Singer-songwriter and producer Xoë Miles recently released her new single “Someone’s Somebody.” Creating a contrast between lyrics and beat, the track delves into one-sided feelings and the practice of overthinking with an energetic, 2010s inspired sound. Beyond the music, Miles is committed to volunteering her time to organizations like Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation, Snowdrop Foundation, Tunes for Tots, and Hollister's Girls Rock Camp. To learn more about Xoë Miles and her new music, read on.

Where are you based?
I’m originally from Montgomery, Texas, but I’m now based in Nashville, Tennessee, and have been starting to travel to LA more recently!

What inspired you to start making music?
I grew up surrounded by music, and I was always singing around the house. My parents played everything from pop to rock to country. As a kid, I used to put on “concerts” for my family, and I loved performing in school plays. When I went to a songwriting camp at 12, I got to write, record, and perform my own song all within one week, and that’s when I knew without a doubt that music was what I wanted to do with my life!

Congratulations on your new single, “Someone’s Somebody”! What’s the story behind the song?
Thank you so much! “Someone’s Somebody” came from a very vulnerable place. I was dealing with feelings of being unwanted and overthinking a one sided relationship. I kept blaming myself and trying to change who I was just to feel wanted. Writing the song helped me process those emotions and turn something painful into something empowering.

The lyrics for “Someone’s Somebody” are very honest and hard-hitting, yet the production contrasts them with a very energetic beat. Why did you decide to contrast the two?
I love contrasting emotional lyrics with upbeat production because it mirrors real life! So many of us smile or look like we are having fun while we are hurting inside. I feel like wrapping the raw honesty of the lyrics with a bright alt pop sound is the perfect combo.

Where do you look to for inspiration when making music?
Life inspires me! My feelings, my experiences, and the stories people share with me all go straight into my music. I also pull inspiration from the artists I grew up listening to, and from the incredible creatives I get to collaborate with in Nashville. Being surrounded by so much talent keeps me inspired!

You’re also very accomplished in production, self-producing all of your own original music. Why did you decide to self-produce?
When I was 14, I started going into the studio with my producer Eddie Ferguson of WalkOne Productions. When things shut down in 2020 because of covid, I felt that was the perfect time for me to start learning to produce my own music, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I love having full creative control! Producing my own music lets me shape every detail exactly how I imagine it. I learned everything myself and built my own home studio (with some help from my brother, who was also doing music at the time). Having my own studio allows me to create whenever inspiration hits. It is so freeing, and it has made me a stronger artist and storyteller!

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I hope they feel more understood and less alone! I put a lot of my emotions into my songs, and I always hope someone out there can hear them and think “wow, that is exactly how I feel!” If my music can make someone feel seen or empowered, then that means everything to me.

You’ve partnered with organizations supporting individuals with cancer, including Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation, Snowdrop Foundation, American Cancer Society. What are some of the ways you’ve been able to support these organizations? How did you get involved with them?
These causes are incredibly personal to me. I lost a close friend to cancer, and my younger cousin has survived cancer twice. Being involved with organizations like Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation, Snowdrop Foundation, and the American Cancer Society felt very meaningful. I have taken part in benefit concerts, fundraisers, and awareness events to help support families going through one of the hardest battles imaginable. I feel very grateful to be able to use my voice and the platform that I have to help in any way I can.

You also co-wrote a song for your cousin titled “Stayed Strong,” who was diagnosed with cancer and gave all of the proceeds made from the song to your cousin to help with medical treatment costs. Besides helping cover medical costs, what did you hope to inspire with the song? How does music help you connect with others?
“Stayed Strong” was my debut single under my old artist name Emily Cole. I wanted the people and families who go through this to have a song to listen to when they felt alone. I wanted my cousin to feel supported and loved, and I wanted anyone listening to feel hope and strength, even during the darkest moments. Music helps connect people by expressing emotions that are hard to put into words. Sharing that song was my way of telling his story.

You’ve partnered with several other organizations, including Hurricane Harvey Relief, DoSomething.org, Tunes for Tots, and Hollister's Girls Rock Camp. How did you get involved with these organizations and what are some of the things you’ve been able to do with them?
I have always believed in giving back, and using whatever platform I have to spread positivity. I got involved with these organizations through local events and performance opportunities. Every experience has been so rewarding and has taught me so much about the importance of coming together!

Advocating for children on the spectrum is another big passion of yours. Why is it so important to you? What do you hope to inspire in and educate others about?
I was diagnosed with autism at 21. It completely changed the way I understood myself, and so many things that I had been questioning about myself just made sense. I realized how many misconceptions exist about autism, and how different it can look from person to person. Advocacy is important to me because I want to inspire acceptance and understanding.

Why is giving back so important to you?
Giving back allows me to turn my experiences into something positive. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I love, so I want to use that to help others whenever I can. It fills my heart and reminds me why I make music in the first place!

What advice do you have for young girls on the spectrum who want to pursue music?
Go for it with all your heart! Your uniqueness is your superpower. Do not let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Your voice matters, your ideas matter, and your story matters. Keep practicing, keep creating, and keep believing in yourself! Also, make sure to really be in tune with yourself. We all have different hurdles to jump and curveballs to dodge. If you are one who gets overstimulated (something I deal with in a big way), be sure and take care of yourself and allow yourself time to rest and recharge.

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
Yes! I am working on a lot of new music, and I am so excited to share it! I am producing, writing, and recording a whole new project, and there are some amazing collaborations in the works too. Stay tuned because there is so much coming!

It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
I stay positive by focusing on what I love, and surrounding myself with supportive and positive people. Creating keeps me grounded and helps me stay connected to myself. I remind myself often that progress is not always pretty, but every step forward counts.

What is your motto in life?
Surround yourself with people who challenge you, push you, and help you grow! Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, and I try to live by that every day. You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable!

To learn more about Xoë Miles, please check out the links below:
xoemiles.com
Instagram: @xoemiles
TikTok: @xoemiles
St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
The Snowdrop Foundation
Texas Children’s People
Ronald McDonald House

Xoë Miles's Vulnerable Storytelling