311 311's birth is viewed as their first show together at
Sokol Auditorium on June 10, 1990. At that time, they were entirely independent and Hexum served as the band's manager and distributor. He took out a student loan and used the money to record in a local, professional studio and 311 released three independent albums,
Dammit!,
Unity, and
Hydroponic on Hexum's own independent label
What Have You Records. In 1992, the band felt they'd done all they could on the local scene and moved out to Los Angeles to pursue a record deal. Since Hexum had been proactive on the business end, demo tapes had been sent to many record labels. One made its way to producer
Eddy Offord, who took interest in working with the band. All of this culminated in 311 signing a record deal with
Capricorn Records. In 1993, 311 released their first major label album, titled
Music. 311 has released 14 major label records without a change in the band's line-up. They have performed over 2,000 shows in 29 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Hits include "Down", "Love Song", "Amber", "All Mixed Up", "You Wouldn't Believe", "Creatures (For a While)", and many more.
Solo music ventures In 2013, Hexum surprised many by announcing a side project under the name Nick Hexum Quintet, releasing an LP titled
My Shadow Pages. This was a stylistic departure from 311, leaning into jam and jazz. He toured with the Quintet in 2013 and 2014. In 2025, Hexum again announced another venture, this time under his own name. He announced that he would release an EP every other month during 2025. He holds listening parties the night before release dates on various socials such as Twitch, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
Waxing Nostalgic was released February 26, 2025, and lent itself to Americana, acoustic singer-songwriter stylings. Hexum worked with musicians, such as Kenny Feinstein from
Water Tower (band), Jared Masters, Colin Blanton, Brasko; as well as family in his sister Angie and daughter Echo. It was mixed by Bob Horn and Hexum himself. Tracklist included Cosmic Connection, 1978, Work of Fiction, Lonely Existence.
Full Memories was released April 23, 2025. The music carried a similar style to Waxing Nostalgic. He worked with others on these tracks including similar names in Kenny Feinstein and Thomas Drinkard from
Water Tower (band), his sister Angie Hexum, Colin Blanton, Andres Rebellon from the Nick Hexum Quintet; as well as new names in Alan Hampton,
Ben Kweller, John Moran, Joel Martin and
Rami Jaffee. This EP has five songs; Just To See You Smile, Please Explain, Careless, Where I Belong, California (
Chappell Roan cover).
Waning Time was released August 1, 2025. While some collaborators on this project remain constant, such as Kenny Feinstein and Thomas Drinkard from
Water Tower (band), Colin Blanton and Brasko, others are new. Hexum collaborated with Brian Simpson, Drew Vandenberg, Cece Coakley, Nick Rosen. This EP has four songs; Solitude (
Billie Holiday cover), Lost Counting, I Am Open, I'd Like To Write You. Hexum announced that a vinyl edition of all three EPs, titled
Phases of Hope And Hollow. The vinyl edition has two additional songs; One Breath At A Time and Everybody's Talkin' (
Harry Nilsson cover). A deluxe vinyl edition was released in 2026, featuring 10 new tracks, including three original songs —Turn Away, All Too Real, and I'm a Part of You — as well as covers of Ripple (
Grateful Dead), Happiness (
Elliott Smith), and Swallow (
Larry McNeely), in addition to re-envisioned versions of Careless, California, and
311's Amber and Don't Dwell. Hexum also toured with
Water Tower (band) backing him in September 2025 on the
Nothing But The Truth 2025 tour and continued to tour on
Nothing But The Truth 2026 in January–February on the west coast and nationwide March - April.
Outside ventures From his own clothing line to his non-profit awareness group, Hexum has held many interests outside of music. The two worlds combined in the early 2022 when Hexum became a Chief Artist at a start-up tech company called SKP. SKP (a play on the word 'escapee') was designed to help music artists bypass the major label network and find the tools they need without sacrificing their rights. To do this, they've created a network where young artists can get the help a major label would provide, such as distribution and marketing, without the need to sign a major label contract. The upcoming artists can retain their own equity and control over their own music and direction. Hexum is also part owner of
Union Omaha, a soccer team in his hometown on Omaha, NE. ==Personal life==