AUGUST PONTHIER RELEASES “BETTY,” ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM

Today, Texas-raised and Brooklyn-based artist-writer August Ponthier announces their full-length debut album, Everywhere Isn’t Texas, releasing February 13, 2026. Pre-add / pre-save HERE.

Everywhere Isn’t Texas is a project about coming of age, queer identity, difficult family dynamics, and growing up in a place that doesn’t always love you back. The record blends alternative, pop, country, and folk genres in tribute to the music that helped August get through their childhood in Allen, Texas. Read more in the Rolling Stone exclusive about the album HERE.

Ponthier co-wrote every song on Everywhere Isn’t Texas with some of the most influential songwriters in music today, including: Amy Allen (Sabrina Carpenter, Harry Styles), Dan Wilson (Adele, Chris Stapleton), Ethan Gruska (Phoebe Bridgers, Fiona Apple), Audrey Hobert (Gracie Abrams), and more.

Previewing the album now, Ponthier treats fans by introducing “Betty,” a reflective and soul-searching track that mirrors a new chapter in their own story.

“‘Betty’ is a song inspired by a girl I knew,” August shares. “Who I’m referring to as “Betty” because of her retro style like Betty Grable or Bette Davis. She was someone from my days in Texas, someone who wasn’t living as her true self, while I also wasn’t living as myself. We met up, years later after both having moved to Brooklyn. While we were walking around, I told her that I regretted that we couldn’t be safe spaces for each other back then, and she replied with ‘It’s just nice to meet you all over again.’

“Since then,” they continue, “I realized we had more in common than I thought, as I came out as nonbinary and as August on October 15. So, it was fitting that my next single is about meeting someone as your true self, specifically two LGBT+ people introducing themselves with their real names. It’s nice to meet you “Betty.” And God, is it nice to meet you all again as August.”

Written by Ponthier, Audrey Hobert, and Jack Hallenbeck with Matthew Neighbour producing, “Betty” marks a milestone release in Ponthier’s own gender discovery journey, and welcomes listeners to the world of Everywhere Isn’t Texas.

EVERYWHERE ISN’T TEXAS TRACKLIST
World Famous (August Ponthier, Ethan Gruska)*
Ribbons And Taxes (August Ponthier, Caroline Pennell, Sly)*
Handsome (August Ponthier, Sammy Witte, Wrabel)*
I’m Crying, Are You? (August Ponthier, James Flannigan, Annika Bennett)*%
Everywhere Isn’t Texas (August Ponthier, Ethan Gruska, Dan Wilson)*
Betty (August Ponthier, Audrey Hobert, Jack Hallenbeck)*
Karaoke Queen (August Ponthier, Ethan Gruska, Micah Premnath)*
Angry Man (August Ponthier, Laiko, Amy Allen) +
Bloodline (August Ponthier, Kyle Shearer, Nate Campany) #
Everywhere Isn’t Texas (Reprise) (August Ponthier)*

Executive Produced by Matthew Neighbour