Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Kaitlin Butts’ new song, “it won’t always be this way,” is out today—listen/share HERE.
Of the song, Butts shares, “For a long time, my mom and I were going through some hard times. She was going through a divorce, and we kept getting what I like to call ‘clothes-lined’ by life. We kept trying to be positive and we’d say ‘it won’t always be this way’ and by the time we’d get some traction again, we’d get the rug pulled out from under us again. That pattern took place for a pretty long time, but the phrase ‘it won’t always be this way’ remained. We said it so often without things changing for the better, that it became this really sad thing we would say. So I wrote this song about wanting to, but not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Taking my personal experience out of it, the song is about a mother wanting to take her daughter out of a bad situation. The depression and uncertainty that all of that comes with. The promise to her daughter that it won’t always be this way.”
“it won’t always be this way” is the second song unveiled from Butts’ anticipated new album, What Else Can She Do, which will be released April 15 (pre-order here). Produced by Oran Thornton (Angaleena Presley, Logan Brill) and recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios, What Else Can She Do tells the stories of women—those who are lost, struggling, angry and scared, but who remain resilient through it all. Across these seven new tracks, Butts positions herself as one of country’s most engaging new storytellers, putting forth songs that address the harsh realities of everyday life, while also offering hope and finding beauty amid that pain.
Ahead of the release, lead single “blood” recently debuted, of which The Boot praises, “as clear of a successful crossover from Red Dirt to Nashville as early Kacey Musgraves or Miranda Lambert,” while Whiskey Riff declares, “stunning…this new Kaitlin Butts music is about to blow some minds.” Watch a special acoustic performance video for the song HERE.
Reflecting on the album, Butts shares, “These songs are all stories of different women facing the question: what else can she do? Based on her circumstances, what choices does she have, right or wrong? I don’t think that life is all that pretty sometimes, and it comes with pain and pushing through hard times, being stagnant, going through the motions, not knowing what to do, or just being flat out angry with whatever life has put on your plate. I see myself in all of these women in these stories. I see these women in my friends and family all around me going through divorce, abuse, infidelity, financial instability, addiction, generational trauma, family issues, and life-altering tough times, but somehow are still resilient and come out on the other side okay. I hope this album makes you feel seen and comforts you in times of darkness. Know you are never alone and it won’t always be this way.”
In celebration of the record, Butts will continue to tour throughout the spring including a special album release show at Nashville’s The Basement on April 15. See below for complete itinerary. Full tour details can be found at www.kaitlinbutts.com/tour.
In addition to Butts (vocals) and Thornton (acoustic guitar), What Else Can She Do also features Fred Eltringham (drums), Joshua Grange (electric guitar), Lex Price (bass) and Justin Schiper (pedal steel) as well as harmony vocals from Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry.
What Else Can She Do is Butts’ second full-length studio album following her 2015 debut, Same Hell, Different Devil. Since her debut, Butts has gone on to release several diverse singles including 2019’s “White River” and 2021’s “Marfa Lights” and “How Lucky Am I.” Continuing to receive widespread attention, Wide Open Country proclaims, “Even with a playful innocence persona, Butts’ songwriting is brimming with effective wit and tact. With the charisma of Kacey Musgraves or an early Lee Ann Womack, Butts has that rare combination of style and substance,” while Whiskey Riff declares, “Kaitlin Butts is absolutely a name you need to know.”
Raised in Tulsa and now based in Nashville, Butts has continued to tour relentlessly across the country, building a passionate grassroots fanbase as she went. In addition to multiple headline shows, she has performed alongside artists such as Turnpike Troubadours, Flatland Cavalry and Parker McCollum.
WHAT ELSE CAN SHE DO TRACKLIST
1. it won’t always be this way
2. bored if i don’t
3. what else can she do
4. jackson
5. she’s using
6. blood
7. in the pines
KAITLIN BUTTS CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
April 2 /// San Antonio, TX /// Chaparral Music & Heritage Festival
(Official Fiesta! Event)
April 15 /// Nashville, TN /// The Basement
April 28 /// Stephenville, TX /// Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival
May 7 /// Winfield, KS /// Wheat State Wine Co
June 24 /// Abilene, TX /// Potosi Live
August 19 /// Red River, NM /// 8750 Fest
