fostering a deeper connection between artists and audiences.
With a real passion for global music, Anne's involvement as a juror for national awards underscores her commitment to recognizing and celebrating talent within the Canadian and wider global music community.
The Sound Café is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.
Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.
