Kalie Shorr Is An ‘Open Book’ On Debut Album

Kalie Shorr is literally an 'open book' with her new songs...

Written by Kelly Dearmore
Kalie Shorr Is An ‘Open Book’ On Debut Album
Kalie Shorr; Photo credit: Catherine Powell

Kalie Shorr has been making impressively sized waves in Nashville for a while now, but her just-released Open Book is her first full-length record. The “Fight Like a Girl” singer and Maine native has received rightful praise for the open-hearted, raw and very real stories she presents on the record. Sometimes an album title has a hidden meaning, but Open Book presents the truth of the matter, just as the songs on it do so vividly.

It’s all too easy for the public to be groomed into accepting the social media-fueled facades many stars construct in order for their followers to believe only the best and prettiest things about them. For Shorr, the value she provides her listeners isn’t the immaculately detailed, impeccably staged window looking out onto the neighborhood street, it’s the chaotic swirl of emotions and activity inside beyond that seemingly serene object that offers the real truth.

Kalie Shorr; Photo credit: Catherine Powell
Kalie Shorr; Photo credit: Catherine Powell

In “Too Much to Say,” one of the many standout tracks on Open Book, Shorr works out the complex, confusing and unvarnished mindset she navigated in the period following her sister’s death from a drug overdose in January. That tune, as well as many others on the record, offer a case study in how to be O.K. with not being completely O.K. and allowing honesty and time to aid the healing process. We caught up with Shorr to discuss that very thought, as well as her history with the Grand Ole Opry, the continued importance of full albums and why it was important for her to write her own songs.

Making another appearance at the Grand Ole Opry seems like a great way to celebrate your new album. What did it mean to you to make your 15th appearance there?

I am so thankful to the team at the Opry for welcoming me the way they have. Even though I incorporate more modern sounds from other genres into my music, I still have a really deep appreciation for traditional country music, and so much of that is rooted at the Opry. It feels like such sacred ground, and I’m very happy to got to put on my fancy shoes and walk on it.

You’ve had songs do well on radio, and you host a Radio Disney segment. Even with the industry changing, it seems as though radio still has a lot of power in terms of breaking artists, doesn’t it?

It has a lot of power across all genres, but it’s not the only way. Billie Eilish’s label didn’t send anything to radio for years, and by the time they did, she was already a massive star. That’s common in pop, but not in country. The closest we really have is Kacey Musgraves but she started her career with a radio hit. It’s difficult for country artists, especially women, who want to play arenas because the support of radio is crucial. It’s not impossible to do without it, but it’s a lot more difficult.

On a similar note, people have been saying for years that the “album format” is dying because of decreasing sales. But you have a new full-length album out. What are your thoughts on the state of recording and releasing full-length albums?

A great record is a great record. I’ve listened to a lot of albums and been like “oh okay, it’s obvious that they put five singles on there and then filled in the blanks.” Which is fine. I’m an album person, I always have been. I listen top to bottom in the way the artist intended. Album sales are dying because people aren’t making albums. But then you have records like Adele’s 21, Kacey’s Golden Hour, anything by Taylor Swift–those are bodies of work. And they sell like crazy. That’s what I wanted to make. I didn’t want there to be any throwaway tracks. I’m sure there’s songs people will like more than others, but every song has a really distinct purpose in telling my story. 

There are so many great songs and songwriters in Nashville, but you wrote every song on your new album. What went into your decision to feature your songs only? 

I’m a songwriter first. I loved to sing growing up, but I really fell in love with music when I started writing it myself. I was six when I wrote my first song, and then I just never stopped. I had such a wild year while I was living this record, I felt like I had something important to say. I was asking myself before writing sessions “does the world need to hear this? Why?”, because I wanted to take the pain I was feeling and try to turn it into something positive. There is an incredible songwriting community in Nashville, and I co-wrote these songs with some of my favorites. I write by myself as well, but I think I really needed the reassurance that it was okay to say what I was feeling, because I was scared. “Vices” is a scary song. “F U Forever” is a scary song. Writing them, I was surrounded by people who loved me and encouraged me to go there and be that honest.  

“Too Much to Say” has a powerful message for anyone, regardless of age, yet it seems to me that it could be extra valuable for listeners around your own age who are figuring out who they want to be as young adults. Does that ring true to you?

Absolutely. “Too Much to Say” is me owning my emotions and trying to be comfortable with them being out there for the world to see. I’m generally such a happy, bright person and I felt like the world was twisting my arm and making me turn dark and moody. But that’s also part of the grieving process. I can’t stress enough that honesty, especially with yourself, is so important. I really would be out there thinking everything was fine, then take a minute to sit alone with myself and realize it wasn’t at all. That song and this album are just as important for me to hear as they are anyone else.

“Lullaby” is also a song that seems to encourage honesty within oneself. Do you just think it can hard for people these days to simply be OK with not being OK?

I think social media really plays a part in that. My fans follow me on social media, and they saw my highlight reel during the time when this was all happening. The songs were the real truth, and now I can show them that. I’m sure there were days where I really looked like I had it all together, then I’d turn around and write one of these songs. Admitting it to myself by writing it down was such a pivotal moment for me in the healing process.