Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: Jaylyn Todd
Nix Ironstone (Formerly known as Nicole Rayy) she spent over a decade making her mark in the Canadian country scene, building a loyal fanbase and earning a reputation for championing women in music. Now, with a new name and a bold new rock sound that’s been simmering under the surface, she’s stepping fully into who she’s always been.
Under her new moniker, Nix Ironstone is turning up the heat and letting the darkness speak. Blending indie/alternative rock and goth pop with a fierce feminine edge, Nix is stepping fully into her power with a bold new sound that’s raw, dark and unapologetic.Think Evanescence meets The Pretty Reckless – haunting melodies, cinematic grit, and anthemic hooks that punch you right in the heart.
Her debut single as Nix Ironstone, “Dead To Me,” dropped in October 2025 and set the tone for everything that’s to come. Co-written with award-winning international pop artist Malory, who also co-produced the track with Canadian songwriter and JUNO-winning producer Hill Kourkoutis (SATE, The Cliks), the track is a blistering power anthem about loyalty, heartbreak, and female solidarity. It’s the song you scream-sing with your best friend after someone breaks her heart – fierce, cathartic, and entirely unforgettable.
I had the opportunity to chat with Nix about her bold new sound, her musical journey so far, and what’s next.
Kat: “Dead To Me” is your debut single under the name Nix Ironstone. Can you talk about the inspiration behind the track, and how it reflects this new chapter for you musically?
Nix: “Dead To Me” came from a place of wanting to reclaim strength in the face of betrayal. I’ve seen so many of my friends hurt by people they trusted, and I’m the kind of person who always shows up for the people I love. The song is both an anthem for anyone who’s been wronged and a way of saying, enough is enough. Musically, it’s darker, rawer, and unapologetic — exactly where I feel I am right now. It is the perfect song to introduce Nix Ironstone because it sets the tone for this new era: bold, emotional, and not afraid to get a little messy.
Kat: You’ve transitioned from your country music career as Nicole Rayy into a darker, alt-rock sound as Nix Ironstone. What do you hope fans, both old and new, take away from this track and from your evolution as an artist?
Nix: I hope long-time fans hear the same honesty and storytelling they’ve always connected with — just dressed in a new sonic outfit. And for new listeners, I want them to feel the intensity and empowerment in the music. At the end of the day, my goal hasn’t changed: to make songs that connect with people on a real, human level. This shift just allows me to dig into a side of myself I’ve been craving to share for a long time.
Kat: Has the shift in sound and identity changed the way you approach your creative process? What do you find to be the most challenging part of it now?
Nix: Definitely. As Nicole Rayy, I often wrote with a specific genre in mind — leaning into country’s structures and expectations. As Nix Ironstone, I’ve given myself permission to break rules. That freedom is exciting, but it’s also a challenge because there are no boundaries. I’m constantly asking myself: what feels authentic? What serves the song? It’s about trusting instinct more than formula, and that can be both liberating and terrifying.
Kat: Looking back, what has been a career highlight for you so far, whether as Nicole Rayy or now as Nix Ironstone and what lessons have you carried into this new era?
Nix: One of the biggest highlights was founding HarmoniaFest and watching it grow into a space that uplifts female and non-binary artists. It reminded me of the power of creating your own lane when one isn’t given to you. That lesson — to carve your own path, even if it’s unconventional — is something I’ve carried straight into becoming Nix Ironstone. Reinventing myself has been scary, but I know from experience that the risk is worth the reward when you stay true to yourself.
Kat: With “Dead To Me” marking such a bold fresh start, what’s next for Nix Ironstone?
Nix: This is just the beginning. “Dead To Me” opens the door, but there’s so much more waiting on the other side. I’ve been working on a collection of songs that dive even deeper into this alt-rock / goth-pop world, and I can’t wait to share them. Visually and sonically, I want to build an immersive world for listeners to step into — one that’s a little dark, a little dangerous, but also empowering. The new era has only just begun.
Connect With Nix Ironstone:
https://nixironstone.com
https://www.facebook.com/NixIronstone
https://www.instagram.com/nixironstone
https://www.tiktok.com/@nixironstone
https://x.com/NixIronstone
https://www.youtube.com/@NixIronstone