Kaitlin Butts Has Europe Wrapped Around Her Finger

Written by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP

Kaitlin Butts talks to LiveWithLP

From Tulsa Time to European Cowgirl, Kaitlin Butts has won the hearts, attention and playlists of country fans across the globe. Off the back of an iconic performance at the Royal Albert Hall for Highways Festival, she took on a string of UK and European dates, stopping off at Glasgow’s Òran Mór. LiveWithLP caught up with Kaitlin about new music, Dua Lipa inspiration and those sinister themes in her songs... (which I love).

I have to admit, I am so excited you're back, because it actually hasn't been that long since you were last in Glasgow – in a much smaller venue.

Wait... have I been to Glasgow?

You played Paisley Town Hall for Mill Town Festival... I sound like a stalker!

I have no recollection or memory of this. Wow, oh my gosh.

Hey, don't worry, it was a much smaller venue in Paisley, and here we are at Òran Mór, which is quadruple the capacity. Which is awesome – there are people on the barricade already.

Hell yeah, that's what I love to hear. We love it!

Well, we're super glad to have you back. It's been a bit of a whirlwind trip over to Europe, from the Albert Hall to more intimate venues.

Oh, the Albert Hall was so, so fun. It was kind of mind-blowing processing that, but the different range in venues over here is crazy. I mean, a bit like my life, the range is all over the damn place.

Especially experiencing different crowd sizes. How does this compare to back home?

Oh, you guys over here are so respectful. We did a show the other night and at the end I asked if I could get a photo of the crowd, and everyone was so quiet. I asked them to chant "yeehaw" and then turned around to see 150 faces just smiling and grinning from ear to ear. No words, just having so much fun. Y'all are very excited and want to take in every moment, which is so cute.

You're also on a roll at the moment, fresh off a release with Willow Avalon, which I've got to say... I have a nightmare of an ex that I think you'd be able to help me with after hearing those lyrics. There's a violent theme in your songs and I love it?

I have some tricks. Well, when they deserve it... Carl deserved it though. He came at her with a cast iron skillet.

Hypothetically speaking, of course. And we have a new single out May 29 too!

Yes! I wrote this one with Maggie Antone and Lola Kirke!

With Hypothetically Speaking with Willow, the song is centred around Carl and the storyline behind that. With Never Really Mine, is there a story that ties in with this?

Not really. I was at a show and my husband got catcalled as we were walking from the barricade to the VIP section, and someone shouted, "God damn, he's so fine!" I laughed when my friend asked if that bothers me, and I said no – any man that can be taken was never really mine. Then I brought that idea to Lola and Maggie and the song came together.

There truly is no genre like country music for storytelling. Is there a tale or genre you're keen to play with next?

What I listen to is quite different from what comes out of me. I really like to make pop music out of my country songs, but I can't start with a pop song, so it always starts country and then flows on. In terms of influences, when I need to get in the zone it's Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa. Oh my God, she is so good and she is iconic.

Oh, a Dua Lipa and Kaitlin Butts collab would slap.

Yessss!!

This is such an exciting time for you though - releasing new music, going on tour, and you just seem to have the world at your fingertips, which is so deserved as a fan to see. Has it sunk in yet?

As you're saying this to me, I'm like, "Whoa, what?" Haha. No, but seriously, every night on these European shows it's super eye-opening. We're pretty shocked by the turnout. We haven't done headlining shows in over a year and then we come over here and do a consistent amount of shows and people are showing up more than they do over in the States. So it's super exciting thinking about what we can do next when we're seeing so many people turn up in Amsterdam, Glasgow, Dublin or wherever we are.

It's been a hectic year for you already - new music, touring... I mean, touring with Lainey Wilson! That's incredible. How is it going from arenas to these intimate European venues?

I really like the range. You never really know what the day will bring, whether it's the Royal Albert Hall or a tiny club, and the energy is always so different. You just have to play to whatever room you're in. But I do really like those intimate shows and bringing the vibe. I also like getting on those big stages and matching the energy. It makes you feel like you're Lainey Wilson or Taylor Swift.

One question I like to ask everyone I speak to: it's hard to get your name out there in the industry and promote your music. Who is someone on your radar, or maybe back home, that we should be listening to over here?

Oh, the icon that is Mills – she's opening for me on this tour and she is an Americana songwriter. Also Lola Kirke and Maggie Antone. I am also a big fan of The Castellows. If you go on my Spotify, I have artist playlists and the Women in Country playlist is absolutely packed with all my friends and peers that I really love and look up to.

Never Really Mine is out NOW