Artist Glimpse: Nix Ironstone
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Eight-time CMA Ontario nominee Nix Ironstone—formerly Nicole Rayy—is redefining her artistry. After building a legacy in country music through empowering songs and the groundbreaking HarmoniaFest, she has pivoted to rock. As she enters this bold new era, her mission remains the same: channeling her fire to amplify women in music.
Rob Aguiar - You’ve pivoted from country artist to rock as Nix Ironstone. What inspired this bold transition, and what challenges have you faced while redefining your sound, image, and industry presence?
Nix Ironstone - The shift to Nix Ironstone has been building for years. While country music provided an incredible foundation, I realized I was creatively editing myself. I finally gave myself permission to lead with the darker, cinematic influences I’ve always loved. This transition came down to honesty; I knew that to avoid burnout or resentment, I had to step into my most authentic self.
Nix Ironstone is a space where I no longer translate my feelings to be palatable, but let them be raw and unapologetic. Redefining my sound, visuals, and industry perception after a decade in one genre is a challenge, and reintroducing yourself is scary because not everyone will follow. However, I’ve learned that the right audience feels the music immediately without needing to be convinced.
Internally, I had to stop relying on awards and metrics to validate my creative decisions. This era prioritizes alignment over approval. Instead of fitting into a box, I am building a world that is unmistakably mine and inviting in those who are ready for it.
RA - You have described your new single “Dead to Me” as raw, heavy, and emotional. Vulnerability is often the hallmark of great songwriting. How do you decide how much of your own personal story to reveal in your songs and are there boundaries you’ve set for yourself when writing?
NI - Vulnerability is essential for me, and I do write from my own life, but it’s always about capturing the emotional truth rather than documenting every single detail. With Dead To Me, the story is personal, but the feeling is universal. It’s about that moment when you have to emotionally cut ties with something or someone, and my hope is that anyone can see themselves in the lyrics, even if their story looks very different from mine. I’m mindful of boundaries and intentional about protecting the people in my life, but I’m also not afraid to tell it exactly how it is.
RA - In my interview with Rik Emmett from Triumph, he said that the best songs are the ones with several doors and windows for listeners to find and explore over time. The idea that a lyric’s unexpected resonance adds to the strength of a song. As a songwriter, do you lean toward leaving things more open-ended so listeners can interpret the lyrics through their own emotions and stories?
NI - I love that way of describing it, because I really believe the perfect song has both. I do like giving specific details, especially surrounding the emotion of the song. The goal is to make the listener feel like the song was written just for them, even though it came from a very real place in my own life.
That’s the beautiful thing about art. There will always be different ways to interpret it, and those interpretations can evolve over time as people change. I certainly leave space in my writing for listeners to bring their own emotions and experiences into the song. If someone hears one line and thinks, “Oh wow, this song really gets me,” then I’ve done my job.
RA - Shifting genres takes immense energy. When you hit inevitable creative blocks, how do you recharge and keep your inspiration flowing?
NI - Creative blocks usually signal I’m writing too much back-to-back. Music stems from life experience; if you aren’t living, you eventually have nothing new to say. When stagnation hits, I’ve learned to step away rather than push harder.
Recharging means doing "human" things—traveling, spending time with loved ones, or simply observing the world without hunting for lyrics. These moments refill the well, bringing back natural flow and clarity.
RA - How do the HarmoniaFest and Songwriting Series projects connect to your new persona as Nix Ironstone, and how will they evolve alongside you?
NI - Harmonia has always been about creating space for women and non-binary artists to be seen and supported. That mission persists even as my sound evolves. Transitioning into Nix Ironstone aligns perfectly with this purpose, as this era is rooted in authenticity and refusing to shrink.
HarmoniaFest and the Songwriter Series reflect these values: community, collaboration, and championing artists who carve their own paths. As I grow, I envision Harmonia becoming even more genre-fluid and inclusive. At its core, the project isn't tied to one sound; it is a commitment to empowering artists to take up space unapologetically. That throughline connects everything I do, whether I’m performing or building platforms for others.
RA - Imagine you’re walking into the studio tomorrow and you see a 'Reserved' sign for a collaborator. If you could see any rock legend’s name on that sign—someone whose style would create a wild, unexpected chemistry with Nix Ironstone—who would it be?
NI - Growing up, Linkin Park was my absolute favorite band and they still are! I actually got to see them in concert this past summer in Toronto, which was such a full-circle moment for me. It’s always been a dream of mine to collaborate with them or even open for them. Back when I was making country music, our worlds felt far apart, but now with this new sound, I feel like it would be such a cool collaboration.
RA - Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with us today. It’s been incredible to get a glimpse into your heart as a songwriter and to hear about this powerful evolution into your 'Ironstone' era. We are so excited to see you bring that raw energy and those stories to the stage on February 1st for the GLIMPSE LIVE EVENT at The Rec Room, Square One. Mississauga is in for a real treat! We’re counting down the days and looking forward to seeing you take the stage!
NI - Thank you so much for having me! I loved the conversation and really appreciate the thoughtful questions.
I’m so excited to bring this new era to the GLIMPSE LIVE Event on February 1st and can’t wait to share this energy on stage with everyone in Mississauga.
