Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:02 Smoke all the good old days. You right.
Speaker 1 00:00:31 So,
Speaker 2 00:00:32 So how
Speaker 1 00:00:33 Are you
Speaker 2 00:00:34 Hungover?
Speaker 1 00:00:35 Yeah, me too. <laugh>. It's, uh, that's, uh, we saw each other last night.
Speaker 2 00:00:39 Yeah. We, we did. We took a, we did the around the arm drink thing. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:00:43 We call that the arm thing.
Speaker 2 00:00:43 The arm thing. Yeah. You're like, do the arm thing. I was like, what the fuck is the arm thing? Yeah. Well now I know. Now we did it. Now I know
Speaker 1 00:00:48 <laugh>. Um, well welcome to the Raise Reality podcast. Thank you for having me with me with
Speaker 2 00:00:54 Nikki t
Speaker 1 00:00:55 Yeah. Your host and you Ella Langley. Um, we've been internet friends for a while. Even before maybe I came to town.
Speaker 2 00:01:04 Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 1 00:01:05 And then, uh, we have some of the same degenerate friends. Yeah. So we uh, got to know each other when you weren't allowed to see other people. Yeah. Yeah. Pretty much. A little bit better. Yeah. Um, sos been a blessing to get to see you in town and get to see, play a lot of writers rounds. I
Speaker 2 00:01:20 Know. Been doing a lot of those.
Speaker 1 00:01:22 Yeah. And played Rowdy on the Row my writers round, which was a very good time. Super fun. We're gonna have to have you do that again.
Speaker 2 00:01:27 Hey. Haven't done that once or twice, man. Twice now. Twice. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:01:29 Yeah. I remember you played it the one time and then you were like, we were at the bar and you were like, Hey, I wanna play your writer's round. And I was like, do you not remember that you played my writer's round <laugh>? I'm like, how many shots in are you writing?
Speaker 2 00:01:40 I think we're at Red Door, so who knows.
Speaker 1 00:01:42 Yeah. And you were like, no, I want my own round. I'm like, done. When do you want it? Let's get <laugh>. I was like, absolutely. Um, that's always one of the things too, like I always try to like make sure I have like, some bad bitches on the round, you know? Yeah. It's hard because like the way we book mm-hmm. <affirmative>, which is like one person and then they bring all their friends. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> sometimes a dude will just bring all dudes. I'm like, bring some of your badass female friends too. Yeah. So, uh, maybe I'll have to have like, you host one and JV host one separate. Oh,
Speaker 2 00:02:08 That'd be fun. That
Speaker 1 00:02:08 Might be the move. Yeah. That way We just have a lot of bed.
Speaker 2 00:02:11 We're only friends, so kind of Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:02:13 <laugh>,
Speaker 0 00:02:14 Jbs, all my around. I dunno.
Speaker 1 00:02:15 You guys just be like trying to figure it out. You're like, I don't know what to do. <laugh>. But, uh, yeah, it's been, it's been cool. So I've just hit my one year in Nashville. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Like a month and a half ago. Wow. And then, uh, how long have you been in Nashville?
Speaker 2 00:02:30 A little over two years. Little over two. Moved July of 2019. Cool. And then was here six months. And Covid hit. Yeah. Tornado hit and then Covid hit.
Speaker 1 00:02:38 Yeah. The Covid tornado combo. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:02:40 It's super awesome time. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:02:41 I'm so blessed. This is the best. Um, yeah. But I mean, there's been some cool stuff that happened to you and your crew and Yeah. During that worst of times. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, which is kind of a blessing. It
Speaker 2 00:02:54 Was weird cuz um, I mean Covid was obviously super strange. Yeah. And for everyone. Yeah. But honestly it was one of the best times I've had in a long time. Yeah. It was like summer break with no parents. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:03:05 <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:03:06 Yeah. And no parents. And I mean, I got to know everyone a lot better and we played a lot of kickball. Yeah. Um, we did that every Tuesday. Yep. And then we'd go play our songs with to each other and annoy each other with demos,
Speaker 1 00:03:18 Campfire camp, fire put, put everybody else in demo jail. Yeah. It's a blessing though.
Speaker 2 00:03:21 But we didn't have anything else to do. So we like, enjoyed demo jail cuz we didn't have rounds to listen to each other's new songs. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:03:27 Yeah. It's, it's a weird time, but like, I feel like maybe even your crew more than any else, other one I can think of, like just stuff started working. Yeah. You know, and there was a lot of, from the whole, uh, tray dick down in Dallas Train rolling. Yeah. Like there was a lot of eyes paying attention to stuff. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know. Um, and then from that just everything starts working. You know? It's weird, just weird how it works, but it's
Speaker 2 00:03:52 Weird. It's, it was cool just cuz we always talk about like this time last year, how we were all like, you know, if we, if any of us get a publishing deal in the next few years, it's gonna be badass, you know, and then Dick down in Dallas happened and I think it put a lot of eyes on our crew because we were all playing rounds together still. Yeah. And when people were, would come out to see Matt and Trey, we'd all be on the round with them. Yep. And so they were like, oh wow, these people like ride cool songs together. Yeah. And, um,
Speaker 1 00:04:17 Well, and I think it gave you even more time to write songs. Right, for sure. So like, and you with your crew who are all badass songwriters, you
Speaker 2 00:04:23 Know what I mean? Yeah, I know
Speaker 1 00:04:24 What I mean. Yeah. So it's like, and then that's like makes everyone gets better is getting better as it goes. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it's funny, I was actually like hanging out with Hardy and uh, I played Weatherman and then I played like a couple other songs mm-hmm. <affirmative> and he was like, who wrote these ones? You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. So it's like neat to just to, cuz he's like, play me some new stuff, you know what I mean? Like Yeah. Because he's like so busy in his artist world that like, he doesn't get to hear all that stuff at Writers Round. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, like he can't go to writers rounds anymore. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. So it's, it's kind of neat. Uh, done the same thing with like Rowdy Rob, where he's been like, who's like in town, like doing it mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know what I mean? Yeah. Because he gets out but not as much anymore, you know? Yeah. Being on the road and things like that. So it's cool for me to like get to be in the ear of some of those folks mm-hmm. <affirmative> here and there, you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 00:05:04 I think it's just a big crew of like, people that hustle. Yes. It's like the main, the thing that I enjoy about our friend group the most Yeah. Is everyone hustles and it's like, if you're not hustling, everyone's like, why? Yeah. You know, what are you doing? Why are you in bed all day? Yeah. <laugh>, you know, like, why aren't you doing anything? Yeah. And it's like you're, I guess a piece of shit, you know?
Speaker 1 00:05:21 And that's the thing too, like some people don't write as often as you guys write either. Yeah. You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you guys are writing a lot of songs. Yeah. Which is great. We are. And I think that's a big part of like the pub deals that you got, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So let's talk about that. When did you get that official pub deal
Speaker 2 00:05:35 Official? It was August, I think. August 1st was like officially. Yeah. So I think me and Trey signed on the exact same day. Okay. Which was really cool. Yeah. So,
Speaker 1 00:05:44 And he's kind of like become like a big brother figure for you. Was that before he moved to town or?
Speaker 2 00:05:48 No, so I met Trey, we did a writer's round in Huntsville. It was me, Trey Reed, Haughton, clay Barker. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> a boyfriend and this guy named Cam Spinks all from Alabama. Yep. And uh, there was like five people there and <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:06:05 The U five. Yeah. Yeah. <laugh>. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:06:07 Uh, and uh, I met him there and then, um, clay and Mitch were better friends with Trey and they were moved to Nashville and I was like, well I'm not gonna stay here and go to school cuz this sucks. I hate school. So we all decided to move and, um, they're gonna live with Trey anyway, so I just did. And now me and Trey live together with Joy Beth and Matt. Yeah. So,
Speaker 1 00:06:26 Yeah. That's a, that's a great house right there, huh? Yeah. It's now you guys have two houses to dominate instead of just one. Yeah. Yeah. <laugh>. Cause that one house had a lot of people in it for a while.
Speaker 2 00:06:35 It constantly had a lot of people in it. Yeah. It legitimately felt like a frat house. Yeah. <laugh>. Like, there was never not someone at our house. Yeah. It's still kind of like that though. There's still always people walking in and out. I, which I kind of like it. Yeah. You know, it's like I kind of, I like to be surrounded by a lot of people.
Speaker 1 00:06:49 Dude. I'm the same way. I lived by myself for a while mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And it's like one of those things where there's definitely positives to it. Yeah. But at the end of the day, like when you have a lot of people around, it kind of forces you to be social mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And if you're like in a funk, it kind of helps you get outta that funk.
Speaker 2 00:07:01 Yeah. Like if I'm laying in my bed for too long, they'll be like, Hey, what are you doing? What are you doing? Yeah. Joy Beth doesn't let me sleep ever. Yeah. <laugh>. No, she, her, this is how she in the morning. So like our house is like upstairs is me and Trey. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and then downstairs it's its own like basement. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and they tricked it out, the people that own the house. So it's its own house, like own refrigerator, everything. So it's like two houses. Yeah. But not like this, like this. Yeah. And every morning Joy bed just wakes up and makes the most noise ever. And Trey walks out and slams doors and slams cabinets and Matt's loud and dogs are everywhere. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:07:32 There's a lot of dogs there. Huh?
Speaker 2 00:07:33 It's three. Yeah. Sometimes four.
Speaker 1 00:07:36 Yeah. Yeah. With Megan. Huh? Bringing her over sometimes. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Yeah. It'd be like that sometimes in the dog world. It's a lot. Yeah. Lots of hair. I, I imagine really
Speaker 2 00:07:44 Not bad. Not too bad. Not too bad. We just did for the first time we got a cleaning lady to come to our house yesterday. Really? And I felt
Speaker 1 00:07:50 You guys were moving on up.
Speaker 2 00:07:52 I really felt like I came home and they're like cleaning our house and I was like, like I'm poofing up in the world. <laugh>. But coming home to a clean house that I didn't have to clean, like that was the best thing ever.
Speaker 1 00:08:02 Uh, speaking of unclean houses, uh, how about New Year's? Last year we, uh, hung out at your old place?
Speaker 2 00:08:08 Yeah. Worst. It was, uh, worst. I am funnest party, but worst party. Yeah. The next day.
Speaker 1 00:08:13 It was very fun. Um, I had some of those Delta eight gummies, so I remember some of the night, but not all of
Speaker 2 00:08:18 It. No. I, yeah, I did not. I spent New Year's close to my bathroom. Yeah. <laugh>. If
Speaker 1 00:08:22 That makes any sense. We got some really good pictures though. Yeah. Uh, the New Year's pictures with like, everyone with your like, uh, ring light.
Speaker 2 00:08:30 Oh yeah. Big picture. I set up my ring light picture for like a picture. Yeah. Spot. That was funny.
Speaker 1 00:08:34 And then like, uh, bedroom, guitar poles,
Speaker 2 00:08:38 <laugh>. Oh. And then we had a keg outside. Yeah. And that keg stayed there until we moved out. Oh gosh. We never got rid of it. It just,
Speaker 1 00:08:44 It it got killed though. We crushed it. Right.
Speaker 2 00:08:46 No. The next day Matt McKinney came over and finished it.
Speaker 1 00:08:49 Ah, classic McKinney. Yeah. He has like a hollow leg. He's so tall. Yeah. You know what I mean? He just put an unlimited beer in
Speaker 2 00:08:54 There just and his lot of room for it to go. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:08:56 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:08:56 <laugh>. Yeah. But the next day we woke up and there was like standing water all on the floors and I just looked around like, I woke up first and looked around the house and I was like, well, we're not getting our security deposit back. <laugh>, there were so many people at our house that our deck outside moved down. Like from the, it separated from the house. Cuz we had so many people on the deck that it, there it was like two inches
Speaker 1 00:09:17 And it was muddy that night.
Speaker 2 00:09:18 Yeah. It was raining. Yeah. And disgusting in the house. But I mean, it was still fun. It was worth it, but I was like,
Speaker 1 00:09:23 I'm, it was, it was a good time. Did you get to security bottle back? No. No. You, oh no,
Speaker 2 00:09:27 No. We had, we actually had to pay money. Oh yeah. Left. Not just from that party. Yeah. Uh, living with Trey Lewis and uh, Mitch and dogs and you know, yeah. Things happen, happens, whatever. I mean, it's just to be expected. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:09:40 Luckily there was like 150 of you living there to split it up on, you know. Yeah. <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:09:45 Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:09:46 Well, um, like through all of that. So, I mean, you know, first times that I've seen you play was probably like Matt's round in the round. Matt Burrell's round maybe? Yeah. Um, like kind of right around when I started like moving to town mm-hmm. <affirmative> and then like where you had to be seated when you were playing rounds, you know, like Yeah. Like everybody had to be seated at the tables, but coming from like Pittsburgh where there was literally nothing going on mm-hmm. <affirmative>, I was like, this is the best, this is the best. I was like, this is so much better. Yeah. And then, uh, like going from there and starting my own round and then that going cool. You guys played one of the earlier ones I think. Yeah. It
Speaker 2 00:10:24 Was one of the first ones. I know it was like me and Joy Beth and I can't remember who else, but maybe Clay played on that one with us. Yep. Yep. I can't remember
Speaker 1 00:10:30 Who the first person was. And then, um, and then stuff like started getting back to normal world. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and I mean the whole dick down in Dallas Train was going. Yeah. And then, so like recently you've had some TikTok success with your new single. Yeah. Um, and if you have to or is it Hate me if you have to.
Speaker 2 00:10:53 So I was trying to decide on that cuz like, I wanted it to be, hate me if you have to. Yeah. But I was like, that's kind of a long title. It's a long title, but people still call it Hate Me if you have to. Yeah. So it's, uh, it's just if you have to is Yeah. The title on online The Thing, but it's whatever anyone wants to buy it is <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:11:09 Yes. And you can download it Now. <laugh>,
Speaker 2 00:11:12 I keep saying this, the day the song came out, I was trying to push it on iTunes cuz we didn't end up having a pre-order. Yeah. And I was like, oh man, I think it just sounds better on there. Like, it's just something about the quality on iTunes. It's like, I don't know,
Speaker 1 00:11:23 Just sounds great. You should get it
Speaker 2 00:11:24 There. It's amazing.
Speaker 1 00:11:25 Well man, it's been doing really well streaming. Yeah. So like for an independent release, like that's big numbers.
Speaker 2 00:11:31 I know it's blowing my mind
Speaker 1 00:11:31 Because of this point. You're over 500 K on all the platforms and Yeah. It's just growing. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and uh, like compared to like other releases that you put out, it's huge. Crazy. Right. Huge.
Speaker 2 00:11:42 Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:11:42 That's, it's nuts to think about that too. And that's like when we're talking about TikTok and I mean, you saw it from Trey Yeah. And Priscilla and even like Yeah, absolutely. From Priscilla and then like, even like Justin Holt had some success on there, so like, you can see it in pockets mm-hmm. <affirmative> or you can see it just grow. Yeah. And I've had some artists, like I had Lily Rose on right after Villain came out Yeah. On the, on the podcast mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And it's just like, it's so crazy to see a platform Right. That is letting growth happen and that is equating to people downloading real songs. Yeah. Going to real shows mm-hmm. <affirmative> and like growing a fan base where they're into everything that you're doing from there. Yeah. It's, there's, in my opinion, there hasn't been anything music wise mm-hmm. That has been similar. Right. Maybe Vine for like Luke Combs.
Speaker 2 00:12:29 Yeah. I think, yeah. I think that's the closest but closest. I think what's cool about TikTok is like, to me it's just a like a way to, I mean, you, you see huge artists now test songs out there. Yeah. You know, and it's just like, it's different than just putting songs out on Spotify. I feel like TikTok is a way to like really get to know the artist. Yeah. Like get to know who they are as a person. You know, you, you can do whatever you want on there and it's, it's free. You can put up whatever you want. Yep. And like when I was deciding on putting up that song, I did it a lot during Right. When Dick Down in Dallas came out mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Cause I was like, well, I need to get on this TikTok train
Speaker 1 00:13:04 <laugh>. Yeah. You saw it work. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:13:05 Yeah. And then, um, like Priscilla happened and then Trey, so I was like, I need to do something. And, uh, I got some followers. I had like 45,000 mm-hmm. <affirmative>, but I just, I'm so bad at social media. Like I, it's just not my strong suit at all. I have to be forced. Megan forces me to post things
Speaker 1 00:13:20 <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:13:21 But, um, I put the song up. I remember getting ready for the TikTok. I was talking to my mom and I was just like, this is, I'm literally getting ready. This is the only thing I have to do today. I'm getting ready to go in my car and record a TikTok. And I was like, it's not gonna do anything. And then in like an hour and a half it had over a hundred thousand so crazy views. And I was like, what? And I, Trey woke me up at like six the next morning and he's like, it hit a million. Yes. <laugh>. Because see, well Trey the whole time was like, where Right when I wrote that song, he was like, you need to put that on TikTok. He told me every day for like a month. And then finally when it blew up, he was like, told you, hate to tell. I hate to say I told you so, but I did.
Speaker 1 00:14:00 Yeah. Well, and that's like, it's a crazy thing because that platform is so much different than every other platform right now. Yeah. Like if you're talking about Instagram, unless you're putting dollar spend behind it mm-hmm. <affirmative>, nobody sees it. Yeah. Not even the people that follow you. Yeah. Right. Unless they have like the bell turned on where they see everything you do mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Right. Which if you do that for more than like three people, your phone would explode. Yeah. You know? Yeah. And then it's Facebook's the same way, unless you get organic shares on Facebook where they share it to their friends. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, no one's seeing anything.
Speaker 2 00:14:30 I think it's all the al algorithms and, and still TikTok. Like they change the algorithm constantly. Yeah. So like now it's more like how many for, for it to go to the for you page, it's how many of your followers like the TikTok or view the TikTok or whatever. Yeah. Um, I mean, I don't know. I just think it's a cool place to like be exactly who you are Yeah. And put out music that you love. Yeah. And if people love it, like if you have to, like that's a song that I genuinely love and like, I didn't know when I was gonna ever put that song out. Right. And then I got to because of the app, you know. Yeah. So that's the cool part
Speaker 1 00:15:00 About it. Well, and that's the, the neat thing is it can kind of like catapult something, right? Yeah. And it gives you like a legitimate, like almost like an a and r approach to a song mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Right. You're like, okay, I have these five songs. Right. Let me see what song has the best engagement. Yeah. There's a and r teams that have been doing that for years and years and years. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> now they're putting that in the hands of an independent artist. Yeah. You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, which is pretty neat. Hmm. <affirmative>. And it's powerful. It's huge. And the labels of course are using it too mm-hmm. <affirmative>, but it gives you as an independent artist, like a lane to, to try to figure out. Yeah. And then if something does pop, like freaking this song did mm-hmm. <affirmative>, what are we at? Like what, what were the total shares or anything on that? Do you know any of those data?
Speaker 2 00:15:42 Uh, total shares were, I don't know. I have to Megan do you know,
Speaker 3 00:15:46 Just updated.
Speaker 2 00:15:48 Yeah. It's a ridiculous amount. It's nuts. It's insane. Yeah. I just, it it's cool just because too, like, especially being independent and like, obviously I'm not making a lot of money Yeah. Right now. I mean, I have my publishing deal, but other than that, you know? Yeah. So like 42,000
Speaker 1 00:16:03 Nuts.
Speaker 2 00:16:03 Nuts. Yeah. Um, it's just, it gives me space to like push my own stuff, like where I, and not have to put money behind it and Yep. Grows true fans and Yep. You know, and obviously people listen and I think the thing about TikTok that's cool is people are so like, and sucks at the same time is people are so honest. Yeah. So like, if they love a song, then they love a song. If they hate a song, then they hate a song. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. So I think that's what's cool about it.
Speaker 1 00:16:30 Well, yeah. Any, any online forum, which is what TikTok is, right? Yeah. You're gonna have some of that, but yeah. At the end of the day, you can't let that bother you either. Right. Because if someone, if someone's interacting with your content mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it means they care enough about either your music Yeah. Or the stuff that they've heard in the past to at least give you some insight.
Speaker 2 00:16:47 Right. Yeah. They were more mad about how long it took me to put out the song. Which
Speaker 1 00:16:51 Is crazy because it came out pretty quick. <laugh>,
Speaker 2 00:16:53 I was so harassed. Well it's because I, the video I put up was, was the demo. So we That's right. What we had from the right. Yeah. And you know, a lot of people don't know the difference in a demo and a master. Right. And so, um, I immediately got on finding producers and figuring out content and stuff and getting it all done and I mean, we got it out as fast as possible. Yeah. Like, we didn't even get to have a pre-order cuz of how fast we put it out. And people were still like, when are, when are artists gonna realize if they don't put the song out the next day, we're just gonna lose interest <laugh>. And I'm just like, God,
Speaker 1 00:17:26 It's a crazy world, but it's like that's eventually where things are gonna go. Right? Yeah. You're gonna have like 20 songs that are already done mm-hmm. <affirmative> and then you're just like blasting 'em out there and then you have 'em to release. Like, that's the other thing too that people don't understand is like, you put it out so quick that you didn't even get to have a pre-order. I know. Which like makes it so, like your iTunes Charting's messed up, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:17:47 All And it's still charted seven. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:17:49 Which is crazy. But if you had that pre-order Yeah. Then it might have charted even higher. I know. You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So it's like, it's one of those things where like people from on the outside like don't really understand that, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, but that's a big benchmark, right? Yeah. Like having a song that went seven on iTunes is big, right? Yeah. Having a song that goes one on iTunes makes even more people pay attention. Yeah. You know?
Speaker 2 00:18:07 Exactly.
Speaker 1 00:18:07 Yeah. So it's like having the right team behind you and having like the people that are like, I know your fans want this right now, but we have to do this the right way. Yeah. We have to make sure we get mm-hmm. <affirmative> a master product. We're not just releasing a acoustic, you know, version of this or whatever. Yeah. You know what I mean? And that's like some of the things like, uh, like Trey had already had studio time booked with producers, right? Yeah. So like when he went to cut Dick down Dallas, he already knew that they had mm-hmm. <affirmative> had, they'd wor he'd worked with Alex before he'd worked with Grady before. You know what I mean? Yeah. And so it's like trying to figure that out on a rush mm-hmm. <affirmative> and like get in the right people's tough, it takes time. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, you can't just go the next day and be like, all right, we're gonna the studio and cutting this. Yeah. This doesn't work like that. And
Speaker 2 00:18:48 I also think too, people forget, like, I have other things right. Going on besides putting out the song. Like obviously that's huge Right. But it's like they still have rights every day. Yeah. And yeah. Still got put on the tour the exact same time the song came out. Yeah. So all that was happening and I was like, <laugh> crazy. Like, you know, but I mean, I'm happy with how it came out. I'm glad. I mean, it's doing great. That
Speaker 1 00:19:06 Sounds great. And honestly, the, the full version sounds similar to the demo.
Speaker 2 00:19:11 I that's I want, so I was aesthetically similar. That was a huge thing when I was talking to Ross Copperman who produced it whenever we were deciding on how we wanted it sound is I was, I know people, and I know this especially from like, when I send my mom demos Yeah. And then I'll re-record it and she's like, I don't like how that sounds. I'm like, well, you're just used to how the demo sounds. Right. But because I put the demo on there, I, I didn't wanna change it too much where people were like, this isn't the same song. Yeah. So that's why we kept it similar, the first verse in chorus. Yeah. And then he put the drums in, kicked it in. Yeah. Cuz I still wanted it to move. Like, I wouldn't, I would not categorize myself as a ballad artist. Yeah. Or even a like, you know, slower tempo song. Right. Uh, artist. But,
Speaker 1 00:19:50 You know, it's just crazy too, like Yeah. Like, that's just what the fans liked, you know? Yeah. Like, if you see Ella at a writer's round, you hear some like badass redneck honky Tonkin songs. Yeah. You know, some really fun stuff mm-hmm. <affirmative> and then some heartbreak stuff and some, some, you know, internal emotion stuff too. But like, uh, like when I think about LL Langley, I think about those like, those like boots stomper kind of songs.
Speaker 2 00:20:12 Yeah. Like, you wanna get really drunk and run around and singing. Yeah. But I think
Speaker 1 00:20:15 It's cool to have both sides of that,
Speaker 2 00:20:17 You know what I mean? For sure. I, I mean, that song really does mean a lot to me, so Yeah. It's cool that that's like the first one. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:20:23 Who'd you write it with?
Speaker 2 00:20:24 I wrote it with Tranny Anderson. Mm-hmm. And Ian Christensen. Awesome. Mm. And I that right. Wasn't even supposed to happen. My write got canceled and their third canceled. So my publisher May, I was like, Hey, we're just gonna test this out. See how it goes today. It was great. I mean, it went great.
Speaker 1 00:20:39 It's crazy how that works sometimes, right? Yeah. Had you wrote with either of them before or? No?
Speaker 2 00:20:42 I've written with tranny. Okay. I had written with Tranny a lot. Yeah. Um, Ian, that was my first time. Cool. So
Speaker 1 00:20:48 It's funny too, like sometimes when you write with someone a hundred times mm-hmm. <affirmative>, that's when you get magic. And sometimes it's like that first Right. You just like Yeah. Strike goal with someone, you know? I know. It's, it's so interesting to hear about that mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 00:20:58 <affirmative>, I came in with that, uh, that that idea pretty put together. Yeah. Like I, I knew exactly what I wanted to say and the song. Yeah. So it was just kind of getting the melody right. Yeah. And like putting it in the right words. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:21:09 So, um, what would you say is your, like, strongest quality in a writer's room?
Speaker 2 00:21:15 Um, I think my strongest quality is knowing my place in a writer's room. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Like some days I'm better at lyrics and some days I'm better at melodies. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, it's never like constantly the same thing. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> like, you know, joy Beth is gonna always be a lyricist in a room. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and that's her place in the room. But I think mine is kind of, especially being the artist in the room is kind of, Hey, I will, or I would, or I won't say this Right. Some days it's lyrics and some days it's melody. Some days it's both.
Speaker 1 00:21:41 Cool. Yeah. Um, who were some of your, I know we talked about Joy Beth, but some of the people that you got to write with that you've just like, learned from or like kind of helped grow what you're doing songwriting wise?
Speaker 2 00:21:54 Yeah. Uh, well first of all, joy Beth, obviously. Yeah. Like, you know, that whole quarantine thing, I was so new to town, she's feeling so awkward right now. <laugh>, anytime, anytime you boost her confidence, she's like, I'm gonna walk out the room now. <laugh>. Uh, but you know, during quarantine, like I had just moved to town and that's why I moved here is to be a better songwriter. And that's all she wrote three, four times a day. And then, you know, Matt, and, um, you know, tranny's been a big one for me too. Um, the way she does stuff is super smart and I don't know, it's been a, it, it's, I learned a lot from a little bit of everyone in Iraq. Yeah. You know, I just kind of pay attention to a lot of things.
Speaker 1 00:22:29 That's a, I think that's a good way to do it too. And that's kind of how you build your base. Mm-hmm. Right? It's like seeing what everybody else does. Right. And then picking the little things that you're like, oh, that I can do that on this,
Speaker 2 00:22:40 You know? Yeah. And then some days I'm like, are they really paying me to write songs? Yeah. <laugh>, like, like, are you sure?
Speaker 1 00:22:46 Well, I mean, that's a, it's a crazy thing, but I mean, if you're doing something that you love, that's how it works.
Speaker 2 00:22:51 Yeah. It's really, it is really cool. It's, it's cool to say that I actually like, you know, I've always, I've played shows. That's the only job I've had since I graduated high school. Yeah. But it's cool to, like, I have a salary now to like, yeah. You know, my job is, it's actually my job now. It's crazy. Right.
Speaker 1 00:23:04 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:23:04 It's super awesome. It's nuts. That's, that's one of the coolest things.
Speaker 1 00:23:07 Well, and like, there's not that many salaried songwriters in Nashville. Yeah. There's really not. Yeah. You know, if you think about it, there's maybe a couple hundred mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So having one specifically is like, as young of an age as you are is a blessing. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:23:20 It's huge.
Speaker 1 00:23:21 It's, you know, it's crazy.
Speaker 2 00:23:22 I, I genuinely, constantly am like, are you guys sure? Yeah. <laugh>, like I know we've signed the contract, but are you sure <laugh>,
Speaker 1 00:23:29 Uh, and I know you mentioned that tour. Yeah. Why don't we talk a little bit about that tour you got coming
Speaker 2 00:23:34 Up. Oh, so I'm going on the road with Randy Houser, um, so sick, insane. Someone I've listened to since I was Yeah. So young. Yeah. Um, and that starts in January. It starts, the first day is January 21st and the last date's March 20th and it's at the Ryman. So,
Speaker 1 00:23:49 So awesome.
Speaker 2 00:23:50 That's when for my first show at the Ryman, which I'm like, it's not, I'm like, I'm getting too excited about this. Something's gonna happen. Yeah. <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:23:56 <laugh>. You're like, you're like, pinch me. Yeah. Like,
Speaker 2 00:23:59 Are you? Shit
Speaker 1 00:24:00 Man, that's a, it's And how many dates? There's a lot of dates on it too, right?
Speaker 2 00:24:03 I think there's 26.
Speaker 1 00:24:04 That's sick.
Speaker 2 00:24:05 25, 26. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:24:07 And you're gonna be out there full band.
Speaker 2 00:24:08 Full band. Yeah. That's awesome. Direct support. Awesome. So
Speaker 1 00:24:10 Yeah. That's amazing.
Speaker 2 00:24:11 I know. I'm super excited.
Speaker 1 00:24:13 And it's, uh, dude, Randy Hauser fantastic. Vocalist has a big fan base all around the country. I know. And it's, we're playing some cool rooms too.
Speaker 2 00:24:20 Super cool rooms. So they're like kind of more like theater type rooms. Yeah. But I'm super pumped. I mean, he's just been doing it for so long. His team's already been so easy to work with and Yeah. He's just a seasoned vet, so to learn from someone, like that's gonna be huge.
Speaker 1 00:24:32 It's gonna be awesome. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Yeah. Getting, uh, to be on the road like that. So we go down, saw you open up for Ashland at Side Sidetracks.
Speaker 2 00:24:39 Sidetracks, yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:24:41 And, uh, seeing you play acoustic, I can't wait to catch one of
Speaker 2 00:24:43 The full band shows. Yeah. Full band is definitely, I feel like my wheelhouse Yeah. Where I get to put down my guitar and run around and Yeah. Because that's what I did. I mean, all those years of playing cover shows, you know? Yeah. I would put my guitar down and run around and try to get drunk college kids to listen to what I was, the covers I was playing. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:24:58 Yeah. It's, uh, I mean, I remember like seeing your videos like on like whiskey riff and things like that mm-hmm. <affirmative>, like the cover videos, like from back in the day. Yeah. Like before you were even in town, you know. Oh
Speaker 2 00:25:08 Yeah. This, that was, uh, I was, I would always record them at Clay's work. We'd go there, he'd have a key, we'd go there at night and it was great acoustic. Yeah. So we'd both go and we'd like record each other. Got
Speaker 1 00:25:16 There. Yeah. That's funny. It's just nuts how it starts. Like at what age did you, uh, end up like picking up a guitar and like really starting to
Speaker 2 00:25:25 Figure it out? Um, I was 14. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, my grandfather passed who really, him and my grandma got me. I mean, they're super musically inclined and I always did it with them. And he had a whole bunch of guitars and, um, he passed the year before and I picked up his guitar one night and I was tuning it. I was looking up on YouTube how to tune a guitar. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> broke a string. My dad got it rung with like, the heaviest gauge strings that you could possibly put on a guitar, Uhhuh, <affirmative>, um, and then, you know, just YouTube. Yeah. And
Speaker 1 00:25:53 It's crazy how that works, right? Yeah. Like, dude, that's like, I was editing videos, I'm like, I have no idea how to do this. But after I watch like 16 hours of YouTube Yeah. I'm kinda
Speaker 2 00:26:01 Know how professional a little bit
Speaker 1 00:26:03 <laugh>. Definitely not professional. <laugh>. I'm slightly better than I was. Yeah. You know, it's, it's just nuts how much information's on there now. Oh, I
Speaker 2 00:26:09 Know. Yeah. I think too, like, also like, you know, when I started playing with my band, like my guitar player would be like, Hey, don't play it like that. Play it like this. Yeah. And I'd be like, oh, that makes sense. Yeah. You know, and Clay, you know, he, he helps me a lot with stuff. Yeah. I always send him, like, when we do a, when I'm, uh, writing with a track guy and I don't play the guitar parts, uh, I always have send him the demo and be like, Hey, can you tell me what chords are in the song so I can play it? <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:26:32 <laugh>. That's funny. What, uh, so like, let's talk about like your life growing up. So you grew up in Alabama? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, pretty small town, right?
Speaker 2 00:26:39 Yeah. It's, uh, called Hope Hole. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, like Hope Hole. Yeah. Super small. It's like 3000 cap maybe. Yeah. Um, super small high school. I graduated with 32 kids. Dang. And, uh, half of their parents my dad graduated with. That's so Wow. From, from the same high school. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:26:55 <laugh>. How old were your parents when they had you?
Speaker 2 00:26:57 My mom was 25. My dad was 27. Yeah. So
Speaker 1 00:27:01 It's, uh, it's crazy too. I've actually had a few like, conversations with your mom, like online. She's the coolest. She's the best. Yeah. She was like, thank you for sharing or like, anything I do. And I'm like, I just talk about the stuff that's actually good. She's
Speaker 2 00:27:13 Just so kind. She really, yeah, she's great. She, she, she's still helps me a lot. I mean, her and Megan have been doing, she's like a chameleon. Like anything she can figure out, she can do it. It's nuts.
Speaker 1 00:27:24 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:27:24 That's cool. But yeah, I mean, just small high school, small town, uh, not much going on there.
Speaker 1 00:27:30 And then you went to, uh, a nice college in Alabama. Unnamed Auburn. Yep.
Speaker 2 00:27:35 Auburn University.
Speaker 1 00:27:36 And you played a lot of gigs out there while you were there too, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. How many years were you there? Two.
Speaker 2 00:27:41 Two. So got sophomore year.
Speaker 1 00:27:43 Yeah. Did you get through sophomore year? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>?
Speaker 2 00:27:45 Yeah. Well, technically I was almost a junior because I did some in, uh, high school.
Speaker 1 00:27:50 Okay. Got some college credits then. Yeah. Yeah. I did like the five year plan for college, but I got, I got through it, you know. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:27:55 <laugh>, I would actually be graduating this December. That's crazy. I would still be in Auburn graduating in December if
Speaker 1 00:28:02 Didn't leave. And your life's very different now.
Speaker 2 00:28:04 Super different. Yeah. <laugh>. Yeah. Yeah. The one friend I went that went to the same school, she's graduating in December and she's like, we got you a cap. Cuz it's kind of like, you graduated too. And I was like, this is amazing. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:28:13 That's so sick. <laugh>. Yeah. It's, well, and those people, they, they watched you come live your dream, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative> a college degree is great. Yeah. But, but you took that path and you, you said, okay, I'm gonna go and do things that are gonna help to be where I want to be. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Right? That college degree wouldn't help you be No.
Speaker 2 00:28:32 In music. That's why I tried to explain to my dad at first. Yeah. Which was super hard probably. I was like, Hey dad, I'm gonna move five hours away with a boyfriend that I've been dating less than a year and live with two other dudes plus him and quit school <laugh>. And now it's funny, like whenever I tell people I did two years, we're like, wow, you did two whole years. Like that's great. I'm like, dad, people are impressed when I did two years
Speaker 1 00:28:53 <laugh>. It's nuts. But I mean, it's one of the things that people say is it's like everybody has their own timeline. Mm mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it could be, you could start when you're 30 and make it as a songwriter artist. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Right. But it, the earlier you start, the easier it is. Right. Because you're getting those reps in early. So you were playing those live shows. Yeah. Right. You got that under your belt. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So that makes, you're now playing full band live shows easier mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Right. You're comfortable on stage. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:29:18 You know, I always tell people, I say this constantly. I said it last night, I was like, if I can entertain people that don't give a shit about me Yeah. Then I definitely can entertain people that do. Right. You know, it's like play. If I can get a whole bunch of drunk college kids to like, you know, listen for a couple minutes Yeah. Then I can, like, everyone always asks me when I play these bigger shows now they're like, are you nervous? I'm like, no. Cuz they're listening. Yeah. And they wanna hear, they came to hear music, right? Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:29:41 Know they, they looked me up on Spotify. <laugh>. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:29:44 They know my name. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:29:46 It's crazy to see that like next level jump, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative> like what you're talking about, like going from like cover gigs to like, okay, now I'm like writing my own songs, playing my own songs. Yeah. Right. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And then you go from that to like, all right, now I'm on like a legitimately tour mm-hmm. <affirmative> with like, not just opening one, one-off shows like you're on the freaking road. I know, right? I know. With a band and like probably a van and Yep. You know, grinding that whole thing out. But
Speaker 2 00:30:10 I know it's a, it was a, it's a, like when I was in Auburn, I remember I was like, okay, I've gotten to the point. I'm, I'm, I've played this circuit, I've done this circuit. You know what I mean? Yeah. And I've gotten to the point where I can't grow anymore here. Yeah. So that's why I moved to Nashville and then starting to go into playing those opening slots, even if it's just acoustic, it's like, well, how many covers do I play? Yeah. Like when I, right, when I first started, I was like, is this enough? Yeah. Because it's weird starting to play your own music when you're used to just playing huge hits though of other people's. Yeah. And now it's to the point where it's like I'm more excited to play my songs
Speaker 1 00:30:40 Of course, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:30:41 Than covers. It's that, but that first transition, you're like, oh, I don't know if my songs are good enough for people to listen
Speaker 1 00:30:46 To <laugh>. It's one of those weird things too, like going from like that cover band gig cuz everyone sings those. Yeah. But when you're singing one of your songs mm-hmm. <affirmative>, even if it's just one person up front that knows the words. Yeah. It's like, oh, I you're gonna be like,
Speaker 2 00:30:58 Ugh. I know. I'm not even gonna, I'm just
Speaker 1 00:31:00 Yeah. It's nuts.
Speaker 2 00:31:01 Be like, stop the show please. Yeah. <laugh>, start that over. Yeah,
Speaker 1 00:31:04 That's a good segue to talk about one of our new sponsors. Okay. Which, uh, you're gonna be talking, well you're gonna be playing our writers around here very soon. Hopefully. I don't know if Mike asked you, but we're trying to get you guys on one very soon. <laugh> I'm down and, uh, we have a new sponsor that's streaming the rounds for us. Oh, really? So people will be able to view 'em online. Oh, that's badass. Um, and there's like a QR code with a tip jar. So we're gonna be doing it, we're gonna be taking all the money from the stream and on all of the tables, and we're gonna be divvying that up between all the artists. Really? Yeah. So, I mean, it might not be a ton of money, but it'll be more, I remember that one time we had that bucket of money.
Speaker 1 00:31:39 I was like, here, joy Beth <laugh>. <laugh>. I was like, I was like, here have this money. And she's like, what? I'm like, I don't know how to give it to everyone. Yeah. Well we have it in a pool online. Yeah. So the company's called My Set and they're, uh, they are like a digital tipping app. They have, uh, it's like a free platform for artists. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So basically like, um, it's, it's kind of set up with like the cover band kind of gig style mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So they're like really interested to see how it works, like with a writers round style like that. But basically like, instead of you putting like your Venmo up there mm-hmm. <affirmative> you have like this, it takes you to a webpage. Um, or on their app they donate money, they can donate right to you. They can sign up for like a monthly donation thing.
Speaker 1 00:32:19 Really. They can buy a piece of print to order merch right from there. So like an L Langley shirt you could put up on my set. And if, uh, like an artist, if any artists are listening to this, if you sign up for it using Code Rowdy, they'll actually make you a free six foot banner. Really? Yeah. It's pretty dope. It's, uh, it's a really cool thing. And like, not only do they do streaming, but they also have like, uh, basically no fee payments. Right. So Venmo's about to start charging for, uh, like you using that if you use it over $600 a month, really? This is another option for that <laugh>. Whoa. So it's a, it's a pretty cool, pretty cool thing. And I'm super excited that some people from out of town are gonna be able to get to see the writers rounds.
Speaker 2 00:33:01 I mean, my whole family would be so excited about that. Yeah. Any, any writer's round that gets live streamed? My mom's like, yes.
Speaker 1 00:33:07 Yes. Yeah. <laugh>. Yes. Yeah. So I'm super excited about that. We're gonna host the first one on Facebook and then see where it goes. Maybe we'll move to Twitch or something. I don't know. Yeah. Oh, Twitch would be cool. We'll figure it out. Yeah. Yeah. What, what works best. But we'll see which algorithm works the best for it. <laugh>. Well that's badass.
Speaker 2 00:33:22 I'm excited for that. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:33:23 I'm stoked.
Speaker 2 00:33:23 That brings me back to whenever we were playing, uh, right when Covid was happening and we were all so poor. Yeah. And we were doing live streams on Oh yeah. Like we would go on 65 South or, um, any venue that we've played, they let us live stream and put our Venmos up there. Yep. We made a good bit of money for like the first couple times. Dude,
Speaker 1 00:33:40 It's like, it's like, it was a such a crazy time because there's so many people that are like me, whose like heart gets fed by listening to live music. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So like being literally stuck at my house. I was in Pittsburgh at that point, like sitting alone. I lived by myself and I was just like literally seeing no one. Mm-hmm. You know? So like those live streams did a lot for me, like trying to keep me slightly sane. <laugh> Yeah. And all of that craziness. They were cool. Yeah. It was cool to, and we couldn't spend money anywhere, so I had some deduct, that's
Speaker 2 00:34:08 Why it was awesome. I swear the, the, the gigs that I played, I got more tips Yeah. Through Covid than I have ever.
Speaker 1 00:34:14 It's crazy,
Speaker 2 00:34:14 Right? Yeah. The Flo Bama gig that we played, the first one that me and her did together. Yeah. Made so much money in tips I can never make. I've tried so many times to make that. I'm just like, do I suck now
Speaker 1 00:34:24 Or what? It's just a strange time. And I think everyone's so appreciative of that like being there mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So it was super cool. Um, I actually like didn't do the podcast for a while Right. During that. Yeah. Um, I had the radio show at that time and I was so, I was doing that and like, I just didn't wanna do the online thing mm-hmm. <affirmative> because I'm just so much more comfortable, like talking in person with someone mm-hmm. <affirmative>, the online thing. Kind of like, I've done some, I've done a few. It just like doesn't feel as organic.
Speaker 2 00:34:52 Like the Zoom thing. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:34:54 Yeah. Just doesn't feel as organic, you
Speaker 2 00:34:56 Know? Yeah. Even if I have rights in Zoom, I'm just like, ah,
Speaker 1 00:34:59 Man. Yeah. You can get good stuff out of it. Right?
Speaker 2 00:35:01 Yeah. I mean, there's some people I will, but like,
Speaker 1 00:35:03 It's another skill. It's a different thing.
Speaker 2 00:35:05 It's, yeah. I'm such a person that feeds off the room, like the energy in the room.
Speaker 1 00:35:08 Yeah, same. Yeah. Yeah. Whether it's a conversation at Red Door or you know, here with you <laugh> talking about music, right. Like Yeah. Uh, being able to see someone's face, their eyes, their interactions, their mannerisms I think is very important. You know? I
Speaker 2 00:35:22 Think so too.
Speaker 1 00:35:23 And uh, that's why it's dope that we're actually having this one videoed.
Speaker 2 00:35:26 I know.
Speaker 1 00:35:27 <laugh> Hi friends. Yeah. <laugh>. Um, cuz again, I think that's like the next level of it is like people can hear you, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, well they'll see you at a live show, but getting due to a podcast, they get to know a little bit about you Yeah. For, you know, for sure for some of the things that make you, uh, make you work. Yeah. Um, and we're actually gonna be doing a pretty cool little thing that's gonna live on Ella's YouTube. Oh yeah. 20 questions with Ella, so
Speaker 2 00:35:54 I don't even know what they are.
Speaker 1 00:35:55 No, yeah. You, you're not gonna know till we do 'em. Honestly, I, I don't even know what all of 'em are yet. Yeah. <laugh>. Uh, but we had some, some people help us make up these questions that, uh Yeah. Are, are gonna make sure they're good.
Speaker 2 00:36:07 So who knows what I'm gonna say. Well, up in the I'm ready. I've, I've done pretty good so far. I haven't said anything that stupid yet. No.
Speaker 1 00:36:13 Yeah. I, I mean honestly, I expect you to say way dumber stuff, so I
Speaker 2 00:36:16 Know. Well, I mean, <laugh>, it's not so far, it's so good.
Speaker 1 00:36:19 We also aren't drinking booze, so that's probably why we're doing great today. Yeah. After, after that
Speaker 2 00:36:24 Night. You should say something really stupid when that happens.
Speaker 1 00:36:26 Are you going back to the show tonight or No?
Speaker 2 00:36:27 I don't know. I was thinking about doing that and I was also thinking about, uh, Netflix in my bed.
Speaker 1 00:36:33 Those both sound like great options,
Speaker 2 00:36:35 Honestly. So Yeah. I
Speaker 1 00:36:36 <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:36:37 A
Speaker 1 00:36:38 Toss. Yeah. I'm hosting the writers round tomorrow, so I'm like, yeah. Can't go too hard tonight. Yeah. You
Speaker 2 00:36:43 Know, and then I've realized like with everything going on, like the, if I have a minute to like chill, like I have to let my, I I have to make myself do that cuz like I have a hard time just sitting down and not doing anything. Yeah. And then my body's like, Hey, can you like drink some water and, you know, eat something with as green.
Speaker 1 00:37:03 Yeah. My old body does that too. Like, I was living on five hours of sleep for the longest time mm-hmm. <affirmative> and eventually it was just like, all right dude, you need to take like some time to do this. And it's funny because like for the start of race, rowdy, like a few years in, I literally didn't watch any tv mm-hmm. <affirmative>, like probably like the first two and a half years I would like maybe watch an hour of TV a week and it was just like, I just had to keep going, just keep going. I burnt myself out pretty good doing that <laugh>. So Yeah. I, uh, I have taken some time where I'm like, yeah, I'm just gonna chill. And like
Speaker 2 00:37:35 I know, you know, but then someone's like, Hey, you're doing this or not, and you're like, God,
Speaker 1 00:37:38 But I gotta do that too. Right. Yeah. And that's what, that's what like, I try to explain to people, I'm like, part of this thing is like going out and being around people. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, especially like as an artist, you're finding co-writers, you're finding friends, you know, you're possibly finding like a band if you don't have it already, you know what I mean? Yeah. Like you're meeting folks. And then, um, the other part of it is like, for me it's like going out and seeing what's happening. So I have to be at writers' rounds to see who's good at a writer's round. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, not all of 'em are live streamed. Like ours is gonna be mm-hmm. <affirmative> <laugh>. But it's like, it's one of those things where that's super beneficial, like going out and just seeing what's working, who's, who has people coming to see them.
Speaker 1 00:38:16 Yeah. You know what I mean? Because that's part of it too. Mm-hmm. It's like, I remember watching Sean Stem play one of our writers rounds when we were just doing takeovers mm-hmm. <affirmative> of other writers' rounds and like watching the line of people to wanted to talk to him as he got off stage. And I'm like, oh crap. Yeah. Like this is like, that's a thing. Yeah. You know what I mean? It's just interesting to see that, you know, like who's coming to see who mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, and sometimes it's their friends and sometimes it's just random fans. Yeah. And that's when it's like, when you start going to a round and you see like a crowd show up of random people that don't know their performer, you're like, oh crap, this is happening. You know? I, and sometimes that's like from TikTok or whatever, it's from just Buzz in town mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know what I mean? But I always love seeing that and you can't catch that if you're not at the event. I know. You know,
Speaker 2 00:38:59 But then sometimes you're like, Ugh,
Speaker 1 00:39:01 I gotta go watch Netflix and chill on my bed. I gotta go watch Netflix until Yeah. I gotta sleep for 14 hours. Yeah. <laugh>, I do. I gotta, I gotta do that too. I mix, I'm mix 'em. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:39:08 I'm so looking forward. I have three weeks off. I, I mean, I'm not really off, but like, I'm not riding Yeah. For three weeks in December. Yeah. I'm just gonna go home and hunt
Speaker 1 00:39:17 Sleep.
Speaker 2 00:39:17 Oh, that's great. I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 00:39:19 I, uh, didn't realize when I got this new job that like, we really actually get off in December for three weeks and I was like, this what? Yeah. Like every job I've had literally since college mm-hmm. <affirmative> the busiest time of the year was the holidays. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and I was like, oh, it's gonna be the same. It's, you know, it's just gonna be go, go, go to the end of the year. Yeah. They're like, oh no, we're off from like December 14th through January 3rd. I was like, what?
Speaker 2 00:39:42 Best time ever. I
Speaker 1 00:39:43 Mean, I'm sure I'm still gonna be working and doing stuff like
Speaker 2 00:39:45 Yeah. Ashville's just kind of like everyone, like they just Yeah. But right now is the crazy time. Yeah. Because everyone's trying to like, finish everything, get everything done so they can like, enjoy Yeah. Their time off. Well,
Speaker 1 00:39:55 That's it. Like the key with me getting three weeks off is getting three weeks ahead on content. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like that's the only way that
Speaker 2 00:40:03 Actually works. I know. It's not really ever, like, you're not working. Like that's one thing with this job is like you're constantly working Yeah. From the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep. Pretty much.
Speaker 1 00:40:11 Yeah. Um, and it's, it's a mindset thing, you know? Yeah. Like, you have to, even if you're not working, like there are things that are happening in your life where you're finding things to write about mm-hmm. <affirmative> or you're like, you're like thinking about your next type of action plan or you're seeing what's working for someone else and Yeah. Identifying if that would work for you or not. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, so it's, that's what it's, your brain's never shut off from it. No. Even when it's, you're not working, you know? Yeah, for sure. Because I'm sure that you'll be out at Red Door and you'll hear something, someone say something or write it down and write a song about it. You know what I mean? Or whatever. Yeah. I guess. Uh, maybe we could get sponsored by Red Door <laugh>. We've
Speaker 2 00:40:45 Mentioned it so many dozens. But
Speaker 1 00:40:46 Guess I would just like to be sponsored for like half price drinks All
Speaker 2 00:40:49 I want is just free potato salad for life. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:40:52 Cause one order of potato salad every
Speaker 2 00:40:54 Time we answer bag. I remember night I was with a whole group of people that, uh, had an ever taste of the potato salad. Oh yeah. And I ordered like two things of it and I was like, everyone has their own fork. Take a bite to this potato salad. Yeah. I was just like, this is mandatory.
Speaker 1 00:41:06 We were there last night and they were like, we don't have anyone in the kitchen. And I was like, I didn't, had not ate dinner. And I was like, stunned. I
Speaker 2 00:41:13 Like, yeah. I was like,
Speaker 1 00:41:14 What do you mean <laugh>?
Speaker 2 00:41:16 Do I need to go back there? Did I
Speaker 1 00:41:18 Get, I'm like, I just want potato salad. Just scoop it. Yeah,
Speaker 2 00:41:22 I know. It's in the fridge. I know,
Speaker 1 00:41:23 I know. It's in there. I know you have unlimited of this back
Speaker 2 00:41:25 There. You just started a whole entire like thing where you're like, I know the potato salads in the fridge.
Speaker 1 00:41:30 It's uh, it's like, that's like the go-to spot for me since I've moved to town, I think. Yeah. And then of course Live Oak.
Speaker 2 00:41:37 Yeah. Live Oak's. Really? Like I love Live Oak. Live Oak. There was only a few rounds there when I Yeah. When I first moved here and now like every round that's a spot, like a lot of big rounds are there. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:41:47 That's a spot. Hasten. And you know, the team have done a great job of getting people that love music mm-hmm. <affirmative> and having some killer rounds. Uh, I mean I like the one that's on Sundays like once or twice a month. Rowdy on the road. Yeah. That's cool. But like Matt in the round, Grindhouse is great. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> some of the other ones that don't even happen every week. Like something we're saying there's Yeah. They're just killer rounds and sounds great. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. I wish Nick was there every time that we're there, but now he's out on the road with Trey, you know? Yeah. <laugh>. So, uh, but also, um, I know we talked about Auburn. They got a pretty big game coming up in two weeks, huh?
Speaker 2 00:42:22 Yeah. The Iron Bowl. The
Speaker 1 00:42:23 Iron Bowl, yeah. So our second podcast sponsor is a company called Action 24 7. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, they're Tennessee's only Tennessee owned Sportsbook. Right. So like if you're in Tennessee, which we are. Yeah. And you want to bet with Ella and I, uh, we're gonna be betting on Auburn to beat Alabama with action 24 7. I'm gonna put in a $20 bet for you. Really? Yeah. So if you win, you'll have like $38 or something. That'd be awesome.
Speaker 2 00:42:51 <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:42:52 <laugh>. But uh, if you, if you are in Tennessee, you have to be in Tennessee to play. If you use Code Rowdy, you'll hear that a lot. Uh, you can get a $400 dollar for dollar match on your first deposit, really with action 24 7. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Yeah. So, I mean, I don't have $400 right now that I can put in, but I got 50 <laugh>. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:43:10 <laugh>. I know everyone in our house is always betting on some game. Well,
Speaker 1 00:43:14 We gotta get 'em on extra 24 7 and use code rowdy. We'll we will. Yeah. If you're gonna do degenerate stuff. Yeah. Do you degenerate stuff with a local Tennessee business? Exactly. You know's
Speaker 2 00:43:22 What I'm saying? That's
Speaker 1 00:43:23 The way to do it. Know and
Speaker 2 00:43:24 If and bet on Auburn called
Speaker 1 00:43:25 Rowdy. It supports Ray's Rowdy, which is great. <laugh>. Yeah, that too. But they're one of our round sponsors too, as you, you've probably seen on the, the backdrop. Great. Folks. And it's like one of those things where it's like there's all these big companies that are from Vegas or wherever mm-hmm. <affirmative>. But there's one that's like a small in town shop mm-hmm. <affirmative> and they're cool as heck and they're out at events. Go out free beers if you download the app and stuff. Yeah. Action 24 7. We're stoked to have 'em as a partner. Action
Speaker 2 00:43:49 24 7.
Speaker 1 00:43:50 Yeah. We love them. And I'm just thankful that you got to, uh, be here with me on this. Oh, thanks for having me. Beautiful. Saturday where we we're both just slightly hungover. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:44:00 I need a sandwich from the gas station and I'm better now. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:44:03 I went and got like a diet coke and it uh, like a bacon cheeseburger and I was like, I just need this, you know,
Speaker 2 00:44:09 We drove around, uh, me and Joy Beth drove around to like four different places last night looking for food. And the only place Waffle House wasn't even like, they weren't even letting us go in there. So the only place I was open was Jack's. And they have these like tiny taco things. Have you ever had
Speaker 1 00:44:24 Those? Oh yeah. Yeah. Gross.
Speaker 2 00:44:25 Really? Yeah, because I thought they were, I was just probably really drunk, but thought they were really good. I was like, I can't believe so much food in here. <laugh>. I was like, this is amazing.
Speaker 1 00:44:34 Yeah. If you think that that food is good, then you are very inebriated. That's
Speaker 2 00:44:38 Then I must have drug her than I thought.
Speaker 1 00:44:41 Yeah, they're
Speaker 2 00:44:41 Very bad because I remember sitting there and being like to different, they're just great idea.
Speaker 1 00:44:45 Yeah. They're just like many little deep fried quasi tacos. They're not really like, they're just tortilla and meat.
Speaker 2 00:44:50 We had a like 10 minute conversation. How do we think they make those? Like, I, I
Speaker 1 00:44:54 Have no idea, honestly. Like they just dip 'em in grease, I think is how they make
Speaker 2 00:44:58 'em. Yeah. Maybe that's why they were so
Speaker 1 00:44:59 Good. <laugh>. Uh, let's get sponsored by them too. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:45:02 Tiny tacos please.
Speaker 1 00:45:03 Tiny tacos. We love
Speaker 2 00:45:04 Tiny tacos.
Speaker 1 00:45:06 <laugh>. Well, I think it's about time to us to do those 20 questions. Oh God. You ready for that?
Speaker 2 00:45:12 No.
Speaker 1 00:45:12 Well, it's not gonna be here on the podcast. It's gonna, it's gonna be on YouTube. Me too. So we're gonna make everybody go to LS YouTube. While you're there, please subscribe. Please subscribe. Put a bunch of dope music on there as well. I try to. And uh, I'm just so thankful to get to see like your career start to blossom. Right. Thanks, dude. From, I know we talked like originally and it was like, I just don't know what I wanna say yet. I remember like mm-hmm. Before you like got to town. Like what, like what you wanted your sound to be. Yeah. You got it. Figure it out now.
Speaker 2 00:45:38 I think so. Yeah. I mean, I, I've, I think I'm figuring it out. Yeah,
Speaker 1 00:45:41 I'd love to see it. Yeah. Love to see your guys girl gang like growing. I said like, like it's like you see that like bad bitch group in country music and it's like, the one that was like happening is like popping now is like Laney mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, it's like, and they, they kind of brought in Ashlynn, but it's like Laney, Casey, Farn. Yeah. Like Hannah, you know Megan, Patrick. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, gentle A master. Yeah. And I love seeing that crossover with your guys group too. So you're like writing with some of those girls.
Speaker 2 00:46:09 Yeah, it's close. We're friends with all them too. Yeah. And they're so like, you know, great. I just feel like everyone we're surrounded by right now is like, dude, everyone's just so supportive of each other. And like a lot of the times, like first me, the Nashville, it's nerve wracking because it is a competitive town. Yeah. But I think it's more competitive with yourself. Yeah. If you realize it's more competitive with yourself and not with everyone else around you, then changes your view of everything.
Speaker 1 00:46:30 And, and the key is they want to, people wanna see you work hard mm-hmm. <affirmative> and they want to see you be a good person. Yeah. Right. And once they see that, then they're like, okay. Yeah. Yeah. It's the, it's, it's the same thing for me. It's like when I got to town, people got to see that I wasn't just someone that was nice when I was here one week a year. Yeah. You know what I mean? You can fake that for sure, you know, but you can't fake it all the time. No. You know? Yeah. So that's when people were like, okay, I get it now. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:46:54 It's cool to see. And it's cool. Like the other night, seeing Laney on the cmt, I was like, ah, that was so cool. Yeah. And it's just like, um, I don't know, just seeing other people succeed, like that's exciting, you know?
Speaker 1 00:47:03 Well, and like, dude, let's talk about her having a number one song, one of the few female medals I know in the freaking industry and couldn't happen to a better freaking person. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> know,
Speaker 2 00:47:11 Her story's one of my favorites in this sound. So great. I I listened to the podcast that y'all had. Yeah. Um, that was the first time I heard it with the whole like, living in a trailer thing. It's nuts. And Luke comes for his co-write in town and Yeah. She's just grinding her ass off the whole time. And that's like, you know, people like that are just for new artists in town, it's like, I just, that's someone, someone to look up to. Yeah. You
Speaker 1 00:47:30 Know? Yeah. It's like you do things, you do it the right way and you push forward, right? Yeah. And that's a benchmark. Yeah. There's, that's what success looks like.
Speaker 2 00:47:36 I think the main thing in this town is just work your ass off. Yeah. And never stop,
Speaker 1 00:47:40 Work your ass off and don't do it in a way where you're putting anyone else down. Exactly. Just do it in a way where you're raising yourself and the people around you up. Exactly. That's the keys.
Speaker 2 00:47:47 Keep your blinders on. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:47:49 That's the key to success here. Yeah. Yeah. We'll love it. And I can't wait to see even more success from you. I'm excited. All right. So guys, uh, I'm Nikki t and this is Ella Langley. And uh, this is a Raise Rowdy podcast. And we'll see you at the front row of an Ella Langley show. <laugh> now off to YouTube land.
Speaker 0 00:48:07 All the good old days.
