Katrina Cain Is Still Letting the Song Lead the Way

Katrina Cain started writing songs because, as a teenager, she thought that was simply what musicians did.

“I never knew that songwriting was often a separate skill set and job from being an artist,” she says. “I thought all artists and bands wrote all their own songs.”

Cain already knew she wanted to be a musician. So in high school, believing songwriting was part of the job description, she decided she better learn how to do that, too. It wouldn't be until adulthood that she seriously pursued the craft, beginning what she describes as a long journey of learning, experimenting, and becoming a stronger songwriter along the way.

These days, that journey has taken the Austin-based Texas country artist well beyond Texas.

In 2026, Cain toured across the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. On September 4, she released her latest full-length album, If There’s A Heaven. Through all of that growth, Cain still talks about songwriting with the curiosity of someone who knows there’s always something else to learn.

Rather than focusing on the challenges of building a career in music, she says she feels fortunate to make a living doing it.

“I’ve loved every second of the journey to learn and grow as a songwriter,” Cain says. “I’ve mainly just felt lucky to be able to do this for a living, and lucky to be able to learn every time I get to play a show with other songwriters.”

Cain turns to other people’s music, particularly genres outside her own, and gives herself unusual songwriting assignments. Maybe it’s writing something an early-2000s pop-punk band would record. Maybe it’s trying to write a Joni Mitchell song. Taking herself out of the equation can actually make writing something personal easier.

“Songwriters love to say that the song will tell you how it needs to be written,” she says, “and I think that’s very true.”

Cain once described her own sound as “Joni Mitchell meets Shania Twain.”

Today, she’s less interested in defining it.

“I’m not sure who I am now,” she says, “but I’m enjoying the ride!”

Maybe that’s exactly where a songwriter should be. Still experimenting, listening, learning, and letting the songs lead the way.

Learn More About Katrina Cain

Follow Katrina Cain on Instagram and Facebook at @KatrinaCainMusic, or find her music, tour information, and email list at katrinacain.com.