Before May of this year, the last time we heard new music from Erin Viancourt was Valentine’s Day of 2020. That single, “Cowgirl,” reinforced everything we fell in love with Viancourt for on her debut single, “Playin’ Old Records:” rock-solid vocals, atmospheric production and honest penmanship that solidified her as one of the top rising artists in the genre.
And while three years may have passed before we heard from her again, Viancourt was hard at work behind the scenes writing, recording, and in early May, releasing, her return single, “Should’ve Known Better,” proving once again that good things are worth the wait.
Viancourt’s newest effort serves as the lead single to her forthcoming album, Won’t Die This Way, releasing on Cody Jinks’ Late August Records. Set for release on July 21, the album is sure to quench the thirst of Viancourt’s loyal fanbase, and further cement her as one of the brightest stars on the come-up.
We caught up with Viancourt to talk about “Should’ve Known Better,” what listeners can expect from Won’t Die This Way, teaming up with Cody Jinks and more!
Pro Country: You were the first signing to Cody Jinks’ Late August Records. Can you talk to us about how you came on to Cody’s radar and what it means to both have someone of his caliber in your corner and for him to have the level of belief to make you the label’s flagship artist?
Erin Viancourt: I was fortunate enough to have gotten to open for Alex Williams back in 2019 at 3rd and Lindsley. True Grit was managing Alex at the time, and the wonderful promoters at 3rd and Lindsley put me in True Grit’s ear to open the show. Before ya know it, I was welcomed into the family later that year. In the fall of 2021, after the world opened back up, I was asked to open for Cody and Travis Tritt, and now here I am on the “Change the Game” tour.
It is an incredible honor to have the support of Cody to make this record. To be the first signed artist to Late August Records is an opportunity I don’t take lightly. What leaves me the most grateful besides having the fierce support to create and share my music is how much Cody has taken the time to help a young gun like me understand how to protect my own music and play the long game in what can be a very confusing world, especially once contracts get involved. Cody and his entire band, team and crew are some of the kindest, badass and most real people one could surround themselves with, and I am perpetually proud to be the first artist of Late August Records.
PC: Prior to the release of your newest single, “Should’ve Known Better,” it had been three years since you released your last single, “Cowgirl.” After having that time in between releases, how much were you looking forward to having new music to present again?
EV: I can’t sit still. I’m so excited to share what we put together, especially to folks like you, Justin, that have been waiting along with me for some time now. Things happen at certain times for certain reasons, and although I wish I could have released more music in the last four years, I am very grateful that these songs weren’t rushed to be recorded and released. Every single one landed right where they were supposed to, and I can’t wait to set ‘em free.
PC: Why did you and your team feel that “Should’ve Known Better” was the right song to return with and the right song to serve as the lead single to your forthcoming debut album, Won’t Die This Way?
EV: Choosing a debut song from the record was a tough choice, but with the team around me working passionately to deliver this album exactly as I hear and see it, we put our heads together to decide which song we were gonna kick the saloon doors out with, and “Should’ve Known Better” won. I’m glad it did, it’s been really fun to release.
PC: “Should’ve Known Better” has quickly become your most-streamed single on Spotify. What did it mean to see the song being received so well out of the gate, especially after over three years since “Cowgirl” was released?
EV: I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I released “Playin’ Old Records” and “Cowgirl” on my own, and those were slow climbers, but still, 5,000 streams was exciting to me, even all these years later. But obviously, I hoped that this release would reach to further masses, but I wasn’t expecting it to jump as quickly as it did. I am very happy people are listening to it and loving it. I’ve received many kind messages from folks letting me know how much it has helped them get through whatever situation they are going through, and that’s I think the biggest win you could hope for.
PC: You recently shared on social media that “Should’ve Known Better” has landed on several curated playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music. How encouraging was it to see the song land on those playlists so quickly and get that kind of push out of the gate?
EV: I mean, ground breaking. It feels like being a seasoned rookie amped up on the sidelines ready to play, and the coach says, “Viancourt! Boots on, you’re goin’ in.”
PC: Won’t Die This Way is slated for release on July 21. What information, if any, can you give about the album? What can listeners expect to hear?
EV: Ya know, I had to stop listening to it for a minute. I just re-listened the other evening, and I got to hear it through feeling like the audience. It had my shoulders movin’ in all the right places. You’re gonna hear some easy listening, some boot scootin’, a little “come to Jesus meetin’,” hard truths, and hopefully, anthems of strength and bravery to live your life to the fullest. These are ten years of songs, and even ones from 2014, I left myself so many Easter eggs that I forgot about or took on a whole new fortune. I am excited to hear what people pick up on and what they connect with in their world.
PC: You’ve been touring arenas and big stages around the country opening for Cody Jinks. What has it been like for you to be on stage in front of so many people so consistently, and how has that helped you grow as a performer?
EV: Man, it is honestly an interesting spotlight to earn your chops in; nerve racking, exciting, all the good and fun kinds of scary. It is incredible to have the opportunity to consistently get to play these types of venues, because it’s really given us the chance to find our groove, as well as the chance to get to share what we’re doing with such a big audience that is a listening, loving, badass audience. I count myself very lucky to get to play for them. Then getting to watch a Cody Jinks show every night, which is a hell of a show, every. damn. time. On top of getting the chance to see and connect with the other badass bands that have been on these bills: The Steel Woods, Whitey Morgan, Charles Wesley Godwin, Josh Meloy, Lukas Nelson; I mean, I am proud to be here.
PC: Along with releasing Won’t Die This Way, what do you have planned for the rest of 2023?
EV: We’re whippin’ up quite a bit. A LOT of more shows, Cody Jinks shows and other support shows. I believe we have a couple of festivals lined up as well as going back to the towns we’ve been through to play more intimate rooms. Cody has a new project on Late August Records called 1+1. Which is himself and another artist recording duets, a cover and a new song, so our installment of that will be coming out at some point in 2023. We’re just getting our engines warmed up and have lots of great things to come.
PC: Is there anything you’d like to add?
EV: Big thank you to Justin and everybody else that has been along for the ride with me all these years, as well as all the new folks I’ve gotten to meet. The support and excitement is very much appreciated. Can’t wait to share with ya’ll!
*”Should’ve Known Better” is featured on The Best of Pro Country playlist!*
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