Canadian country artist Julia Vos is excited to share the official music video for her current single, “I Only Kiss Cowboys”, which is available now on YouTube. Written by Julia Vos and Troy Kemp and produced by JUNO Award winner Bart McKay, “I Only Kiss Cowboys” is a high-energy, honky-tonk anthem with a playful, boot-stompin’ groove.
The new music video was produced and directed by Chris Doi and features the Edmonton, Alberta-based artist enthusiastically line-dancing and two-stepping along as she witnesses the transformation of a “suit man” into her ideal cowboy suitor.
Congratulations on the release of your first official music video! What was it like seeing “I Only Kiss Cowboys” come to life on screen for the first time?
Thank you! Honestly it was kind of wild seeing ‘I Only Kiss Cowboys’ on screen for the first time. I had this vibe in my head when I wrote it, and then suddenly there it was, playing out with the cowboys and all the fun energy. I just sat there smiling because it felt exactly how I hoped it would. It was such a cool moment for me and the team to see it all come together.
The song has such a fun, high-energy feel. What inspired you and Troy Kemp to write “I Only Kiss Cowboys”?
Troy and I wanted to write something playful that didn’t take itself too seriously. We were chatting about my life, and he mentioned he had this title saved that he thought would make a great song. We started talking about all the classic cowboy imagery in country music and how I grew up singing at rodeos, and it just clicked. We thought it’d be fun to turn that into a cheeky, confident anthem. Really, it came from wanting to capture that fun, rowdy energy you feel when you’re out dancing or at a honky-tonk, and cowboys were the perfect fit for that story. I grew up around a lot of them, and like the song says, I guess I’m pretty fond of them.
You worked with some incredible talent on this single — from producer Bart McKay to director Chris Doi. What did each bring to the project that helped shape its final sound and visual style?
Both of them instantly got the vision when I sent them the song. Bart heard the bare bones version first and we talked about bringing in some of those classic country sounds. I’ve always loved the arrangements on his projects and knew he’d be a great fit. Chris was just as excited. He thought the song would be such a fun one to tell a story with. I sent him a couple of inspiration videos and a rough storyboard from conversations I’d had with friends, including some of the cowboys in the video, and he completely got it. We went back and forth on the storyline and then added little moments on the fly while shooting, like the suit guy licking a salt block. Chris pulled it all together in the edit to hit that perfect balance of cheeky and fun.
The video features a playful storyline of a “suit man” transforming into your ideal cowboy. How did that concept come together, and was it as fun to shoot as it looks?
That idea came out of conversations with some of my friends, and a few of them are even in the video. We thought it would be funny to take this polished ‘suit man’ and throw him into my world until he finally embraced the cowboy side. Chris loved the concept and we built on it together with a rough outline. Honestly, it was such a blast to shoot and the energy you see on screen is exactly what it felt like to be there. We just kept tossing out ridiculous little cowboy stereotypes he could take on as he transformed.
You mentioned growing up singing at rodeos across Alberta. How did those early experiences influence your connection to country music — and cowboys?
My grandpa was a farmer and cowboy, and my dad loved doing amateur rodeo. When I started singing at rodeos as a kid, even if it was just the anthem, they were always there to support me. We’ve been going to the Canadian Finals Rodeo since I was little, so getting the chance to sing there for the first time was such a proud moment for my family. Later in university I made a lot of friends in the agriculture club, and my partner works in that field too, so it’s always been a big part of my life. Writing about it just felt natural, and it gave me the chance to make a fun song that pulled in those experiences and the country sounds I grew up on.
Your social media series “Reasons I Love Cowboys” took off with 2 million views. Did that level of engagement surprise you, and how has social media helped grow your audience?
It always surprises me when something takes off like that. As artists, it often feels like we’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. After Troy and I wrote ‘I Only Kiss Cowboys,’ the idea for the series popped into my head as a subtle way to tie into the release. I sing at the Calgary Stampede almost every year, so about a year before the release I soft launched the series with a photo of me kissing a cowboy there. Then we hard launched the following year, right before Stampede came around again, and I guess it was just the right place at the right time. Social media has become such a big part of being an artist, so I’ve leaned into it as a chance to share more of my personality. Some people find me through the music, some through the funny content, and usually they stick around for both.
This single feels like a departure from more introspective songs like “Somebody” and “Jude”. How do you balance playful storytelling with deeper themes in your music?
At the end of the day, it’s about whatever story you want to share in that moment. I like to switch it up, and I felt like I hadn’t put out a fun country song since “You Can Find Me.” Sometimes that’s all you want – something lighthearted that makes people dance. Every artist goes through different eras with their music, and I think it’s important to share both sides. I still write a lot of songs like “Jude” and “Somebody”, and when the timing feels right in my life, I’ll release those too. I’ll often tease new material, and whatever fans are resonating with most usually guides what I move forward with.
You’ve already had some big career milestones — from the Calgary Stampede to Country Thunder. What moments have stood out most so far, and what’s still on your bucket list?
I honestly feel so grateful and blessed for the opportunities I’ve had so far, and I’m always a little surprised when I look back at the goals I set with my team and see what we’ve accomplished. Sometimes it feels like I’ll jinx it if I say too many big dreams out loud, but manifesting and believing seems to have worked for me so far, so I see no harm. Ultimately, I just want to share my stories with as many people as I can who connect with them in some way. Whether that comes through touring, radio play, or however the universe wants to make it happen, I’m happy to go wherever it leads.
You performed at the CCMA Country Crawl during Country Music Week in Kelowna. What can you tell us about that?
The Country Crawl was such a great experience because it gives so many smaller independent artists a chance to showcase their music at an event that brings together so many Canadian artists and industry folks. On top of making new friends and connections, it’s really nice to have the opportunity to show people what we’re actually there for, which is ultimately to share our music.
After the excitement of this release, you’re heading back to the studio. Can you give us a hint of what kind of music we can expect from you in 2026?
I’m really excited to get back in the studio! Without giving too much away, you can expect a mix of what fans already know me for along with some new twists. I’ll still have those playful, fun country songs, but I’m also exploring a few deeper, more introspective tracks. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of showing different sides of my music and sharing stories that mean a lot to me. Think The Chicks meets Lizzy McAlpine, where honky-tonks meet heartaches, life changes, and all the country stories in between.
