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- July 23, 2022
JULIEN BAKER KICKS OFF TOUR AND DROPS BRAND NEW EP “B-SIDES”
You heard it here folks, Julien Baker dropped a brand new EP and kicks off her brand new tour all in the same day. Her tour The Wild Hearts Tour is an epic run with co-headlining dates Sharon Von Etten, Angel Olsen and Baker. They will be playing outdoor venues with their respected bands all across North America. The new EP B-Sides features three songs that are driven by emotion and have never been heard before. Originally these songs came from Julien’s recording sessions off her full-length third album Little Oblivions. The new songs released on the EP are “Guthrie,” “Vanishing Point” and “Mental Math.”
“Guthrie” is a soft, hushed song carried by a finger-picking ballad. Julien’s voice is mellow and stripped back. You can really hear how solid her voice carries throughout the track. The guitar balances very well with her calm-soothing voice. The sound of the guitar is so beautiful and very peaceful to listen to. It just takes you to a quiet place with light rain coming down and you hear the pitter patter on the roof. This song was originally released in Japan as a bonus track and Julien explained on her instagram that it didn’t make the cut but she liked the song in its own right.
“Vanishing Point” is a little more upbeat with more instrumental in the background but again not overpowering where it drowns out Julien’s voice. In this song Julien sings about hitting the point of no return. Far too gone that whoever she is singing to just can’t reach her. She tried to hold on and she saw her hero wash away and it broke her. The song mentions being in a car with the headlights off and just being too far gone to realize what is right or wrong.
“Mental Math” is another softer ballad. Julien talks about battling with her mental health while trying to work through a relationship. A relationship where both parties are struggling and wanting to fix each other but it can’t work unless one fixes themselves first. Sounds like the love is there and both individuals care about each other. Each of them have their own separate issues they need to work on before they can thrive together.
“The first time I ever heard Julien Baker, I wanted to know how an artist could survive such relentless and rigorous self-examination. I have been lonely, I have been alone, and I have been isolated. There are musicians who know the nuances between the three. What whispers in through the cracks of a person’s time alone. Julien Baker is one of those artists. A writer who examines their own mess, not in a search for answers, but sometimes just for a way out. A lighthouse to some newer, bigger mess.”
A very calm EP where the message is clear and the music is solid. It is not over the top, just vocals and a tranquil melody that makes you appreciate the lyrics and Julien’s voice. An EP that dives into the mind of oneself and coming to terms with situations so that they can heal and move forward. B-Sides is a self-reflecting EP that won’t have you scratching your head to figure out the emotion and meaning behind each song.
Definitely an EP worth checking out!
Julien’s Tour Dates listed below. Money from every ticket purchased will go towards support of people rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Get tickets here.
JULIEN BAKER – THE WILD HEARTS – TOUR DATES:
Jul. 21 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts *
Jul. 22 – Asheville, NC @ Rabbit Rabbit *
Jul. 23 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
Jul. 25 – Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater *
Jul. 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre *
Jul. 29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre *
Jul. 30 – Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre *
Aug. 02 – Troutdale, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheatre *
Aug. 03 – Redmond, WA @ Marymoor Park *
Aug. 05 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Garden *
Aug. 06 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Gallivan Center *
Aug. 07 – Denver, CO @ Sculpture Park *
Aug. 09 – Minneapolis, MN @ Surly Brewing Festival Field
Aug. 10 – Chicago, IL @ Salt Shed *
Aug. 11 – Kalamazoo, MI @ Bell’s Eccentric Cafe *
Aug. 12 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
Aug. 13 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
Aug. 15 – Shelburne, VT @ The Green at Shelburne Museum *
Aug. 16 – LaFayette, NY @ Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards *
Aug. 18 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion *
Aug. 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage at The Mann *
Aug. 20 – New York, NY @ Central Park SummerStage *
Aug. 21 – New York, NY @ Central Park SummerStage *
Aug. 26 – Vineyard Haven, MA @ Beach Road Weekend
* = with Quinn Christopherson
