“Heated Rivalry” is a wildly popular television show—based on a series of books by Rachel Reid—about two young, closeted hockey stars who fall in love. It’s written and directed by Jacob Tierney.

Naomi Fry has noted, in this magazine, that “to talk about ‘Heated Rivalry’ is to talk about the sex in ‘Heated Rivalry,’ which is plentiful, quite explicit, and, I’ll say it, pretty hot.”

But what struck me just as much as the steamy love scenes was the show’s soundtrack—an eclectic assortment of songs that spotlight independent Canadian artists, paired with an original score by the Quebec singer-songwriter Peter Peter.

The soundtrack has been the subject of exhaustive analysis among fans and the show’s success has relaunched bands into renewed stardom. Musicians are clamoring to be featured in the next season, per Tierney, with whom I chatted at the home of his writing partner, Michael Goldbach, on a quiet street in Toronto’s Trinity-Bellwoods neighborhood. Tierney wore a red hoodie and jeans, and had a scruffy beard and tousled, bleached-blond hair.

Down the hall, in the living room, was a makeshift writer’s room for Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry.”

Tierney was born in Montreal and began his career as a child actor at age six, working out of Montreal, Toronto, and Los Angeles.

He has always written scripts to a playlist and often asks the artists he listens to on repeat to write music for his projects. This includes Malajube, who scored Tierney’s 2009 film “The Trotsky,” and Peter Peter. At the time, they were both up-and-coming Montreal musicians who had never written music for TV or movies.

Tierney previously co-wrote and directed “Letterkenny” and directed the first two seasons of its spinoff, “Shoresy.” These shows featured a similar Canadian musical backdrop, curated with Tierney’s collaborator Jared Keeso.

Over time, the pair learned to pick the songs they wanted before shooting began.

It’s convenient that songs by independent Canadian bands tend to be cheaper, but, in reality, Tierney chooses the music because it’s just what he likes.

His Apple Music Replay paints a wider picture.

“Heated Rivalry” doesn’t just feature a lot of Canadian music—it’s a Canadian story, through and through.

I can’t remember the last time that a TV show permeated so many aspects of my life.

So, what is he listening to now?