Description
Julien Baker,Phoebe Bridgers, andLucy Dacusformedboygeniusafter booking a tour together, but the trio had subconsciously been in the works for longer than that. Through a series of tours and performances together, and chance encounters that led to friendships, includingBridgers andDacusfirst in-person meeting backstage at a Philadelphia festival, greenroom hangouts that felt instantly comfortable and compatible, a couple of long email chains and even a secret hand-shake betweenBakerandDacus, the lyrically and musically arresting singer-songwriters and kindred spirits got to know each other on their own terms.
When we met,LucyandPhoebeand I were in similar places in our lives and our musical endeavors, but also had similar attitudes toward music that engendered an immediate affinity,Bakerexplains. LucyandPhoebeare incredibly gifted performers, and I am a fan of their art outside of being their friends, but they are also both very wise, discerning and kind people whom I look up to in character as much as in talent.
With gut-wrenchingly personal yet easily relatable verses and spare, lilting melodic arrangements, all three are leading a new rock vanguard that values unflinching self-awareness and unassailable song-craft.Bakerssophomore LPTurn Out the LightsandBridgersdebutStranger in the Alpsswept best-of-2017 lists, whileDacusmeditation on loss,Historian, has already become one of 2018s most lauded releases. A long time ago, before I even metPhoebe,Julienmentioned that she had a pipe dream of starting a band with both of us, saysDacus. Then we booked this tour and decided the time was right.
It seemed obvious to record a 7-inch for tour, although many adult men will try to take credit for the idea, addsBridgers. When we got together, we had way more songs than we expected and worked so well together, that we decided to make a full EP.
In early June of 2018, they practiced and wrote for a day before holing up in Los Angeles storied Sound City studios. Each brought one finished song and one idea toboygenius, and though all six songs were fleshed out and finalized together, each reflects the sensibilities of its initial author.Bakersslow builds and taut vocals add urgency toSouvenirandStay Down,while album openerBite the Handroils with slow-burning layers of guitar as Dacus stands in her devastating truth:I cant love you like you want me to.TheBridgers-architectedMe & My Dogchugs into view with a deceptively simple open-road riff andBridgersinsistent recounting of a relationship that couldnt help but fall apart.
Everyone seemed both confident enough to present ideas and fight for their individual vision, but considerate and humble enough to make decisions which ultimately served the song, saysBaker. It was a process that required a balance of determination and forthrightness with graciousness and pliability, and I think that we all did a good job of enacting that.
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