Davis: Coming up, it's XOLEX.

♪ From strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ It's a healing, like, music's a healing property.

And I definitely think it heals me when I write about it.

♪ If I wanted what you wanted ♪ ♪ Wonder what we could have been ♪ ♪ But instead ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ ♪♪ Davis: Funding for "Studio 3 LIVE" is provided by... Announcer: Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, where employees from over 20 countries speak over 20 languages, is committed to enriching the lives of all Iowans by funding strong communities and diverse cultural organizations.

Learn more at prairiemeadows.com.

Announcer ♪ 2: Funding for this program was provided by Friends, the Iowa PBS Foundation, as well as generations of families and friends who feel passionate about the programs they watch on Iowa PBS.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] Good evening, and welcome to "Studio 3 LIVE."

I'm your host, Mickey Davis.

Tonight we are joined by rising country artist XOLEX.

Her musical journey began as a child in the small town of Chariton, Iowa, and she has continued to pursue her passion now based in Nashville, the home of country music.

XOLEX's sound mixes pop sensibilities, soulful lyrics, and a bit of rock 'n roll behind songs that pull from personal experience to explore universal themes.

Recently, teaming up with producers who have worked with stars such as Garth Brooks and Faith Hill, much of her story has yet to be written.

Please help me welcome to the stage XOLEX.

[ Applause ] [ "Ain't Buyin' It" plays ] ♪ Mama said, "Be the bigger person" ♪ ♪ Dad says, "Hit him where it hurts" ♪ ♪ I'll stand here with my arms wide open ♪ ♪ Little do you know I know about her, yeah ♪ ♪♪ Whoo!

♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Caught you in a lie last Sunday evening ♪ ♪ Said you were hanging out with your friends ♪ ♪ I drove by and I saw you leavin' ♪ ♪ A cheap motel off of highway 10 ♪ What?

♪ Yeah, I did ♪ ♪ You can cheat, you can lie ♪ ♪ But you ain't gonna change my mind ♪ ♪ 'Cause I got eyes, and I'm not blind ♪ ♪ So I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ And you'll try to come back home ♪ ♪ But I'm so glad you're gone ♪ ♪ 'Cause you ain't got nothing I want ♪ ♪ And I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ Haven't looked back since the day I left you ♪ ♪ And all the hell you put me through ♪ ♪ I can't wait till the way you done me ♪ ♪ Finally gets done to you, ooh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ You can change, you can lie ♪ ♪ But you ain't gonna change my mind ♪ ♪ 'Cause I got eyes, and I'm not blind ♪ ♪ So I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ And you swear you ain't done wrong ♪ ♪ And there wasn't nothing going on ♪ ♪ But it's always the same old song ♪ ♪ And I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ [ Guitar solo ] ♪♪ Whoo!

♪♪ ♪ You can cheat, you can lie ♪ ♪ But you ain't gonna change my mind ♪ ♪ 'Cause I got eyes, and I'm not blind ♪ ♪ And I'm not buyin' it ♪ ♪ And you'll try to come back home ♪ ♪ But I'm so freakin' glad you're gone ♪ ♪ 'Cause you ain't got nothing I want ♪ ♪ And I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ One more time.

♪ I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ I ain't buyin' it ♪ ♪ No, no, I ain't buyin' it ♪ Audience: Whoo!

Whoo!

[ Cheers and applause ] Tell us a little bit about yourself.

How did you get started in music?

Um, I always get asked that question.

It's so funny 'cause it leads me to COVID.

And back in 2020, I obviously wasn't working a lot.

I've been writing my whole life, and so I was kind of like, "Let's go to the studio for fun.

Let's just see what I can do."

And then that kind of transpired me to where I am now.

Um, ended up leaving my corporate job and moved to Nashville, and I've been there ever since, so.

Uh, what's the inspiration behind your name XOLEX?

Okay, so this might just be, like, an identity crisis back in 2020, but I wanted to be obviously an artist.

And at the -- at that point in time, I didn't want to be Alexis Curran because I was kind of, I was like, "I don't know what genre I'm really trying to dip in."

Um, so I came up with XO, like, as in hugs and kisses, which my family uses a lot, and then Lex, 'cause a lot of people call me Lex or Lexi or Alexis, you know.

So I just -- That's what I did is XOLEX, and it kind of just stuck.

And I envisioned, like, XOLEX in, like, bright lights diamond behind me.

And I was like, "Five letters is sick!"

I like the five♪ letter look.

And, um -- Yeah.

Yeah.

It feels like it can be a neon pretty easily, for sure.

Exactly.

That's why I was like, "It sounds cool."

Um, so that's where it came from.

But now I'm starting to like Alexis Curran.

So maybe in the future you might see Alexis Curran as like the actual artist name, but I'm still gonna keep my signature XOLEX.

Sure.

Like, 'cause I mean, that's who -- That's -- That's who I was in my identity crisis, so.

Yeah.

[ "Sure Know How to Pick 'Em" plays ] ♪ Ooh, yeah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm a magnet for fixer uppers ♪ ♪ I'm drawn to some damaged goods ♪ ♪ I eat baggage like it's supper ♪ ♪ No, I've never understood ♪ ♪ How I can walk through an orchard ♪ ♪ Looking for torture ♪ ♪ Leave it to me to always wind up with the bad things ♪ ♪ Sour grapes on the vine ♪ ♪ Rotten apples on the tree ♪ ♪ Throw 'em in the basket, take 'em home with me ♪ ♪ Always cookin' up a mess for myself with 'em ♪ ♪ Leave a taste in my mouth never shoulda had ♪ ♪ Shoulda seen from the start they were going bad ♪ ♪ Mama tried to warn me, but I don't listen ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm, I sure know how to pick 'em, yeah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ If I had myself a garden of every ripe one I passed by ♪ ♪ Even then I'd still be starvin' ♪ ♪ 'Cause they'd never catch my eye ♪ ♪ Oh, I fill up my basket with ♪ ♪ What should be last picked ♪ ♪ Always leaves me out to dry ♪ ♪ Anything but easy as pie ♪ ♪ Sour grapes on the vine ♪ ♪ Rotten apples on the tree ♪ ♪ Throw 'em in the basket, take 'em home with me ♪ ♪ Always cookin' up a mess for myself with 'em ♪ ♪ Leave a taste in my mouth never shoulda had ♪ ♪ Shoulda seen from the start they were going bad ♪ ♪ Mama tried to warn me, but I don't listen ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm, I sure know how to pick 'em ♪ ♪♪ Here we go.

♪♪ ♪ Ooh♪ ooh, ooh♪ ooh ♪ ♪ I'm just a homegrown piece ♪ ♪ Ooh♪ ooh, ooh♪ ooh ♪ Always wind up with the bad things ♪ ♪ Sour grapes on the vine ♪ ♪ Rotten apples on the tree ♪ ♪ Throw em in the basket, take 'em home with me ♪ ♪ Always cookin' up a mess for myself with 'em ♪ ♪ Leave a taste in my mouth never shoulda had ♪ ♪ Shoulda seen from the start they were going bad ♪ ♪ Mama tried to warn me, but I don't listen ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm, I sure know how to pick 'em ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm, Sure know how to pick 'em ♪ Yeah!

♪ Mm♪ mmm, sure know how to pick 'em ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm, sure know how to pick 'em ♪ We love that!

There we go.

[ Cheers and applause ] There we go.

Recently, you were on kind of the most recent season of "American Idol."

Yeah.

Can you tell us a little bit about what that experience was like for you?

It was so surreal.

I mean, growing up in Chariton, Iowa, watching Carrie Underwood on my TV and then getting to sing in front of Carrie Underwood and having her say yes.

Like, looking back on it, it was kind of like a fever dream.

Like, I didn't even realize it happened to me until, like, days later.

Like, it didn't feel real.

Um, it was definitely a blessing.

And the people that I met, I've even wrote actually a few songs now with some of the artists that were on there.

Cool, very cool.

So at the end of the day, it was a great experience.

And I think anyone, you know, wanting to do "American Idol" in the future, like, they absolutely should 'cause regardless, I came out stronger.

I'm just way better around cameras now.

In the beginning, I was like frightened of the cameras 'cause they were so big and in my face.

Yeah.

And I'm like, "I'm not authentically myself right now.

You gotta back up."

So it definitely was -- It was good.

This next song is near and dear to my heart.

I don't like performing it live.

I'm gonna be honest.

Uh, it's just a very hard vocal song, but I will say it's probably the best song I've ever written lyrically, and it's what got me the golden ticket for "American Idol, all three yeses.

Yes!

[ Applause ] I sang it, and I got a yes from Carrie Underwood.

And that's all I needed.

I said, "I got you, girl.

I'll see you in Hollywood.

Don't worry about me."

[ Laughter ] Um, but a little backstory.

"Missing Her" is the song title, and it's pretty much about, um, someone loving the old version of you.

And it's -- It was very -- It was a hard pill for me to swallow.

And so I wrote about it 'cause that's my therapy.

I don't go to therapy.

I probably should, um... It is what it is.

And I hope you guys enjoy it.

So this is called "Missing Her."

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I know you still see her when you look at me ♪ ♪ Painted all our memories like a masterpiece ♪ ♪ Looking in the mirror sometimes I see her too ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Crazy what time can do ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Sometimes I wonder if our initials ♪ ♪ Are still painted under the bridge ♪ ♪ If your mama keeps a Polaroid ♪ ♪ Up on the front of the fridge ♪ ♪ That little girl in it ♪ ♪ Has learned a lot since then ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, would I get to live those years again ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪ Wishing who we are was still what we were ♪ ♪ And to have me back, you'd have to go back in time ♪ ♪ It's killing me you'll always see her first ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You're kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You say you hate that city life that I moved to ♪ ♪ Praying I come running back to my old roots ♪ ♪ The girl that you keep looking for ♪ ♪ When I come back to town ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ain't the same one I am now ♪ ♪ And you're kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪ Wishing who we are was still what we were ♪ ♪ And to have me back, you'd have to go back in time ♪ ♪ It's killing me you'll always see her first ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You're kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪ Missing her ♪ ♪ Kissing me ♪ ♪ Hung up on memories ♪ ♪ Boy, you make my whole heart hurt ♪ ♪ Like you're missing her ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I know you still see her when you look at me ♪ ♪ Painted all our memories like a masterpiece ♪ ♪ Yeah, you're kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪ Wishing what we are was still what we were ♪ ♪ And to have me back, you'd have to go back in time ♪ ♪ It's killing me you'll always see her first ♪ ♪ You're kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪ Missing her, kissing me ♪ ♪ Hung up on memories ♪ ♪ Boy, you make my whole heart hurt ♪ ♪ Kissing me like you're missing her ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ You're kissing me like you're kissing her ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] You studied marketing in school, right?

I did.

How -- How does that help you kind of in your in your career.

To be honest, it hasn't.

[ Laughs ] Like, I truly, like, feel like social media is, like, my worst enemy.

Like, one thing about being an artist, I love to write music and I love to be in the studio.

But obviously as an independent artist, you have to really be focusing on social media, and marketing wise for me, with social media, like, that's just not my go♪ to.

That's more my sister.

She helps me tremendously on that, along -- as my team does too.

But for me, like, career wise, I was super good doing the corporate things 'cause marketing corporate things were much easier than marketing myself.

Yeah.

Does that make sense?

Totally.

I'm just not a good marketer for myself.

And my dad gets on me on it.

He's like, "You gotta sell yourself.

You gotta sell yourself."

And I'm like, "I'll sing.

I'll show you guys I'm good."

Yeah.

Like, you know, but other than that, that's definitely one of, like, my faults is social media, especially in today's generation.

Well, I think there's such a tension there too, because like as a songwriter and creator, you want everything to feel authentic and organic.

Exactly.

And social media can feel so like you're doing this because you know, you're supposed to, right?

Exactly.

This one is also one of my faves.

So this is called "Rebel Child," and here we go.

♪♪ ♪ Mm ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You told me there's a line that I never should cross ♪ ♪ And I crossed it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You tried to teach me how to keep my cool ♪ ♪ But I lost it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ When you look at me, I bet you see ♪ ♪ Your future and your history ♪ ♪ Well, the apple didn't fall far from the tree ♪ ♪ There's a lot of you in me ♪ ♪ I'm a rebel child of a rebel child ♪ ♪ It's in my blood to just run wild ♪ ♪ Like yoo♪ oou used to doo♪ ooo ♪ ♪ Grandma prayed on a rosary ♪ ♪ To save your soul when you had me ♪ ♪ She knows what it's like to raise a child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Of a rebel child ♪ Yeah, you were a rebel, Dad.

Don't get it twisted.

♪♪ ♪ Mm ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, I know sometimes ♪ ♪ That you blame yourself for my actions ♪ ♪♪ ♪ But when you let a little girl out in this big world ♪ ♪ Things happen ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Wanna make you proud, God knows I've tried ♪ ♪ But I can't change who I am inside ♪ ♪ And I think you know the reason why ♪ ♪ I'm a little wrong, but I'll be alright ♪ ♪♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm a rebel child of a rebel child ♪ ♪ It's in my blood to just run wild ♪ ♪ Like yoo♪ oou used to doo♪ ooo ♪ ♪ Grandma prayed on a rosary ♪ ♪ To save your soul when you had me ♪ ♪ She knows what it's like to raise a child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Of a rebel child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm a rebel child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, ooh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You told me there's a line that I never should cross ♪ ♪ And I crossed it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You tried to teach me how to keep my cool ♪ ♪ But I lost it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm a rebel child of a rebel child ♪ ♪ It's in my blood to just run wild ♪ ♪ Like yoo♪ oou used to doo♪ ooo ♪ ♪ Grandma prayed on a rosary ♪ ♪ To save your soul when you had me ♪ ♪ She knows what it's like to raise a child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Of a rebel child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪♪ There you go.

[ Cheers and applause ] We're hearing tonight music that's more kind of country inspired.

I know pulling from a lot of the -- the producers and other musicians you're currently working with.

Who are some of the musicians kind of in your life that inspire you the most?

I'd say -- So, I actually moved to Nashville because I met Bobby Terry, who is one of my favorite producers in Nashville.

And he -- He's the one that's worked with Garth Brooks and Faith Hill.

And I idolize him because he can literally make an entire song.

Like, the whole entire band is him.

He can just do it all.

And that's like... It's -- It's super awesome to see as somebody who doesn't play an instrument.

I'm learning how to play guitar, but it's really -- it's really hard.

Um, but he plays it all.

And so I'm like, as an artist, that's kind of what I want to do.

So I don't have to have all this -- like, all these people help me to create the production of something if that makes sense.

And you kind of take what you've produced then and you hire a band and, you know, but you have that product... Yeah.

...that the two of you are able to kind of get exactly how you want it to sound and then bring musicians in.

Put me and Bobby Terry in the studio, and we can come up with a song in what, like three hours?

How often when you're, like, writing a song, you've got an idea for a song even, that you then bring to your producer, do you have an idea of like where he's going to take that?

Or are you kind of constantly surprised by where he goes with the -- with the material?

Uh, usually my typical, like, writing setup is I walk in, I kind of give them how I'm feeling or what I'm feeling or what I think would, like, people would eat up and I give them kind of like the hook vibes of what I kind of did.

And then Bobby or whoever I'm working with kind of just plays over the melody of my hook, and then from there we just create something good.

Like if I'm feeling it and if he's feeling it, then we just keep it going.

What -- What have been the biggest things that you've learned?

You know, as I hear you talk, you know, kind of relatively new to the music world, the music industry.

Working with a producer like him, like, what are some of the biggest things that you've learned in that process?

I think coming from Atlanta to Nashville and being with him, I think learning from him is that there actually are good people in the industry.

Um, I've experienced people who never have had good intentions with me.

Um, they see me as like kind of a money symbol and not an actual person.

And so I think working with Bobby has just tremendously helped me, like, see again that people are good, you know?

Um, and Nashville in itself, like, so many people have good intentions with you, whether you write with them, work with them, gig with them, they all just love music.

And that's what I, like, love about Nashville and living there and love about Bobby.

[ "Love Bomb" plays ] ♪ Mm, yeah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Liar, liar, set us on fire ♪ ♪ Burned us right down to the bone ♪ ♪ And when you kissed me ♪ ♪ It smelled like cheap whiskey ♪ ♪ Someone's perfume on your clothes ♪ ♪ I'm running out of vases for you pick me roses ♪ ♪ You're running out of faces And now I know it ♪ ♪ I had trust in you, now I got trust issues ♪ ♪ Watch it go up in flames with the smile on your face ♪ ♪ I had trust in you, you enjoyed the view ♪ ♪ Now you're down on your knees saying baby don't leave ♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Burn, burn, burn ♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Burn, burn, burn ♪ ♪ Ears are ringing, Sirens are singing ♪ ♪ Pick myself up from the ground ♪ ♪ Now it's my turn to watch you burn ♪ ♪ Your sorries won't keep me around ♪ ♪ I had trust in you ♪ ♪ Trust in you ♪ ♪ Now I've have trust issues ♪ ♪ Watch it go up in flames with a smile on your face ♪ ♪ I had trust in you ♪ ♪ Trust in you ♪ You enjoyed the view ♪ ♪ Now you're down on your knees saying baby don't leave ♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Burn, burn, burn ♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Burn, burn, burn ♪ Whoo!

[ Instrumental interlude ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I had trust in you ♪ ♪ Trust in you ♪ ♪ Now I got trust issues ♪ ♪ Watch it go up in flames with the smile on your face ♪ ♪ I had trust in you ♪ ♪ Trust in you ♪ ♪ You enjoyed the view ♪ ♪ Now you're down on your knees saying baby don't leave ♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Burn, burn, burn ♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Burn 'til there's nothing but ashes ♪ ♪ Burn, burn, burn ♪ ♪ Burn 'til there's nothing but ashes ♪ ♪ Learn, learn, learn ♪ ♪ Ooooh, learn ♪ ♪ Learn there's consequence to your actions ♪ ♪ Oh-oh ♪ Whoo!

♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You love bomb me ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Love bomb, love bomb ♪ ♪ Love bomb, love bomb ♪ ♪ Love bomb, love bomb ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Give it up for Diana.

She's going crazy with her harmonies over there.

[ Applause ] Growing up, I have had a hard time, especially the past two years, being where my two feet are.

Being present, right?

And I realized probably a few months ago, I'm like, "Ugh, I wish I was nicer to my mom."

'Cause she's, like, literally an angel.

Like, literally an angel.

And I'm like, "Why is, like, the people that I love so much, the people that I am the meanest to?"

No, it doesn't make sense.

So I was like, I'm going to write a song and hope she forgives me for all those horrible times I gave her.

[ Laughter ] Balance it out.

Yeah, it balances out, you know?

So this is called "Wonder Woman."

And this is for my wonder woman.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Hey wonder woman ♪ ♪ Look at that strength shining through ♪ ♪ I see the effort you put into everything you do ♪ ♪ And I wonder, woman ♪ ♪ Where'd you get that suit of armor?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ And how every crack in it somehow made you stronger ♪ ♪ And I wish ♪ ♪ One day I'll turn out like you and not like this ♪ ♪ I'm barely hanging on ♪ ♪ But I know one day I'll make it through ♪ ♪ 'Cause I learned it all from you ♪ ♪ You always find a way to make the good times last ♪ ♪ With faith like that ♪ ♪ Ooh, yeah ♪ ♪ With faith like that ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey, wonder woman ♪ ♪ Can we go back in time?

♪ ♪ Back to the days you put your life on pause ♪ ♪ So I could go live mine ♪ ♪ And I'll thank you woman ♪ ♪ Tell you it'll be alright ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'd choose you as my mama ♪ ♪ In every lifetime ♪ ♪ And I wish ♪ ♪ One day I'll turn out like you and not like this ♪ ♪ I'm barely hanging on ♪ ♪ But I know one day I'll make it through ♪ ♪ 'Cause I learned it all from you ♪ ♪ You always find a way to make the good times last ♪ ♪ With faith like that ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ooh, faith like that ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And when I have a little girl of my own ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I wish ♪ ♪ One day she'll turn out like you and not like this ♪ ♪ I'm barely hanging on ♪ ♪ But I know one day I'll make it through ♪ ♪ 'Cause I learned it all from you ♪ ♪ You always find a way to make the good times last ♪ ♪ With faith like that ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ With faith like that ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ There you have it, folks.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] There was a time where I looked at her and she's bawling, and I was, like, choking up in my vocal.

I said, "I can't even stare at her anymore over here."

Tell us the story behind the song "Had to Be a Cowboy."

Oh, yeah.

So this one is something that I actually went through.

Um, it kind of deals with someone meeting you and loving you and then leaving you when you didn't even want them in the first place.

[ Davis laughs ] You know?

I didn't even want you in the first place.

And then you made me fall in love with you, and then you left me?

Um, so that's kind of that, what that song's about.

But it's funny 'cause they always come back.

That cowboy came back.

When you -- When you take that, uh, like, do you take that idea of a song and bring it to other writers?

Like, how does -- how does it go from that inspiration to the finished product?

Yeah, so that day -- Who did I even write "Had to Be a Cowboy" with?

Uh, Thomas.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Clears throat ] So I went to him and I was like, down bad.

Like, I think I was like, just got done bawling, actually.

I was like, [ Tearfully ] "I need to write so big.

I need to write this right now."

And he was like, "What do you have in mind?"

And, um, another writer that I write with frequently -- His name's Jake.

He's phenomenal -- he's like, "I have this little hook, like, the melody hook."

And I was like, "Oh, my gosh.

We're doing that hook right now.

We're writing right now."

And I think the song was actually done within an hour.

And, um, once we did that demo, we all looked at each other like, "Oh, this is good."

Yeah.

Like, and you know, we write all the time.

So some days, you know, you just get used to having good songs, right?

But we looked at each other like, "We, if we do this right, this could be like a hit.

Like, this could be a Jessie Murph vibe.

Um, which we actually thought about, like, sending it to Jessie Murph and be like, "Would you want to do something like this?"

But I -- I was selfish, and I was like, I want to keep it for myself.

Yeah.

[ "Had to Be a Cowboy" plays ] ♪ Spent a lot of time building these walls up ♪ ♪ But like your boots, you wore 'em down ♪ ♪ Thought your saddle might just grow some roots ♪ ♪ When you blew into town ♪ ♪ Going strong like a Sunday service ♪ ♪ Felt the wait was finally worth it ♪ ♪ Everything was looking perfect ♪ ♪ But you just had to ride off, find another sunset ♪ ♪ Rope yourself a heart you ain't broke yet ♪ ♪ Had to be a lone wolf, had to be a Mustang ♪ ♪ Running wild like we never sparked a flame ♪ ♪ Like whoa, oh♪ oh, and you know, oh♪ oh ♪ ♪ Could've locked it down, boy ♪ ♪ But you had to be a cowboy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Is the grass really that green ovr the horizon?

♪ ♪ Or is that something you say ♪ ♪ To justify your way to your life whn ♪ ♪ You just don't wanna stay?

♪ ♪ Can't keep a southern wind from blowing ♪ ♪ Can't keep a tumbleweed tumbling ♪ ♪ Can't keep a runner from running ♪ ♪ 'Cause you had to ride off, find another sunset ♪ ♪ Rope yourself a heart you ain't broke yet ♪ ♪ Had to be a lone wolf, had to be a Mustang ♪ ♪ Running wild like we never sparked a flame ♪ ♪ Like whoa, oh♪ oh, and you know, oh♪ oh ♪ ♪ Could've locked it down, boy ♪ ♪ But you had to be a cowboy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ But you had to be a cowboy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ 'Cause you had to ride off, find another sunset ♪ ♪ Rope yourself a heart you ain't broke yet ♪ ♪ Had to be a lone wolf, had to be a Mustang ♪ ♪ Running wild like we never sparked a flame ♪ ♪ Like whoa, oh♪ oh, and you know, oh♪ oh ♪ ♪ You could've locked it down, boy ♪ ♪ But you had to let me down, boy ♪ ♪ Yeah, you had to be a cowboy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Yeah, you had to be a cowboy ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] You've talked a little bit about, um, you know, kind of brief interactions with the music industry or kind of the larger machine of music that puts it out.

And now, you know, I know you're kind of -- you, you I feel like you're kind of fiercely independent as an artist, right?

You're doing things your own way.

Yeah.

Working with producers you believe in.

What kind of prompted that change, and why is it so important to you to kind of be an independent artist?

I think going back to just being authentically yourself, I don't have anyone telling me who I need to be and what I need to write, and I think that's just what makes me, as an artist, genuinely happy doing it.

Because the moment you take that away from me, the moment I feel like my independence is gone, like, it's not fun for me anymore and it's not fun for anybody.

Yeah.

That's why a lot of people are actually going the route independently versus, you know, big companies wanting them because at the end of the day, making -- we make music because we love making music.

We don't make music for the money or for the fame.

Um, I mean, that just goes for me and who I surround myself with in Nashville.

Obviously some people are different, but I think being an independent artist like, yeah, it's tough.

And I do think being from Iowa, it's even tougher.

Um, but it's worth it, so.

Especially if you have a good support system.

Yeah.

Like I would not be here if I didn't have people every day texting me saying, "Hey, did you do this?

Hey, did you do that?"

Um, even at 27, like, I still need to, you know, get told, like, "What you're doing is -- is good and you're good at it, so keep up with it," you know?

Yeah, that's -- that's, uh, like you're building that intentional community around your music.

And you can't -- can't have success without that, right?

Exactly.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Angel on my shoulder ♪ ♪ Is telling me it's over ♪ ♪ Begging me to walk away ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Devil in disguise ♪ ♪ Curly hair and brown eyes ♪ ♪ I should have moved on yesterday ♪ ♪ Yesterday ♪ ♪ Baby, don't expect me to sit here and wait ♪ ♪ For you to get it together ♪ ♪ Think you're so clever ♪ ♪ Like you don't know right from wrong ♪ ♪ It is what it is ♪ ♪ Karma's a ----- ♪ ♪ That's what they said for so long ♪ ♪ I'll make it hurt, twist the knife ♪ ♪ Let it burn, wreck your life ♪ ♪ Just like you did to me ♪ ♪ You're blocking your blessing ♪ ♪ You say you love me ♪ ♪ What you mean?

Yeah ♪ ♪ What you mean?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ Taking trips round the sun ♪ ♪ Meeting your mom ♪ ♪ Meeting your mom ♪ ♪ Make it make sense ♪ ♪ Why you're scared of the label ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You say it feels right ♪ ♪ You say it feels right ♪ ♪ When you look into my eyes ♪ ♪ When you look into my eyes ♪ ♪ Baby, I've laid all my cards on the table ♪ ♪ For you to get it together ♪ Think you're so clever ♪ ♪ Like you don't know right from wrong ♪ ♪ It is what it is ♪ Karma's a ----- ♪ ♪ That's what they said for so long ♪ ♪ I'll make it hurt, twist the knife ♪ ♪ Let it burn, wreck your life ♪ ♪ Just like you did to me ♪ ♪ You're blocking your blessing ♪ ♪ You say you love me ♪ ♪ What you mean?

♪ ♪ Ooh♪ ooh ♪ ♪ What you mean?

♪ ♪ Ooh♪ ooh ♪ ♪ What you mean?

♪ ♪ Ooh♪ ooh ♪ ♪ Oh♪ oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Who do you think you are?

♪ ♪ Playing games with my heart ♪ ♪ Turns out I'm not that girl ♪ ♪ That'll stay till you get it together ♪ ♪ Think you're so clever ♪ ♪ Like you don't know right from wrong ♪ ♪ It is what it is ♪ ♪ Karma's a ----- ♪ ♪ That's what they said for so long ♪ ♪ Yeah, make you hurt, twist the knife ♪ ♪ Let it burn, wreck your life ♪ ♪ Just like you did to me ♪ ♪ You're blocking your blessing ♪ ♪ You say you love me ♪ ♪ What you mean?

Yeah ♪ ♪ What you mean?

Yeah ♪ ♪ What you mean?

♪ ♪ Ooh♪ ooh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ You say you love me ♪ ♪ What you mean?

Yeah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] So this one's called "Time Won't."

And it pretty much is I'm 27 now, and I realized the older I get, the more it's like -- like, it's already April.

And I swear it was just New Years, right?

So I was like, time is so valuable.

And exactly what I was saying earlier, to be where your two feet are is so important.

And the older I get, obviously, the more wiser I become.

And um, so I wrote this song and I wrote it with Bobby Terry, who is one of my favorite producers in Nashville.

He works with Garth Brooks and Faith Hill.

And, uh, it's just -- it's a -- it's an emotional song and it's a timeless song, which is like why I'm very appreciative of it, because, you know, I could write all day and we could make good music all the time.

But what will stick when you're not around, right?

And so this is called "Time Won't."

And let's kick it.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Wish I could go back to 1997 ♪ ♪♪ ♪ So I could see my I grandma once again ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I know one day that I'll see her up in heaven ♪ ♪ But time won't tell me when ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Time won't move you quicker to tomorrow ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm ♪ ♪ Time won't take you back to yesterday ♪ ♪ Mm♪ mmm ♪ ♪ Time moves fast for joy and slow for sorrow ♪ ♪ Time is cruel that way ♪ ♪ It's cruel that way ♪ ♪ When you're younger days are longer ♪ ♪ That old hourglass till summer seems to move so slow ♪ ♪ And before you know ♪ ♪ You get older and the days keep getting shorter ♪ ♪ And all the time that you were counting on ♪ ♪ Is gone, gone, gone ♪ ♪ One day time is on your side and then it's not ♪ ♪ And there will come a day your clock is gonna stop ♪ ♪ But time won't ♪ ♪♪ Time won't ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Wish that time could give us all just one do over ♪ ♪♪ ♪ To make up for something we've done wrong ♪ ♪ Time don't care about the burden on your shoulders ♪ ♪ It just keeps moving on ♪ ♪ Keeps moving on ♪ ♪ 'Cause when you're younger days are longer ♪ ♪ That old hourglass till summer seems to move so slow ♪ ♪ And before you know ♪ ♪ You get older and the days keep getting shorter ♪ ♪ And all the time that you were counting on ♪ ♪ Is gone, gone, gone ♪ ♪ One day time is on your side and then it's not ♪ ♪ And there will come a day your clock is gonna stop ♪ ♪ But time won't ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Time won't ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I wish I could go back to 1997 ♪ ♪♪ ♪ So I could see my grandma once again ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] Who are -- With the music you're playing tonight, and kind of the music you're currently working on, who are your some -- some of your biggest musical inspirations?

I feel like one of them is Hardy.

His songwriting is immaculate, and I tried to, like, obviously be one of the best songwriters you've heard from Iowa.

Um, another one is Sabrina Carpenter.

I think the way that she kind of correlates the country♪ pop vibe is obviously what I'm hoping to do with my music.

The more that I experience with it.

And then lastly, I'd say Miley Cyrus, just because she's so authentically herself and you just -- you can't hate her.

You know what I'm saying?

Yeah.

Like, I love that she's always true to who she is.

Has always been.

Always been, yeah.

For what, 20 years at this point or something.

Exactly.

So I'm a big fan of her for sure.

Where do you draw inspiration for your songwriting?

Um, obviously sometimes I've been through it, which sucks, but majority of the time I actually am, like, an empath.

So I feel a lot of things when I'm around certain people.

[ Clears throat ] Like one of the songs that I actually am going to start out with tonight is because of my sister.

She got cheated on and I instantly that day went downstairs and wrote about it.

And I always love starting shows off like that, because everyone's kind of been taken advantage of in their life or just been disrespected, and especially men and women.

It's not just a women -- woman's song, even though it was wrote for a woman, but I just like starting that off because at the end of the day, like, everyone's literally been through what I write about, You know what I'm saying?

Yeah.

I just bring it to life, and then everyone's like, "Oh, I've been through that before.

Like, why do you have to do me like that?"

And I'm like... Definitely writing it out helps because it makes me not have to, like, I don't feel alone, if that makes sense.

Like, I don't feel alone when I am singing it.

Totally.

Because people start learning my lyrics, start singing back to me, and then I get DMs and they're like, like I said, "You didn't need to do me like that."

Yeah.

Um, but it's a healing.

Like, music's a healing property, and I definitely think it heals me when I write about it.

[ "Daisy Dukes" plays ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm a long, long way from home ♪ ♪ Getting what's mine on my own ♪ ♪ Momma steady blowing up my phone ♪ ♪ Saying baby doll ♪ ♪ Don't forget where you came from ♪ ♪ Swear on my soul, mama, I won't ♪ ♪ In fact, ♪ I was just wishing I was ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Back in my Daisy dukes getting country girl loose ♪ ♪ Way out on the edge of the county line ♪ ♪ No socks, no shoes, getting back to my roots ♪ ♪ Passin' 'round that sippy sippy moonshine ♪ ♪ Uh, out in the cornfields, circled up headlights ♪ ♪ Sexy boy Devin pullin' on my Daisy dukes ♪ Yeah, I see y'all.

♪ Daisy dukes, yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah, I'm just a corn fed kinda corn bred kinda tomboy ♪ ♪ I got a knack for bringing that party like a convoy ♪ ♪ But I like the finer things, Birkin bags, diamond rings ♪ ♪ Yeah, I got my dreams just like everybody else I know ♪ ♪ Now I'm in the city chasing that money ♪ ♪ Busy bee making that money, y'all ♪ ♪ It's all good but city lights are cheap as stars ♪ ♪ And I tell you, cheap as bars ain't no substitute ♪ ♪ for what I used to get into ♪ ♪ Back in my Daisy dukes getting country girl loose ♪ ♪ Way out on the edge of the county line ♪ ♪ No socks, no shoes, getting back to my roots ♪ ♪ Passin' 'round that sippy sippy moonshine ♪ ♪ Whoo, out in the cornfields, circled up headlights ♪ ♪ Sexy boy Devin pullin' on my Daisy dukes ♪ ♪ On my Daisy dukes ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ [ Guitar solo ] ♪♪ ♪ No matter how far I go ♪ ♪ I know I'm always gonna come back to ♪ ♪ Always gonna come back to ♪ ♪ Back to my Daisy dukes getting country girl loose ♪ ♪ Way out on the edge of the county line ♪ ♪ No socks, no shoes, gettin' back to my roots ♪ ♪ Passin' 'round that sippy, sippy moonshine ♪ ♪ Out in the cornfield, circled up headlights ♪ ♪ Devin heavy pullin' on, yeah ♪ ♪ Gettin' up to no good way after midnight ♪ ♪ Pretty boy Devin pullin' on my Daisy dukes, yeah ♪ ♪ On my Daisy dukes ♪ Whoo!

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ On my Daisy dukes ♪ ♪♪ [ Applause ] Tell us the story behind the song "Strangers Again."

Oh, yeah.

[ Laughs ] A lot of people from my hometown have their ideas.

But I can't give you guys all the cookies to that.

But, um, again, it was kind of, uh, wrong -- wrong , wait, right person, wrong time type of thing.

I wasn't -- I wasn't ready for what that person deserved at that -- at that time, I just wasn't ready.

And, um, I thought I was gonna -- I thought I was helping the situation by giving it, like, a little bit of space.

And then I ended up losing him because he got a girl, and, um, that's what that's about.

It kind of -- That's a tough song for me, because like I said, my people -- my -- the people in my hometown have who they think it's about.

And I just like to keep people on their toes because you have no idea.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know.

But again, a universal enough theme that I think people find meaning in it, you know.

Yeah.

Exactly.

Oh yeah.

And that was actually -- That was a song, another like fun fact, that was a song that I dropped not thinking... [ Clears throat ] ...it was gonna like, do, like, my biggest numbers.

And I ended up -- People ended up loving it.

And so it's always fun to think like, "Oh, this song is gonna do great."

And then another song you didn't think it was going to do great, did great, so.

Well, XOLEX, thank you so much for being here.

Thanks for being on "Studio 3 LIVE."

Yeah.

Thank you for having me.

[ "Strangers Again" plays ] ♪♪ ♪ Never thought the day would come when we don't talk ♪ ♪ From second grade to college games we never fought ♪ ♪ You loved me and I loved you but not the same ♪ ♪♪ ♪ All our friends were mutual but our feelings weren't ♪ ♪ Didn't want someone so beautiful to wind up hurt ♪ ♪ I was scared to lose and lost you anyway ♪ ♪ Was I wrong to wait to make you mine?

♪ ♪ Or were you meant for another life?

♪ ♪ Yeah, maybe right person, wrong time ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ ♪ Went from hello to goodbye ♪ ♪ Like we never met ♪ ♪ If I wanted what you wanted ♪ ♪ Wonder what we could have been ♪ ♪ But instead ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ Whoo!

♪♪ ♪ Living in the same small town ♪ ♪ There's nowhere to hide ♪ ♪ Tween the corner store and the bar ♪ ♪ I'm bound to run into you tonight ♪ ♪ And if I do I'll act like I don't see ♪ ♪♪ ♪ That new girl who used to be me ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ ♪ Went from hello to goodbye ♪ ♪ Like we never met ♪ ♪ If I wanted what you wanted ♪ ♪ Wonder what we could have been ♪ ♪♪ ♪ But instead ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Was I wrong to wait to make you mine?

♪ ♪ Or were you meant for another life?

♪ ♪ Yeah, maybe right person, wrong time ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ ♪ Went from hello to goodbye ♪ ♪ Like we never met ♪ ♪ If I wanted what you wanted ♪ ♪ Wonder what we could have been ♪ ♪ But instead ♪ ♪ We went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ ♪ Went from strangers to lovers ♪ ♪ Back to strangers again ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] Last but not least.

So "Heels on Hardwood" is pretty much just walking out.

So arm candy, you know how I said like, she's his arm candy and whatever.

This is her leaving, right?

So this is her looking good leaving.

And he's like, "Oh, she's great."

Right?

So this is what heels -- "Heels on Hardwood" is about.

Um, so it's the -- it's the last laugh, as you may say.

Okay, here we go.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ We had that blow out fight ♪ ♪ So I blew out my hair ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, you had regrets that night ♪ ♪ Wait till you see what I wear ♪ ♪ Later ♪ ♪ I'm gonna get me some free drinks ♪ ♪ Ooh, in this itty bitty black dress ♪ ♪ You're gonna see everything ♪ ♪ You'll never get better than this ♪ ♪ I ain't gonna be sad no more ♪ ♪ Now when I look this good ♪ ♪ Left your jaw right on the floor ♪ ♪ I know you wish you could ♪ ♪ My girls are here, screw how you feel ♪ ♪ I'm going out just like I should ♪ ♪ I'll disappear loud and clear ♪ ♪ All you hear is heels on hardwood ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Heels on hardwood ♪ ♪♪ ♪ We won't be making up ♪ ♪ Did this makeup for me ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, you had the biggest kiss ♪ ♪ Now I'm off in the sea, baby ♪ ♪♪ ♪ It's hook, line, and sinker ♪ ♪ Ooh, in this itty bitty black dress ♪ ♪ Thought the grass was greener ♪ ♪ You'll never get better than this ♪ ♪ I ain't gonna be sad no more ♪ ♪ Not when I look this good ♪ ♪ Left your jaw right on the floor ♪ ♪ I know you wish you could ♪ ♪ My girls are here, screw how you feel ♪ ♪ I'm going out just like I should ♪ ♪ I'll disappear loud and clear ♪ ♪ All you'll hear is heels on hard work ♪ ♪ Sound of goodbye ♪ Heels on hard work ♪ ♪ Sound of goodbye ♪ ♪ So, yeah, I'm walking out that door ♪ ♪ Hot rollers still plugged in ♪ ♪ Smoke alarms and 6-inch marks ♪ ♪ Boy, look what you did ♪ ♪ My girls are here, screw how you feel ♪ ♪ I'm going out just like I should ♪ ♪ I'll disappear loud and clear ♪ ♪ All you'll hear is heels on hard work ♪ Thank you, Iowa PBS.

Thanks for everyone coming.

Whoo!

[ Cheers and applause ] "Studio 3 Live" is also available as a podcast.

Get it wherever you get your podcasts.

[ Instrumental outro ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Sound of goodbye ♪ ♪ Sound of goodbye ♪ ♪ Sound of goodbye ♪ ♪ Sound of goodbye ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Davis: Funding for "Studio 3 LIVE" is provided by... Announcer: Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, where employees from over 20 countries speak over 20 languages, is committed to enriching the lives of all Iowans by funding strong communities and diverse cultural organizations.

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