Elizabeth Nichols: From Law School To Country Star

[00:00:08] Elizabeth Nichols, welcome to Whiskey Riff Raff. Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here. Usually I try to keep the small talk to a minimum because everything we talk about, like before the microphones turn on, I'm like, okay, we should hit record. I'm like, sorry if I felt a little awkward before this. I'm like, I just don't dive in. I have so many questions. Just don't dive in. I love to talk. Don't worry. I can talk more. Okay, good. Good, good. Don't worry. We did talk crawfish before we got started because you have a crawfish boiled.

[00:00:34] I'm just like super sick. That's a great schedule to have, I feel like to end a day on a crawfish boil. Guys, I don't know if I like crawfish, but I like the idea of crawfish. It's like, like I enjoy doing it, but I don't know if I would if it didn't come in like such a fun package. I don't know if it's fun because you're outside, you get to like drink light beer and like a picnic. It's a great experience. It's for the experience. Yeah. I'm excited. Awesome. Well, we have so many questions, so many things to dive into.

[00:01:02] The first thing that I definitely need some explanation on is when your bio got sent over. It says that you were born in Texas, raised on a Kentucky farm, educated in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Australia. Wait, the Kentucky farm is a lie. I don't know. Really? I've seen that on like three things. Okay. And I think it came from famous birthdays. Oh. Do you know the famous birthdays like neon pink like site? Yeah, it says it on there. And I think a couple people read that and like just ran with it. Okay. I did not grow up on a farm in Kentucky. Okay. Good to know.

[00:01:31] We do farm in Oklahoma, cotton in Oklahoma. So there is farming. It's not like a, but not in Kentucky. Okay. Any Kentucky background at all? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I lived in all those places. Okay. But the farm. The farm was just a farm. Okay. But this is not your fault. I've seen it a few times. Okay, okay. That's a lot of life to live already before your music career, before moving to Nashville. So kind of just wanted to ask about, you know, growing up all over the place and how that happened and how that shaped your career coming to Nashville.

[00:02:01] I was in Texas till I was like 12 or 13 and then spent high school years in Kentucky, college in Oklahoma, and then more college in Australia. And then now I'm here. Okay. Okay. Awesome. So that's the process. Okay. That's where everything is back and forth. And then coming to Nashville, a lot has happened. Yeah. Your life has probably turned upside down. It has.

[00:02:29] How long have you been in Nashville up to this point? A year and a half. Okay. So not too long. And for the listeners who might not know what your journey has been like, can you just kind of like get a rundown of what has all happened? Well, I graduated from college and I moved here to start law school because I was already accepted at Belmont Law before I even like started music at all. And then I was posting on TikTok for like fun.

[00:02:56] I'd like post like, I'd wrote, I love, I was a writing major in college and my undergrad. And then I got my master's in accounting. And whenever I was doing my master's in accounting, I really missed writing. So I was like, this would be fun. Like I'll just like start writing songs. It's a little different, but I started posting them and I still just post songs I write. I just do the same thing. Just now it's, I do it more. What a wild way to come to Nashville though. Yeah.

[00:03:23] And then for it to all work out where now you're a musician in Nashville rather than someone who's working on their law degree. Yeah. All my best friends are still in law school and people ask me, they're like, are you ever going to go back to law school? And I'm like, it's kind of like having a friend with a boat. It's like, why would I buy a boat when you have a boat? Exactly. It's like my four best friends are all going to graduate in a year. I'm like, why would I get a law degree? You have a lot of degree.

[00:03:51] So you would have been on track if you would have stayed in law school, you'd be done next year. Okay. Gotcha. But Belmont already like hinting at the music, but that's not why you're going to go there at all. No, not at all. It was just, did you have any idea that this is what your life would turn into or just being in Nashville might have, you might have these opportunities? No. Okay. No clue. I would, if you would have told me this is where I'd be two years ago, I would never believe you and neither would anyone around me.

[00:04:20] Like, maybe like Elizabeth sings. Like, so what, what was that one video, that one thing that kind of just changed it for you? It was just kind of consistent. Okay. I mean, definitely I got a new one, like shifted like everything, like, like, okay, now it's time to maybe pursue this full time. Um, so whenever we put that song out and people started liking it, I think that that was definitely like the total shifter. But before that there were like tons of videos and songs.

[00:04:49] So I think it was just kind of building towards it. Well, and then whenever it finally does click, you're already in Nashville. Like that's a really convenient. Yeah. It was a perfect place to be. I was like, wow, I should have planned it this way. I didn't, but it was, it really worked out. How did you start breaking the news to like your friends and family? Like, Hey, by the way, the law thing. Yeah. I called my dad. Um, he, that was a conversation. I'm sure. But I was like, it was kind of a soft and blow cause I already have my undergrad and

[00:05:18] I have my master's in accounting. Like I have a lot, I've done a lot of school. You're already an overachiever. I was like, guys, come on. Like this is gonna be fun. So it ended up working out and everyone is very supportive. So what's it like to go viral? Because I can't even imagine what like the dopamine hit is like. And then like what is happening to your phone. Maybe even stress too. It's like you're sitting like, Oh my gosh. No, it's awesome. Okay. Okay. I love attention.

[00:05:48] Um, going viral. I remember especially at first, like I would get like 10,000 views on a video and be like hyperventilating. Like I'd be like, this is so cool. And I like couldn't get off my phone. Like I would be on my phone for like just refreshing and like reading comments and reading comments and reading comments, which thank God. I think that like you like get used to that cause that's definitely not healthy, but there was a long period of time where that's how I was. And now it's just really cool. It's like, okay, well people resonate with this and people like this and I'm glad they do.

[00:06:18] Are you one of those people who pay attention to all the positive ones or do you just like still see the 1% that might be negative? Oh, I see them all. I love it. You love it. I love it. Oh my gosh. Yes. I love it. Like, I think that is such an honor that people have an opinion about something that I made. And whether that is like, I love it or I hate it and I hate you. So it's like, well, thank you. Like it's evoking emotion. It is evoking emotion. And that is such an honor for me to be able to do. I love conversation. I wanted to be a lawyer.

[00:06:47] I love disagreeing. We can disagree all day. You can hate my music. It's okay. Like there's lots of music I don't like and that's they're still talented. Yeah, right. It's still good objectively like to somebody. So, and I love it. It's art. Yeah. It's so, I'm, I like, I literally, um, TikTok filters your comment section. So like you have to like go through and there's like, and you have to accept like comments that are like really hateful.

[00:07:14] And I literally go through on all my videos and I like push, I like hand accept all of the comments. Cause I'm like, this is a freedom of speech. And also freedom of speech on my page. Y'all can dislike this. Also your fans probably like stand up for you one. And then like, I'm sure you clap back and a funny quirky way. I never really do. Oh really? My brother. Sometimes I'll see like my brother. If you ever see John Nichols in the comment section, that's, that's my little brother. Brother's coming in and back. Yeah. That's awesome. Coming to a night for me. So.

[00:07:45] Well, I just think that, uh, you know, with your background, right, being kind of growing up and moving around in so many different places, like, are you hearing from people like that you made connections with in those areas? Like, Oh my gosh, Elizabeth, we're so happy for you. Yeah. It's so cool. Mm-hmm. I went home for Easter this weekend. And like, even going to church is so cool. Cause it's like these little girls, I was, I've been a camp counselor every summer for my church. Every summer. And it's like little girls, you know, they're like eight, nine.

[00:08:15] And I went into the, up to say hi to everybody. And like, they're like, Oh, can we hear your autograph? Like guys, we, I babysat you. Yeah. I know you. Like, okay. But like I babysat you. So it's really fun. Like everyone gets excited and everyone's so supportive and you know, we've never, it's just my friends and family are wonderful. All your music is like very sarcastic and very like tongue in cheek. And there's a lot of things that eight year old girls probably don't get. Yeah.

[00:08:43] Do you think their parents still let them listen to the music? They do. I don't say cuss words. Okay. There's no cuss words in the music. Yeah. So they're, they're allowed. I don't know if it's the best. No, I think I'm fine. Yeah. Yeah. That's fine. They'll be fine. There's way worse. Yes. There's way worse. Without a doubt. There's way worse. Yeah. And have you had a moment where you're at a grocery store or you're doing this or that and someone comes up to you? Like, have you had that kind of? Yeah. Ugh.

[00:09:11] And see, I don't personally think I would like that, but you seem like the type of person that's like, you seem like an attention worker. Well, you just said you like attention. I was just going off of what you had said earlier. No, yeah. But yeah, like what is that experience like? Cause you know, maybe there were years where you could go out to the grocery and you're in a lot of mess and now that's kind of going away. It does not bother me at all. Of course, like people, these people are, do everything for me. Like people who listen to my music, of course I can talk to you for 10 minutes. I'd love to.

[00:09:40] Like, I love saying hi. I love meeting people. I always say I sing so I can talk to people, not I talk to people so I can sing. Like, my favorite part of it is the people and meeting friends and people who like the music and relate and hearing how it's helped them. It's like the most rewarding thing. Yeah. I love it. I know that some of my artist friends like do get like anxious or stressed like when they go out cause they're like, oh, I can tell that person's watching me or I can tell.

[00:10:08] I am so like, I don't know what's going on. Like I walk into a room and it's like, I don't know where the exits are. Like I'm not that, I am not safety conscious. Like I am. And it's honestly really great cause I'm like never, I never am like, ooh, that person's watching me. I never, until they like are tapping me on the shoulder being like, I like your songs. You wouldn't even know. I have no clue. Zero clue. Which is kind of nice. You pay attention to what's in front of you. I do.

[00:10:37] I also can't see very much farther than what's in front of me and it really ends up working out. I'm the same way, but I just feel like I'm not, yeah, I'm just not observant to anything. I'm not observant at all. I'm literally, it's like, wait. When I'm with my boyfriend, I'm like, that's what men are for. Exactly. Exactly. My friends are very observant. Yeah. They watch for me. So do you, would you, do you still go out on like Broadway and stuff or is that kind of limited at this point? No, I don't care. I'd love to go out. Okay. That's fun. That's fun. You meet people.

[00:11:07] It's like, it doesn't bother me. I think if it bothered me, I wouldn't. Yeah. It's like, yeah, it sounds like it's very, the take you have on it's very refreshing. It's like, the least I can do is stand there and talk to someone for a couple of minutes. I don't have a job. I rhyme. Like my job is to rhyme words because people want to hear that. So yeah, I can talk to you. I go like, what? That's great. I'm happy. I love doing it. And you have your master's in accounting. This might be a bad attempt at a connection by me. Right. So just tell me straight up if it's bad. Okay.

[00:11:36] But I feel like with accounting, there's a lot of like fitting numbers in certain places. Yeah, there is. And like unlocking things, right? A hundred percent. Do you feel the same way about songwriting? A hundred percent. Sweet. Because like, songwriting, like English versus math in school, I've always heard a lot of people be like, oh, well, math is objective and English is subjective. I don't think English is that subjective. Like there is a better line. There is a best line for a song. You can like write a song and every line is perfect. Yeah.

[00:12:05] That's my goal to write every line be perfect. And so I really liked that challenge of like going and being like, okay, well, which is the weakest line in this verse? And how do we beat that? Which is the weakest line in this chorus? Like, and how do we beat that? How do we make it better? Which is a very mathematical way of approaching it, which sometimes songs just fall out. And that's also beautiful. There's different ways to, different songs have different ways of unlocking them. Yeah.

[00:12:31] And most songs, you know, have a rhyme in them, but like yours feels very intentional to rhyme. And it's just like, I don't know, the nuance, like the quirkiness of it. Storytelling is great. Thank you. So where does like, where does your musical inspiration come from? Because very few artists are like that, like hitting the nail on the head for when it comes to like rhyming and stuff. Yeah. I love storytelling. I, as I've said, I was a English major in my undergrad. And so a lot of poetry, a lot of short stories.

[00:13:00] And that's like kind of what I wanted to do with, even with law, like there's so much writing. All you do is write and read. And so it's kind of cool that I get to use that in like a different way. I do think that I, I like, I love this side of it so much more because you get to be so creative. Even like I grew up doing Christian, like I was in church and I sang at church, that was the only place I sang. And I would try to write Christian songs.

[00:13:28] And I'm like so creative and I'm like, I can't get creative or it's sacrilegious. Yeah. Like you can't get creative with like the gospel. Like, let me just throw it a little sparkle. But I have so many influences that have helped me learn, not only like coming to town and writing with such amazing songwriters and like learning the craft, because it is so much different than writing a book.

[00:13:53] Um, but also listening to, you know, I grew up on Toby Keith and Casey Musgraves and John Prine and like the greats who are geniuses. Like it makes you mad when you listen to their music because it's so good. And also pop music. I love pop music. I love Katy Perry. I'm obsessed with Olivia Rodrigo. I'm so excited about her new album. It's a part of my personality. Like right now I'm really, really excited.

[00:14:18] So like melodically, I'm very inspired by like amazing songs that just make you feel good and you want to listen to and you like it. So was there any part of you that slowly started to see that law probably wasn't going to be in your future just because that can be so black and white and non creative? Was there? Well, you also have to be kind of creative as a lawyer. True. Very true. It's kind of funny because, you know, when people join the music industry, it's like, be careful.

[00:14:45] Like you're like, there are demons. And it's like, I was going to be a lawyer. The music industry saved me. Yes. Seriously. I'm so morally sound. I'm great. But no, I think it was more of a timing thing. I couldn't do both. You kind of have to be in a seat for law school and it's really hard to tour into being a seat. Yes. So I would have loved, I loved law school. I had a lot of fun with it.

[00:15:15] I don't regret going at all. Going back to musical inspirations. Do you think you get compared to Kacey Musgraves the most when people talk to you? I get that a lot. Yeah. Which I love it. Yeah, yeah. Fantastic. I love that. And a lot of different people. I do get the Olivia Rodrigo comment sometimes. And I don't know if I get that a lot or I just really see those comments because I love it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. But definitely Kacey. Okay. I mean, she's a genius.

[00:15:42] I want to ask about like the visual part of being an artist. And when you said like you were going to a styling appointment before this. I was. So it's like how do you decide what your clothing is going to say, your album covers are going to say because that's also a part I find so like creative and interesting that plays into the music as well. I grew up on Taylor Swift music videos. And they are the best. Yes. Like if you want a master class on how to make a video, a music video, watch all of Taylor

[00:16:12] Swift's old videos. They're amazing. They tell such cool stories. And it's not always exactly what the song sang. It's like something parallel, which I think is so inspiring and so exciting because it's like a whole new project, a whole new story you get to write. So I, and I feel like country is getting more into that because for a long time, like it's like, okay, well grab your guitar and go sit in the field and strum some, you know, and that's the music video.

[00:16:37] But I think that like it's really opening up to like more storytelling in visual manners as well, which I find so exciting. So yeah, it's just like a, you know, it fits. You always, I think whenever I come to like stylings and stuff, I'm like, well, if I like it. Yeah. And I usually like pretty consistent things. So then it's like, okay, well, that's a brand. Like it's like, you know, it's, it's a, it's a fun process to go through.

[00:17:06] And for the, your new EP that's coming out in June, what is like the theme for this one? I'm sure you have like a, your little eras as well. I can't say too much. Okay. But it's really going to be fun. Yeah. Good music. And what was the decision to release an EP after? Well, so I was looking on Apple music. It says you have an album out and it's a shorter album, but I don't know if it's actually an EP. Okay. That's what I thought. I was like, I think Apple music's just wrong. Yeah. As your second EP.

[00:17:33] And then, so I'm assuming then you're already working on your album for after that. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Of course. Just checking. Album has been in the works for like a year. Okay. Like, you know, album is, I think that making a record and like a body of work, I'm a perfectionist. Mm-hmm. So like, I want time to be able to like every song to feel right and it to feel packaged and it to feel beautiful. And we've really spent a lot of time doing that, which has been so fun.

[00:18:00] But I still don't want, I want to feed people music while we work on that. Because we have amazing songs that are so fun and I wish we could release them all. Like there's so many songs. We've written so many songs. That was going to be my follow up is because I think earlier you said that you like to just write songs. Like you've just always been writing songs. I love it. So did you approach it any differently when you're trying to, you know, fit it into an album or is it still just you're writing songs? It's just writing songs. Mm-hmm. I think that it's better that way. Mm-hmm.

[00:18:29] I think that if you start like trying too hard to like make it fit into a certain box, like everything just lands. Yeah. Which is awesome. And then you can fill in the gaps, which is also a whole other fun. Mm-hmm. But we're not there yet. We're just writing. Okay. Yeah. Because I'm like, how do you decide which ones go where then? Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's hard. They have vibes. You just know by their vibes. And so you've now have been only touring for about probably a year, year and a half? Less. Less? Less. Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah.

[00:18:56] You like the travel? I love the people. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean like traveling is really fun. I just got back from Europe and Australia, which was insane. Like I got to go on tour in Europe and Australia. Yeah. Like we all kept joking. We're like, we're touring during the war. Yeah. Yeah. Like it's literally crazy. I can't believe we had that opportunity. Yeah, it's been so fun.

[00:19:25] I love playing shows. Like playing shows is, it's so cool to see people connect in real life because for so long it's like I only saw through a screen and I only saw people comment and like seeing the faces and like the bodies of like, oh, these people like my music and they are singing it and I can hear them and they have accents. Yeah. It's so awesome. That does have to be such a cool experience to like build up that fan base and then go out and give them the opportunity to show up. It's crazy. Yeah.

[00:19:54] It's, we did our first headline show ever in London and like, they're crazy. Like people who listen to my music are crazy. Is that the one that sold out and you had to move to a bigger venue? Yes. Awesome. They're crazy. I've never been to it. They're so loud and they're crazy and they're like excited and they're like aggressive and they're, they're, and they're so pretty. Like everyone's pretty. I'm like looking out, I'm like my target audience is pretty. I love it here. Like, this is awesome. It's so fun.

[00:20:23] It felt very, I mean, it's like they're relating to my direct feelings and words, like basically my diary entries. So obviously I'm going to like them. Yeah. Like we have so much in common. Yeah. I feel like it's almost an unfair to have like your first headline show in Europe because I feel like American crowds are probably not as energetic. I'm sure they're still great and beautiful and everything, but I've heard that the Australian and European crowds are like so much more fun. Right. Well, okay.

[00:20:51] I did like a kind, I was the like last performer on a stage at a festival. So it was kind of like a headline thing. Cause like everyone was there in Florida. They were crazy. Crazy too. They were awesome. Yeah. I think that I attract crazy. Yeah. Makes sense. I love crazy people. I'm a crazy person. It was so good. I love that. There's a lot of female artists who like lean into their crazy where a lot for a long time. I felt like it was like, no, you had to be like, you know, picture perfect.

[00:21:18] And now like the girls who are crazy can embrace their crazy and actually use it to their advantage. Exactly. It's so healthy. I think so. Have you made a lot of artists friends that kind of do the same thing? Oh yeah. I, I've made the best friends in town. Like Nashville has been so good to me. I have found the best community, the best of friends. I'm really close with the Castillo girls. Those are like my sisters. Okay. Like, I'm like, if any of y'all are ever sick, I could step in. Yeah. True. I could.

[00:21:48] And it's like, you know, you have friends who are like, you see, you like just end up seeing so much at festivals. And then you have friends who are like, I'm crying and I need to call somebody. And like, those girls are like who I call. Like, it's awesome that we, you find your people really easily. And one of your friends also turned your bandmate. Is that correct? Grayson? Oh my gosh. Yes. Yes. Grayson's wonderful.

[00:22:12] So for people who don't know, Grayson Russell was the little ginger kid in Talladega Nights and now he turned country artist. And now. And Dire of Wimpy Kid. Yes. He was Fregly too. Yes, yes, yes. Which is crazy. So now he's also part of your band. Yeah, he's my guitarist. Like, how was that? We met at the bar. We met at Losers. No way. Yeah. We met at the bar. We met at Losers. Did you recognize him as the person from Dire of Wimpy Kid? Well, I think we followed each other on Instagram. Okay. And then we like just met officially.

[00:22:42] And then we ended up like needing a guitarist. And I was like, I get really bad FOMO whenever I leave town. This was like my first tour. And I was like, I'm getting FOMO. And I was like, wait, what if I just bring my friends? Yeah. I just hire my friends. And then they can't hang out without me if I bring them. Yeah. So it was selfish. No. Grayson's awesome. And it's so fun. The crowds eat it up. I'm sure. Oh my goodness. They eat it up. Cause it's so cool.

[00:23:11] It's probably the perfect demographic too. It's country music Talladega Nights. Yeah. Yeah. So he's wonderful. And he's talented from videos that I've seen. I haven't ever been able to see him live. But I mean, it seems like he's just killer. Oh yeah. He kills it. Yeah. He's a rock star. And for touring the rest of the year, I know you're playing a lot of festivals, including Stagecoach and Lollapalooza. Yeah. I'm sure those are going to be crazy. What else are you like super excited and looking forward to? All of the festivals. We have so many festivals throughout the US this year.

[00:23:40] It's going to be so fun. And festivals are like so fun cause you just like go in and you like play and then you get to hang out with your friends. Cause it's like the lineups. Oh, I'm playing a festival that Jesse Murph is playing and I'm so excited to hear Blue Strips. Oh yeah. Blue Strips is my favorite song. I'm obsessed with it. Yeah. I want her to do the featuring sexy red version. I don't know who I need to talk to about that.

[00:24:04] I feel like country music goes back and forth of like leaning into like the crossover between country music and other things and then comes back and forth. What's like your opinion on it? I love music. All kinds of music. I think, I mean, I listen to everything. Mm-hmm. And so it's like, okay, what is, who cares? Yeah. I like it. I listen to it. I like lots of country music. I like lots of country crossover music. I like lots of pop music. I don't like lots of country music.

[00:24:31] I don't like lots of country crossover music and I don't like lots of pop music. So it's like, I like things. I like what I like. Yeah. It just, it doesn't like, I'm like, I love every country song ever written. Yeah. Like, you know, like, I love every pop song. Yeah. It's just whatever, everybody has different tastes. Mm-hmm. Who would you say are some of those, like those big country artists for you that you do actually love a lot of what they do? Toby Keith. Toby Keith. I'm obsessed with Toby Keith. Hell yes. I mean, it's so funny. Bring back funny country music.

[00:25:01] Mm-hmm. Yes. There is a lack. Brad Paisley was another one that leaned into it for so long. I love Brad Paisley. Yeah. Love Brad Paisley. And I'm like, why do I know every word to this? Because when this came out, I was like 10. Yeah. But it's like the most random funny songs. Mm-hmm. Huge fan. Like, it's just such good stuff. It's quality. Mm-hmm. And Kasey, obviously. Duh. Duh. Duh. I'm sure that you're eventually going to have some features on music who is like a dream person that you would love to collaborate. Ooh.

[00:25:31] If you can't say Kasey Musgraves, because I feel like that's an easy answer now. A dream feature. That's a great question. I don't know. Like, who would go along with your voice and like your sound very well? And my vibe. Yeah. There's so many people that I would be so happy to feature with because I just love collaboration. Yeah. So it's like, what would be my favorite? I don't even know what my favorite would be. There's so many people that I would be so happy with.

[00:25:59] I mean, like, my like, if I got to pick out of like, you have to do this with me. Like Olivia Rodrigo. Okay. I would force her. Yes, yes, yes. Like, I'm a mega fan. Okay. So that would be, or even just like to write with her. That would be really cool. Yeah. What is like that writing experience? Like you said, you've been writing a lot with, you know, a lot of really cool people. What's that experience like in a writing room? Right. Because I think we've talked about this a couple of times with artists in here, but it's hard

[00:26:27] for people to visualize what that's actually like or where it's at or how it comes to be. Yeah. It's not always, you know, scheduled and planned. Yep. Well, I write a lot alone. I write a lot with people. I write a lot. It's loud. Like it's loud up there. I think that every artist is different. Like some people are writers first. Some people are performers first. Some people are, for me, I have to write or I'm will not survive. Like I'll go crazy. I got to get it out somehow.

[00:26:57] So I write so much. I went through a breakup at one point and I wrote 92 songs in three days. Oh my goodness. Wow. That's crazy. That's, I need to go to therapy. I, well, I was assuming you already did with my dude. That is therapy. I've started. That is your therapy. It's on the schedule. Right after this. I... 92 songs is like, that's incredible though too. Something's wrong with me. Well... That's crazy. But like, there's no way all those can come out.

[00:27:26] You know, it's like, it's like, that's impossible. And like, not 92 good songs. Yeah. That's fair. Not good 92 good songs. Like maybe one good song came out of that. I don't know. But I think that moving to Nashville every time, before I moved here, it was just writing by myself. So moving here and like starting to work with people, it really works for me. Cause I love a group project. Okay. In high school, give me a group project. Are you the leader? Um, I don't know.

[00:27:56] No. I kind of would just do whatever somebody didn't want to do. Okay. Like, you know, like everyone picks their thing and I'm like, okay, I'll do another. Okay. Okay. I'm like the personality hire. Like, you know, I like, I like to have fun and like chit chat and I'll do whatever work Those are the best people though. That's a good role in a group project. Yeah. It is. Every group project I was ever in was just like two people. It was a group of four people, two people didn't do anything. Right. So it's nice to have someone. Unless they were like boys. Anyways, if it was me and three boys, it's like, I'm the boss here. Like, or else we're getting it after. Like, I'll delegate. I can delegate when needed.

[00:28:26] So what is your dating life currently like? Because I mean, it's also great song inspiration, but also now coming into this new fame in a sense. What's it like? Listen, it's just the same. Nothing's changed. Still hard? Um, I wouldn't say hard. Okay. Uh, maybe hard. I think that I'm so busy. Yeah.

[00:28:56] That's like the biggest difference. I'm not here as much. I'm like gone so much, but also it like takes a lot for me to like, want to date somebody. Like, it's, it's a process. It's a lengthy process. I love a crush. Are you pretty open, especially like on TikTok about like dating? Because I saw that you were going through the Instagram and you were like, I have this, this, this, this, and then a date. Yeah. I'm like, I'm open about it. I mean, I'm not name dropping usually.

[00:29:26] I have been known to, but I try to calm that side of me down. Okay. Therapy. Well, it's fun. It's fun for the fans. I love to let them know. I love to let them know. And then it's probably best, you know, for whatever you want to say to come out through songwriting. Well, yeah, you can, it's not discreet. Like if I, if anyone, whenever I do have a relationship that's like open to the public, I just am scared. Cause I'm so open with my songs. It's like, they're going to know everything.

[00:29:56] That's true. But I'm also not scared. I love that. Like, I love it. I'm like, I love, I grew up on Taylor Swift. Yeah. And by the time they get there, they'll know. They'll know. They'll know. Yeah. They know what they're signing up for. You mentioned Instagram. I also looked at your Instagram and the thing that stuck out to me is that you had a picture with dog, the bounty hunter. I think you said, I think you said uncle dog, but he, is there an actual relation? No. Okay. He was at my house for Easter. No way. Like yesterday.

[00:30:26] What's the story behind that? Yeah. We invited him to Easter. How'd you know? How do you know? He like preached at my church. No way. Yeah. Yeah. That's pretty cool. Maybe he came over for Easter. I feel like. And I was like, we have to make a TikTok. That's crazy. And he was like, he was like, you let those boys that you're writing songs about that your uncle dog will come get them. And I'm like, I will. I a hundred percent will. So that's where uncle dog came from? That's where uncle dog came from. He kind of named himself uncle dog. Oh, he, he proclaimed it. Okay. That's interesting. It was self-proclaimed.

[00:30:56] And I accept that. You have to slide that into a song somewhere now. My uncle dog. Uncle dog. And what church, what church would that have been? Like where were you? In Louisville, Kentucky. Okay. Gotcha. He's also from Kentucky. So yeah. I'm from the far west. Oh really? I'm from the far west part. So like Paducah. Yeah, I know where Paducah is. I actually went to a church conference. My parents grew up in Louisville. So I've been in Louisville a lot. Where did they go to high school? They moved before they got to high school. The thing about Louisville, no one ever asks where you went to college. It's like, where'd you go to high school?

[00:31:26] Okay. That's like the question because no one leaves Louisville. That's crazy. No one leaves. It's a cool city. It's the best. I think that it's one of those underrated cities. Like you know, Nashville gets a lot of attention and then I hate that Lexington gets more attention than Louisville sometimes. My brother's at UK right now. Okay. Is that tough for you? Do you have any affiliation with Louisville? I mean, I love both. Okay. Yeah. My best friend's dad coached college soccer at Louisville and we'd go to every game and

[00:31:55] like we cried when they lost. We like, we were, we cared because we knew all the guys. Like if we didn't know them, we had a crush on them and we were in love with them and we were like, they're hurting. I'm an empath. And then my brother went to UK. Some of my cousins went to UK. All my best friends went to UK. And I'm not really like a big, not to shock you guys, not a huge sports girl. So I just kind of like, if I want to wear red, I wear a Louisville. If I want to wear blue, I wear a U.

[00:32:25] Which is kind of sacrilegious maybe a little bit. How often do you get asked about the Kentucky Derby? Because I grew up, you know, oh, I'm from Kentucky. And people were just like, oh, have you been to the Derby? Like, no, I have not. You haven't? I haven't, no. Because like I said, I was on the far side. You've been. Oh my goodness. The Derby is the best day of the year. Really? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've invited like at least 30 people to come to Derby with me. I'm like, you could come stay at my house.

[00:32:55] And it's like, wait, Elizabeth, you don't have room. Like, you can't stop it. Like, y'all should come. Yes. I love, I love the Derby so much. Nashville's version is like steeplechase and I don't really even know the difference or like... I haven't been to that. Okay. So I can't compare and contrast for you. Okay. I'm sorry. I'll try. I'll go this year. Yes. What is so cool about the Derby though? Is it, for you, is it like the dressing up? You dress up and watch horses run and gamble. Okay.

[00:33:24] I love to gamble. And juleps too. I like the gambling on like a dollar. And I'm like, I mean, it hooks me in. Yeah. I love, I love the casino. Well, like in college, when you're 18, you can't go to the bar, but you can go to the casino and there's one on every corner. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, there is a church and a casino on every corner. And so we did, we went to church and we went to the casino. Okay. That's fun. And I love playing blackjack. I, I'm so excited for the NFR this year just cause I get to go to Vegas. Have you been?

[00:33:54] No. Oh, it's fun. Yeah. It's a lot. I've been to Vegas. Okay. Okay. But not NFR. We go, we went to Vegas every year for Thanksgiving. Oh my gosh. We're white trash. That's what that's called. That's a great, no, it's a great place to let loose some Thanksgiving. Yeah. To celebrate. I'm thankful. I am thankful. Yeah. So we love, we love Vegas. That's fun. I have a couple of just kind of random questions. What is the highlight of your career so far?

[00:34:24] Wow. That's a good question. I think the highlight of my career is my Opry debut. Okay. That's fair. That meant a lot to me. I actually play the Opry tomorrow for the fourth time, which is really cool. I can't even believe that. Like I'm just as excited. Um, what's the most surprising part of playing it to you? I don't get more nervous than anything else. I'm like pretty stable, but it just like, it's a different feeling.

[00:34:52] It's like a, also my Opry debut, all of my family came to town. All of my friends were there. Like every, my whole team was there. And I don't think there'll be that many of my loved ones in one place until I get married. Like I can't think of any other event that everyone would fly out for just, and they'll come to other shows, but not all at the same time. Mm-hmm . Like why would they all come to, like a random, you know? So it was really cool.

[00:35:18] It was everyone that has supported me and it was wonderful. It was magic. So that's probably my career highlight so far. I love the Opry. I've got a little bit of a deeper question. Ooh, okay. Um, maybe not too deep, but I'm just wondering of all the places that you've ever lived, which place feels the most at home to you? Mm-hmm . I think right now Nashville is my home. Mm-hmm . Um, I love it here. I have the best friends in the world. I have, like outside of music, I have amazing friends.

[00:35:48] Like my lawyers, they're my best friends in the world. They're so smart. They're scary. They're great. It's good to know lawyers too. Yeah, it is. Yeah. And then in music, I have amazing friends in the music industry. I have amazing artist friends. Like I feel really at home whenever I do come back here, but like my family's in Kentucky. And so if I'm going home for Christmas, I'm going to Kentucky. Yeah. It's just a drive. So that's, that's the nice part. Sounds so bad. Yeah. Nothing. I'm jealous. I love Louisville. Yeah. I'm jealous.

[00:36:18] All my family's back in California. So I'm like, I gotta hop on a plane. I have to hop on a plane. Yeah. I've never been to Bourbon and Beyond usually. I've never been. Really? Isn't that like horrible? I used to go- We went to Railbird. Yeah. Okay. That's what we'd always go to. Yeah. I used to go to Forecastle too, but they don't have any. Oh my goodness. I am so upset. Cause like that would have been my dream to play Forecastle. It was a great- That was the thing in high school. It was a great festival, but it was just always so hot. It was so hot. And it was like all these high schoolers and like thongs.

[00:36:48] It's like, wait, what's going on? Like- And glitter. Forecastle is crazy. Random, but I just heard that Houston Rodeo, they enforced a dress code because basically that was happening. I saw that. All those TikTok videos. I saw that. That's probably healthy. Yeah. I haven't really looked into it to develop a full-fledged opinion, but I would say that's probably healthy. Yeah. It's a family event. Right? Yeah. Next on the list is, do you like trash TV? I love trash. Well, I don't think it's trash.

[00:37:17] It's reality TV. It's amazing TV. It's amazing. Yeah. I love the Kardashians. Really? Bad. Would that be your go-to? Yes. Okay. I love the Kardashians. I love the, like for like reality TV, I love the Kardashians. Are you sucked into like the summer house drama right now? I don't even know a single thing. Oh, really? Somehow I got sucked into that. I've never watched a single episode. Is this what Dave Portnoy tweeted about? Yes. I love Dave Portnoy. I do too. I just like people that start drama. And he's so good at it. It's so, oh, he's such a good person to do it.

[00:37:46] But it's like, they don't care either. Yes. Like there's nothing you could say or do that's gonna like really affect Dave Portnoy. I don't know anything about the summer house, unfortunately. Okay. I would just assume that would be like right up your alley if you like reality TV. I just love the Kardashians. That's so funny. I'm obsessed with them. So then are you also like by association obsessed with Timothee Chalamet? No. I'm obsessed with Kylie Jenner. Okay. I mean, Timothy seems wonderful. His movies are like not my demographic. Cool. Okay. Ping Pong? Cool. Did they not break up? No.

[00:38:15] I don't think so. No way. I would know. I thought they were posting pictures or something. You know, I need to just step out of this. They posted pictures separately on vacation. Okay. But they're together. Yeah. I like them together. Yeah. But like I have no, my heart doesn't like beat for him. My heart beats for Kylie Jenner. Fair. What is your type then? Of man? Yeah. If Timothee Chalamet is not it. It is a range and a spectrum. It is like, it is a range and a spectrum. No two are alike. Okay.

[00:38:45] They all look tall, short. I've dated guys shorter than me. I've dated guys a whole lot taller than me. I've dated skinny guys. I've dated buff guys. I've dated, it's just the heart wants what it wants. Are the personalities consistent? Um, they're all a little bit evil. Just a little, like they have a little twinge. Just a little twinge of evil in them. And some more than others. Okay. I wouldn't say they're all pure evil, but they just have a little dusting.

[00:39:14] I need you to line them up so I can actually compare. I'll show you. I'll do a PowerPoint. Okay. Have you done one of those PowerPoint nights? 100%. Okay. Yeah. What was your topic? I think exactly what we're discussing. No way. Yeah. It's like trying to pinpoint Elizabeth's type. Okay. One of my guy friends, this is really mean and I don't agree with what he said in this statement, but I do think it was funny so I'll say it. Um, we were like at the bar the other night and one of my guy friends was like, how do you describe Elizabeth's type?

[00:39:44] And my other guy friend was like, oh, I got this. When Elizabeth walks in with a guy that she's dating, it looks like he's cashing in his face. I'm going to make a wish. Which is a crazy thing to say. A crazy thing to say. And I don't think, I think I did cute boys. Yeah. To me, they're very cute. I don't know what other people think, but I think they're super cute. That's all that matters. It's all that matters. Yeah. They're super cute boys. That's one of the funniest descriptions I think I've ever heard. Yeah. That's awesome. Make a wish. Yeah. Okay.

[00:40:14] But I disagree. Okay. They're super hot. Every single day I date is super hot. Good to know. Last one for me is what else are you like obsessed with, hyper fixated besides country music and the Kardashians? Oh, there's so much. What have I been recently? I'm like really trying to lock in because there's so much.

[00:40:40] Well, just today I'm like on TikTok shop trying to buy this like bedazzling thing. Yes. Have you seen this? Yes. Everyone bedazzles now. They all bedazzle. And I want to like start bedazzling like my capos and like all my like things. But like, here's the issue. I'll order this bedazzling set. I'll get halfway through my first project and that'll be where it ends. Never touch where it ends. I'm also reading Harry Potter. Okay. For the first time. Gotcha. Have you seen the movies? No. Okay. And I don't know how it ends. Okay.

[00:41:10] So no one tells me. I won't say anything. That's, but that's a dangerous thing. I know. Reading Harry Potter and hoping that no one spoils it. I mean, I've lasted 23 years. That's true. Well, I wasn't allowed to read it when I was younger because I came up like pastor family saying. Wizards and evil and demons. Wizards and evil and demons. Yeah. And I, my friends, actually the Castello girls were like, you have to read the books. They're so good. And I was like, okay, I have to ask my dad. And they're like, Elizabeth, you are 23. And like, it is not a sin to read Harry Potter.

[00:41:37] And I was like, I know it's not a sin to read Harry Potter, but it's a sin to disobey my dad. So I still have to ask him. So I asked him and he said it was okay. So now I'm reading it for the first time. I'm on like book four. Book four. Yes. That's funny. Cause I had the similar experience. I've never seen any of them. I don't, will not go back and read them now. But you should, it's fun. I'm like unlocking something in me. My attention span is. Witchcraft. Yeah. Yeah. My attention span is this short. That's okay. So I'm like, I can't get through the big books right now. Right.

[00:42:06] But yeah, I still haven't seen any of them. I don't know how they end either. So I won't be spoiled enough for you. Is your plan to go books, movies, and then TV show that they're making? Is there a TV show? It's coming. Yeah. Wow. I didn't even know. Great timing. It's going to be like each season is its own, is a book, covers a book. So the first season will start like in December of this year on HBO. Dang. So all the characters and all that stuff. I get kind of bored with the same story. Mm-hmm. Like I'm not the type that can watch a movie 10 times. Yeah. I can watch a movie one time. Yeah.

[00:42:35] And like, even like reading the book and then watching the movie, I'm like, I know what's going to happen. Right. Yeah. Yeah. So I don't know if I'm going to lock in for the TV show, but maybe if like the actors are really hot. Wait, they're kids? No. They're kids. No. They're young. When they grow up. I'm not watching the show. There's adults and teachers and whatnot that might be- I'm not watching it. Gotcha. Yeah. That's funny. Well, to you quickly pivot, back to music. I know you said you can't share a lot about what's coming, but what could you tell your

[00:43:02] fans to expect maybe with the music that's going to come? More music. A lot of music. Mm-hmm. I'm writing so much. And the reason we're doing an EP before album is just because we have music and we want to put it out there and we want people to be able to listen and relate and- Happy, sad, all of emotions? All of the above. Okay. There's a spectrum. Okay. Happy, sad, angry. Oh, okay. Yeah. I feel like a lot of my music is mean. Like, it's like, that's hateful. Well, like-

[00:43:32] Do you think you're like a mean person? I don't think so. Well, like Shelby said earlier, there's a lot of sarcasm. So maybe I could see like it's an angry as far as like it's a little bit backhanded sometimes. It's a little backhanded sometimes. I think I can be sarcastic, definitely. Mm-hmm. But I don't think I'm a mean person. I think I'm really nice. Yeah. Based on your music, I expected you to come in here and I'm always like scared when I'm talking to sarcastic people because like something will go over my head. I'm like, are they joking? Are they not? I don't know. I don't know. I won't do that to you. But no, you're good.

[00:44:02] Okay, good. You've been great. Anything else you want fans to know about you that you might not have shared already through interviews, podcasts, anything? I feel like I'm really open. That's true. I've shared a lot on the internet. I'm scared. The other week, I was at a show and it was like this show put on by the people that interviewed me afterwards. And they were like, okay, we're going to do a would you rather in front of the crowd.

[00:44:29] And they're like, would you rather stop playing I got a new one at any of your shows? And I was like, okay, so no one's coming. So not that one. Or name your last three guys you wrote a song about. And I named them first name last name like boom, boom, boom. Oh, my God. And I was like, wait, why did I do that? And then I like see Instagram reels like the next day and I'm like, wait, why did I do that? Like everyone knows. Like why would I do that? But it's kind of fun. And then like they're like texting me. They're like, why am I getting DMS?

[00:44:58] I'm like, I don't know. Well, that is so weird. Wasn't me. They're psycho. They're crazy. They're finding you. Oh, my gosh. I share too much. There's nothing more to give. I have nothing left to give. That's a good thing. Yeah, that's a good thing. Well, I think that's a perfect note to end it on then. Well, good. Thank you so much for being here. Thank y'all. Yeah. Awesome. Everyone go check out her music. Stay tuned for her EP and go see a show. That's right. Thanks so much. Thanks y'all.