Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Heliara returns with “I Know That You Love Me,” a refreshingly honest and heartfelt pop track about the beauty and complexity of loving – and being loved by – your opposite. As the newest offering from her upcoming EP Everything’s a Love Song, the single captures the contradictions of real-world relationships, embracing both their joy and imperfection with wit, vulnerability, and irresistible rhythm.

“Falling in love with your polar opposite has its beauties and challenges and this song documents the journey of a very real long-term relationship,” Heliara shares. “It may not be your typical love song, but it is a love song nonetheless, infused with the vulnerability, quirkiness and authenticity that typically characterizes my songwriting.”

1. What can you share with readers about your new project?
Throughout Fall 2025 and Winter 2026, I am progressively releasing tracks off my upcoming EP “Everything’s a Love Song”, which contains 6 songs about 6 different types of love. When I was in university many years ago, I studied Ancient Greek, but it was just recently that I learned that the Ancient Greeks conceptualized love as having at least 6 different forms. And what is astonishing to me is that each type of love identified by the Ancient Greeks corresponds to a song, a message and a vibe on my EP. So I guess I am really not reinventing anything!  My lead single “Self-love” came out in September 2025, and it corresponds to the concept of “philautia” in Ancient Greek. It combines pop and rock sensibilities and is playful, empowering and has a little bit of attitude. It is a song for all people, and inspired by my perspective as a mother of two young children embracing the beauty and chaos that life brings.

In November 2025, I released my second track: “I know that you love me”, which corresponds to the notion of “eros” – love between a romantic couple. This song documents my very real experience of falling in love with my polar opposite and contains my signature vulnerability and quirkiness. The title is a reference to the fact that my husband and I have different love languages and the song recognizes that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

The next few tracks – each corresponding to a new type of love — will be released over the coming weeks so stay tuned!

2. How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
I am particularly excited about my EP “Everything’s a Love Song” because it is an exploration, a real deep-dive into what it means to love and be loved. It is also an exploration of musical genres, with each song having its own vibe and colour. You will hear everything from RnB-inspired vocal stacks to lo-fi chill beats to upbeat pop rock rhythms.

3. What about this single (project) makes you most proud?
I think that I am the most proud of my relatability as an artist. It is such an honour when people come up to me after live performances and say “I really relate to your music”. To be able to give a voice to those that see themselves reflected in my own human struggles and vulnerability is huge for me.

4. Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
In addition to my overarching goal of exploring different musical genres and love in its many forms, I have included more targeted messages in different songs. For example, in my lead single “Self-love” I chose to include the awkward yet important phrase “pelvic floor” in an effort to raise awareness for the importance of post-partum pelvic floor health care for women. Having gone through birth not too long ago (and still feeling the aftermath!), I think it is important to talk about these very real things. I don’t know if the term “pelvic floor” has ever been sung before in a pop rock song, but it has now! 🙂

The notion that no-one is unlovable, that no-one is “impossible to love” is another example of an message that is important to me and that I wanted to communicate in this release: my fourth track “Impossible to love”, which will be released in Winter 2025, turns the title on its head in communicating this message.

5. What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
Life is so short, and we don’t know how much time we have on this beautiful planet, so I think it is important to use our time in the most meaningful way possible. And what could be more meaningful than creating music? Music is eternal, universal and transcendental, and it connects us as human beings. I don’t really think it is a “choice” for me at this point: I hear melodies and lyrics in my head and I am inhabited by a desire to express and share, in part for myself and in part for others. I want people to know that no-one is alone on this human journey.

6. If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
I would love to collaborate with Chase Van Dusen, an outstanding local singer-songwriter here in Ottawa. He is known for his powerful songwriting and diverse musical style and shares my commitment to creating authentic, meaningful music. You can check out his website here: https://chasevandusenmusic.com/about. He recently released a highly anticipated album entitled “Lost and Found”, which you can find on all streaming platforms.

7. What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I really admire Charlotte Cardin (a fellow Canadian) as an artist. She has an incredible voice and vibe and I love how she weaves French and English lyrics together in her track “Feel Good”. I have some French lyrics on my “Starry Skies” album (released in 2022) and I would like to record some more French-language tracks in the future.

8. Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
I would love a follow on Instagram (@heliara_music) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/heliara.music/)! Cheers!

9. I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Thank you very much for this interview and for the fabulous work that you do in promoting independent artists. We appreciate it! :