Adrianne Lenker
Adrianne Elizabeth Lenker (born July 9, 1991) is an American musician from Indianapolis, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of Big Thief.
Adrianne Lenker | |
|---|---|
 Lenker performing with Big Thief in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Adrianne Elizabeth Lenker |
| Born | July 9, 1991 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Origin | Plymouth, Minnesota |
| Genres | Folk |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Saddle Creek Records 4AD |
| Associated acts | Big Thief |
Early life
Lenker was born in Indianapolis and was raised in a Christian sect until the age of 6[1], but she primarily grew up in Minnesota. Her parents rented homes in Coon Rapids, Nisswa, and Bloomington, Minnesota before settling down in Plymouth, where she lived for 10 years. She spent a summer traveling throughout the midwest and living out of a blue Ford cargo van.[2] Lenker wrote her first song at the age of 8, and at age 13, recorded her first album.[2] Her other interests include studying Taekwondo, and she was the State Karate Champion three years in a row. She did not attend high school, but instead received her GED at the age of 16.[2] She attended the Berklee College of Music on a scholarship provided by Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.[3]
Career
In 2006, when Lenker was 13, she released her first solo album titled Stages of the Sun.[4] In 2014, she released her second solo album titled Hours Were the Birds.[5] Lenker also released two EPs with future bandmate Buck Meek, a-sides and b-sides.[6]
In 2015, Lenker formed the band Big Thief after meeting Meek the first day she moved to New York.[7] Lenker released her third solo album, abysskiss, on October 5, 2018.[8][9]
Personal life
As of 2019, Lenker is in a relationship with the artist Indigo Sparke. Previously, she was married to Big Thief co-founder Buck Meek.[10]
Discography
With Big Thief
- Masterpiece (Saddle Creek; 2016)
- Capacity (Saddle Creek; 2017)
- U.F.O.F. (4AD; 2019)
- Two Hands (4AD, 2019)
Solo
- Studio albums
- Stages of the Sun (LucidTunes, 2005)
- Then the Rain Came (LucidTunes, 2008 - Unreleased)
- Hours Were the Birds (Saddle Creek 2014)
- Abysskiss (Saddle Creek, 2018)
- Live albums
- Live at the Southern (LucidTunes, 2006)
- EPs
- a-sides (with Buck Meek; Saddle Creek 2014)
- b-sides (with Buck Meek; Saddle Creek 2014)
References
- Pollard, Alexandra. "Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker: 'We're all brainwashed'". The Independent. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Schonfeld, Zach. "Adrianne Lenker on Big Thief's Success and Her Intimate New Solo Album, 'abysskiss'". Newsweek. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Tedder, Michael (September 24, 2019). "Big Thief's Big Year". Stereogum. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- Dwyer, Michael. "Stealing destiny, Big Thief trust the music and themselves". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Turner-Heffer, Adam. "Adrianne Lenker: abysskiss". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Naddaff-Hafrey, Benjamin. "The Lore of Big Thief". NPR Music. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- O'Neill, Lauren. "A Pensive Trip to the Museum with Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker". Vice. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Claymore, Gabriela. "Adrianne Lenker Leans into The Abyss". Stereogum. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Boilen, Bob. "Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief On 'abysskiss' And How Songs Can Heal". NPR Music. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Barlow, Eve (May 1, 2019). "Big Thief's exploratory folk is alternately intimate and expansive on 'U.F.O.F.'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 13, 2019.