boygenius

[skygzr]

If you’ve never heard of them, boygenius (all lowercase) is a terrific band. I’m 65 and they’re someone I point to when people say “there’s no good music anymore”. I’m a little obsessed with them.

Who they are.
Three young women (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus) who already had varying degrees of solo careers. They got together a few years ago to make an EP, then again recently to record an album and tour. They are currently on hiatus, having returned to their solo careers.

What makes them good?
What struck me at first was how well they sing together. The last verse of “Cool About It” (linked below) is just mesmerizing. I think their live performances sound better than the studio recordings.

The songs are pretty good, kind a quirky alt-rock. I’ve heard it described as “sad girl music”. Their songs tend to be personal and introspective, so I suppose there’s a grain of truth there. But it's really good sad girl music.

You won’t find jaw-dropping instrumental virtuosity, although Julien Baker knows how to paint colors on a musical canvas.

Cool, give me some links.
Not Strong Enough from the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Two bass players for some reason. They like to play with gender; their fans refer to them as “the boys”.

Cool About It from the Late Show.

$20. Still not sure what this song is about, but its fun to listen to. The two girls in the yard are the other two members of the band as kids. Love the odd-meter ending.

Here’s Julien Baker talking about why she loves Bruce Springsteen. Very thoughtful young woman.

"I fail to see what's so great about this". You know, its a big world and we don't all have to like the same stuff.

Have a great day, everyone!

 

[NitroBobby]

I just discovered these young ladies when they played on SNL recently. I was also impressed and it gave me hope for the future of music.
A quick Google search led me to some good tunes.
Definitely worth checking out

 

[Lava]

I first heard Julian Baker years ago as a solo artist. She’s a talented guitarist who does some great looping and layering guitar work along with her vocals.

 

[sovereign_510]

If you’ve never heard of them, boygenius (all lowercase) is a terrific band. I’m 65 and they’re someone I point to when people say “there’s no good music anymore”. I’m a little obsessed with them.

Who they are.
Three young women (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus) who already had varying degrees of solo careers. They got together a few years ago to make an EP, then again recently to record an album and tour. They are currently on hiatus, having returned to their solo careers.

What makes them good?
What struck me at first was how well they sing together. The last verse of “Cool About It” (linked below) is just mesmerizing. I think their live performances sound better than the studio recordings.

The songs are pretty good, kind a quirky alt-rock. I’ve heard it described as “sad girl music”. Their songs tend to be personal and introspective, so I suppose there’s a grain of truth there. But it's really good sad girl music.

You won’t find jaw-dropping instrumental virtuosity, although Julien Baker knows how to paint colors on a musical canvas.

Cool, give me some links.
Not Strong Enough from the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Two bass players for some reason. They like to play with gender; their fans refer to them as “the boys”.

Cool About It from the Late Show.

$20. Still not sure what this song is about, but its fun to listen to. The two girls in the yard are the other two members of the band as kids. Love the odd-meter ending.

Here’s Julien Baker talking about why she loves Bruce Springsteen. Very thoughtful young woman.

"I fail to see what's so great about this". You know, its a big world and we don't all have to like the same stuff.

Have a great day, everyone!

i went to see them last year!

 

[tb-player]

Long time fan here. Phoebe Bridgers has been on my list for years.

 

[Thundar]

Yep! Count me as big fan of these young ladies!

 

[noahw1]

They’re fantastic! I hope they get together to record more music soon.

 

[chuck3]

They're good all right. One of my bands covered 'Not Strong Enough' - fun song to do.

 

[skygzr]

OP here. I work for a small private school (IT stuff). I play guitar and sing for them at upper school assemblies when the situation permits. Last year I did “not strong enough” using a vocal harmonizer so I could sound like three people. The place went nuts and I got a standing ovation from two hundred high school girls! Who hoo!

They were shocked that an old dude knew about boygenius. Don’t forget that good music transcends generational boundaries.

 

[Derry Murbles]

Great band, Ms Murbles got me into them a little while back. I was a fan of Baker before and when I heard her voice in BG I thought “wow she sounds familiar.” Lo and behold…

Some of their heavier lyrics hit a bit too close to home and so it’s difficult to listen to some of their stuff at times but the lighter content is always a welcome spin.

 

[Killing Floor]

They are great! I was a big Bridgers fan before and knew the others.

They are really good live if they come to your town.

 

[aguacateojos]

They are great, and there's so much good new music right now that anyone saying otherwise is intentionally plugging their ears.

 

[manchego_eggo]

they play with a fantastic backing band too! Anna Butters, who played on the EP, is also a fantastic and tasteful bass player. Emily Retsas, who regularly plays with Phoebe and I believe usually tours with boygenius, is another great bassist too!

 

[smatanovic]

My daughter and I saw them when they toured last summer. Great show, and a great band!

If you haven't yet, check out their solo albums. They're all great but Phoebe's, especially "Punisher," are terrific.

 

[JRA]

If you’ve never heard of them, boygenius (all lowercase) is a terrific band. I’m 65 and they’re someone I point to when people say “there’s no good music anymore”. I’m a little obsessed with them.

i learned about these cats in another thread, and i agree: great band! i haven't followed any of their solo stuff, but i'll check that out, too.

 

[Oddly]

Hadn't heard of these before... definitely worth a listen. Reminds me of HAIM, who I'm a big fan of!

 

[SteveC]

Great band. My wife and daughter drove like 20 hours to see them this summer.

 

[wellshuxley]

The stage right bass player makes great music too, as both an artist and producer/engineer! Her main act is Jay Som.

 

[GregC]

they play with a fantastic backing band too! Anna Butters, who played on the EP, is also a fantastic and tasteful bass player. Emily Retsas, who regularly plays with Phoebe and I believe usually tours with boygenius, is another great bassist too!

Anna Butters has also been touring with Jason Isbell for over a year now, since his longtime buddy Jimbo Hart left. We're going to see Isbell and band in a couple weeks.

 

[SteveC]

Anna Butters has also been touring with Jason Isbell for over a year now, since his longtime buddy Jimbo Hart left. We're going to see Isbell and band in a couple weeks.

It’s an awesome show. And LOUD. Bring hearing protection.