Andie Therio didn’t set out to write a breakthrough song with “Worth the Rodeo.” It started as something more personal—therapy, really. But sometimes the most intimate songs end up being the most universal.
“When I wrote ‘Worth the Rodeo,’ I was going through a big period of questioning about life choices, dreams and everything that comes with chasing a passion,” she explains. The honesty comes through immediately. “The song came from this need to remind myself that no matter how bumpy the ride gets, it’s still worth it. The melody came quickly, almost like it wanted to encourage me to push forward. That energy gave the lyrics a kind of freedom and I think it’s that mix of vulnerability and drive that makes the song feel both personal and relatable.”
For someone who’s been public about anxiety, writing isn’t always easy. “Writing helps me name what I’m feeling and often gives me the distance I need to process it,” Therio explains. “But sometimes, it also forces me to sit with those emotions a little longer than I’d like. It can be uncomfortable, but that’s where the truth of a song often lives. It’s a therapeutic process, even when it’s tough.”
The rodeo metaphor isn’t accidental. Ask her about the wildest parts of her journey, and she doesn’t sugar-coat the reality. “Honestly, building my music career independently has been the wildest ride of all. There have been moments of pure joy like my first shows or hearing a song on the radio, and others full of doubt. What’s kept me going is staying true to my vision and surrounding myself with people who believe in what I do. That support makes all the difference.”
Watch the video for Worth The Rodeo below:
Self-taught and stubborn in the best way, Therio built her career without a blueprint. She admits she’s not great at pausing to appreciate how far she’s come. “I don’t take enough time to stop and reflect, but once in a while, I’ll listen to an old demo or see someone connect with a song and I realize how far I’ve come. I started with nothing and built something real, one step at a time. It’s a reminder to be proud of the journey, not just focused on the next goal.”
Her influences run deep through country’s current landscape. “In country, I really admire artists like Ella Langley and Chris Stapleton for their vulnerability. I also love the writing of Tenille Townes: she is an incredible storyteller who leaves space for emotion and interpretation. Her authenticity has deeply shaped the way I write.”
The venues she’s played tell their own story—from cramped basement clubs to festival main stages. “Every stage teaches me something. Small venues have helped me build a real, honest connection with the audience: it’s more raw and emotional. Festivals bring a whole different energy: more explosive, more spontaneous. I think that balance has helped me grow a lot as a performer.”
Last year’s “Home Sessions” project stripped everything back to basics. “I wanted to go back to the essence of the songs. Most of them were written in my living room, just me and a guitar and I wanted to share that raw side. Stripping them down made me reconnect with what they really meant to me and I think listeners felt that honesty too.”
When “Golden Wings” hit SiriusXM’s rotation, it marked a milestone. But ask Therio what success looks like, and the answer isn’t about charts. “To me, real success is when someone messages me saying a song helped them through something. Of course I’m proud of the numbers and the radio plays, but it’s the human connection that means the most. If my music can do that, I know I’m on the right path.”
Genre boundaries don’t interest her much. Country, pop, folk—she pulls from whatever serves the song. “I love blending genres! It gives me creative freedom. Right now, I’m curious about adding more organic textures, maybe even some blues, rock or Americana influences. But no matter the style, storytelling will always be at the heart of what I do.”
With festival season approaching, she’s thinking about what drives her work these days. “People. Conversations. Quiet moments in nature. I’m in a phase where I’m trying to slow down a bit so I can truly listen to what I want to say next. There are new songs on the way and honestly, I think they might surprise even me!”
The upcoming summer shows will feature “Worth the Rodeo” alongside tracks from her 2023 album “Back to You.” Since her 2022 debut EP “She’s Good,” Therio has played Quebec’s biggest stages—Festival Country Lotbinière, Lasso Montréal, Festival Western de St-Tite—and ventured as far as Edmonton for the CCMA Country Crawl. Her November 2023 album launch sold out in Montréal, and the title track hit over 10,000 Spotify streams in its first week.
None of these milestones happened overnight. Therio’s path has been deliberately independent, building audience and credibility one show at a time. The approach suits someone who values connection over everything else. When fans message her about how a song helped them through difficult times, that’s when she knows the work matters.
Summer festival stages await, along with whatever creative surprises she has in store. For now, that’s enough. The ride continues, and as she’s learned to trust, it remains worth it.
Photos: Ariane Samson
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