Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Kaitlin Butts’ anticipated new album, What Else Can She Do, is out today. Stream/purchase 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.
Critical acclaim for What Else Can She Do…
“she ties it together really really beautifully…I love the way the record taps into these themes of resilience and grace and strength under fire”—NPR Music
“makes a strong case that she ought to be positioned somewhere between Miranda Lambert or Kacey Musgraves at country’s vanguard—an Oklahoma native with a big, malleable voice and the songwriting skills to match… such an exciting talent”—Rolling Stone
“one of the best albums to come out of Nashville so far this year…she sets herself up to be the genre’s next breakout star, sure to astound audiences with her brilliant storytelling and a voice to match”—No Depression
“a strong, unique voice that cuts right through the crowded field of singer/songwriters trying to achieve something similar. She knows how to write songs that honor the influence of the classics but sound entirely modern, and these are powerful, emotional songs”—Brooklyn Vegan
“as clear of a successful crossover from Red Dirt to Nashville as early Kacey Musgraves or Miranda Lambert”—The Boot
“combines these tough-luck fighters, her admirably big voice, and a bit of outside-the-box musicianship to give us one of the best country records of the year”—Americana Highways
“heartwrenching”—Wide Open Country
“Butts has an easy, unaffected vocal delivery…but her fixation on the messier side of heartache…and her unwavering traditionalist bent trumps any overt pop aspirations”—Magnet
“this album is sure to be one of the best of the year…a country music powerhouse with vocals equally as compelling as her songwriting is impressive”—Whiskey Riff
“one of the best country albums I’ve heard thus far this year… even despite its shorter runtime, feels surprisingly complete all around and doesn’t waste a moment”
—The Musical Divide
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 new record, Butts will continue to tour throughout the spring including a sold out show tonight at Nashville’s The Basement as well as upcoming performances at Stillwater, OK’s Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café, Stephenville, TX’s Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival, Dallas’ Texas Music Revolution 26 and Indianapolis’ Hi-Fi among others. 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 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 15—Nashville, TN—The Basement (SOLD OUT)
April 27—Stillwater, OK—Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café
April 28—Stephenville, TX—Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival
May 7—Winfield, KS—Wheat State Wine Co
May 14—Cornish, OK—Ringling Ranch Rodeo
June 4—Dallas, TX—Texas Music Revolution 26
June 24—Abilene, TX—Potosi Live
June 30—Indianapolis, IN—Hi-Fi
July 18—Council Grove, KS—Washunga Days 2022
August 19—Red River, NM—8750 Fest
