Julien Baker

Julien Baker

Julien Baker performing at Rough Trade NYC on January 25, 2016
Background information
Born 1995 (age 20–21)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
Origin Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Genres Alternative rock
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Associated acts Forrister

Julien Rose Baker (born September 1995[1]) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Memphis, Tennessee. She is part of the alternative rock band, Forrister, and is working on a solo career. Her debut studio album, Sprained Ankle, was well received in 2015. She is signed to 6131 Records.

Early life and education

Baker was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee[2] and grew up in Memphis with her mother and father. They attended church regularly and faith became important to her.[3] She learned guitar by playing her father's when he wasn't practicing and played Fall Out Boy covers often.[4] Her parents divorced but both supported her interest in punk music.[3] She got her father to take her to punk shows in substance-free environments organized by Smith7 Records, a Memphis nonprofit organization.[4][5]

She and Matthew Gilliam started an alternative rock band, Forrister (known as The Star Killers until 2015) in 2010. She is their singer and lead guitarist, Gilliam is their drummer, Alex Creech is their bassist, and Austin Howell is their rhythm guitarist.[6][7] During Baker's performances with Forrister, she connected with musician Ryan Azada, who introduced her music to 6131 Records.[8]

She attends Middle Tennessee State University. Originally a recording engineering major, she switched to secondary education and literature so she could teach high school students.[1][4]

Career

Baker was separated from Forrister during her freshman year at MSTU and began writing songs on her own.[3][5] She self-released an EP in the winter of 2014 on Bandcamp.[9] It would later become her debut studio album Sprained Ankle, being re-released on October 23, 2015 through 6131 Records.

References

  1. 1 2 Townsend, Eileen (October 22, 2015). "Julien Baker Arrives". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Julien Baker on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Gokhman, Roman (December 1, 2015). "Julien Baker: The Best of What's Next". Paste Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Nordstrom, Leigh (August 11, 2015). "Singer-Songwriter Julien Baker Hits New York". WWD. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Claymore, Gabriela Tully (October 26, 2015). "Read An Interview With Young Phenom Julien Baker And Watch Her "Sprained Ankle" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Forrister - Forrister". Tumblr. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  7. ↑ Ladd, Olivia (February 23, 2015). "From Memphis to Murfreesboro: Musician Julien Baker Shares Her Passion". Sidelines. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  8. ↑ Chiu, David (December 9, 2015). "Julien Baker's 'Real Life' Music Tugs at the Heartstrings". PopMatters. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  9. ↑ Mook, Aaron (November 11, 2015). "Julien Baker - 11/10/15". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
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