Wikipedia

Boygenius

For the EP of the same name, see Boygenius (EP). For other uses, see Boy Genius (disambiguation).

Boygenius (stylized in all lowercase) is an American indie rock supergroup[1][2][3][4] consisting of American singer-songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus.[5][6] They debuted with their self-titled EP in 2018,[7][8][9] and then returned after a hiatus with their debut studio album, The Record (2023), which was both a critical and commercial success, winning the members three Grammy Awards and one Brit Award. Labeled an "instant classic" by NME,[10] it topped the charts in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, and peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200. Their second EP, The Rest, was released on October 13, 2023.[11] The group is currently on hiatus.[12]

Boygenius
Boygenius performing in 2023; L-R: Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus
Boygenius performing in 2023; L-R: Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus
Background information
OriginUnited States
Genres
Years active
Labels
Members
Websitexboygeniusx.com

History

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2018: Formation, EP, and tour

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Main article: Boygenius (EP)
 
Julien Baker (left, April 2018), Phoebe Bridgers (center, July 2018), and Lucy Dacus (right, October 2019)

Bridgers has called the formation of the group "kind of an accident," wherein each of the members were simply fans of each other's work and then became friends.[4] Both Dacus and Bridgers had opened for Baker on separate tours in 2016, and they all ran in similar circles as young up-and-coming performers navigating the indie scene.[13][14]

The three became close and shared their frustrations of constantly being compared to each other as "women in rock" despite their considerably different musical styles.[15] Dacus has commented that the idea of women in music "should not be remarkable whatsoever," with Bridgers adding, "it's not a genre."[15] Each has spoken on the tendency of the music industry to pit women against each other, and the group was formed in part to reject this idea.[4][15] "I hope people see the three of us and know there isn't competition," Dacus has said. "You don't have to compete with your contemporaries. You can make something good with people you admire."[16]

Baker had joked to Dacus years before about a "pipe dream" that they could one day all form a band.[17] The three decided to book a co-headlining tour in early 2018, and they originally planned to record a single or cover so that they could perform something together on stage.[4] Upon meeting up that summer, however, they found themselves overwhelmed with ideas, and they ended up forming the band, writing, recording, and self-producing the Boygenius EP in four days, with the process involving almost exclusively women.[16][18]

Each brought one full song and one incomplete idea with them to the group.[19] They sought to create an environment free of the competitiveness and "bravado" they had often encountered in previous experiences, and they have remarked that the absence of adult men in the process proved significant, allowing them to relate to each other openly without constantly having to explain themselves.[4][18] The record was met with universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike; it was named the 12th best album of 2018 by NPR Music, despite being only an EP.[20] Their subsequent tour that November saw them performing all across the U.S., as well as on Late Night with Seth Meyers and the Tiny Desk.[17][21][22]

2019–2021: Continuing collaborations

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The group was slated to perform in summer 2019 at Woodstock 50, before its cancellation due to a series of production issues.[23][24] In 2020, they were featured on Hayley Williams' "Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris" from her EP Petals for Armor II, and also reunited on backing vocals for numerous songs from each other's solo projects: "Graceland Too" and "I Know the End" from Bridgers' Grammy-nominated Punisher, Baker's Little Oblivions single "Favor", and Dacus's "Please Stay" and "Going Going Gone" on Home Video.[25] With the releases scattered throughout the year, all of these were actually recorded on the same day, a process Dacus said "had the same atmosphere as when we recorded the boygenius EP[...] a natural result of being together, easy as can be."[25]

In July 2020, the trio released a handful of demos from their Boygenius recording sessions on Bandcamp to raise money for charitable organizations in their respective hometowns, raising over $23,000 for the Downtown Women's Center of Los Angeles, OUTMemphis, and Mutual Aid Distribution Richmond.[26][27] After reuniting on stage for occasional surprise appearances at one another's solo tours throughout 2021, the group performed their first full show together since 2018 as the headliner of Bread and Roses Presents' annual benefit concert in San Francisco on November 19, 2021.[28]

2022–2024: Record release, activities, and hiatus

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Main article: The Record (Boygenius album)

In January 2022, Boygenius recorded their debut studio album, The Record, at Shangri-La in Malibu, California.[1] In January 2023, the band announced the album, with a release date of March 31, 2023. The album artwork and three singles from the album, "$20," "Emily I'm Sorry," and "True Blue" were released alongside the album's initial announcement.[29] The three videos from the singles were all directed by Kristen Stewart, and were combined into a single promotional short film called The Film.[30] On January 31, 2023, AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) Presents announced that the band would be one of three headline acts at the inaugural Re:SET Concert Series.[31] In April 2023, the group played at the Coachella Music Festival.[32]

The band then embarked on an international tour, dubbed The Tour. The tour dates started as early as April 12, and ending on August 27 featuring special guests Carly Rae Jepsen, Bartees Strange, Claud, Broken Social Scene and Illuminati Hotties.[33] The band then later announced an additional 5 tour dates in the fall of 2023. These dates were joined with special guests Palehound, Samia, and MUNA.[34] When asked if this tour was the greatest tour the bandmembers have ever been on, Bridgers replied "Yeah... yeah 100 percent" immediately, stating the band only had one bad day on tour.[35]

On September 20, 2023, a music video was released for their song "Cool About It" directed by Lauren Tsai.[36] On October 13, the band released their second EP The Rest, which includes four new songs.[37] On November 11, 2023, the band was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, performing two songs and appearing in a sketch with Timothée Chalamet.[38] On November 17, 2023, the band collaborated with Ye Vagabonds to release a cover of "The Parting Glass", paying tribute to the late Sinéad O'Connor, an Irish singer and activist. All proceeds were donated to the Aisling Project, Sinéad O’Connor Estate's charity of choice.[39] The group received seven nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year, ultimately winning three, including Best Alternative Music Album.[40]

On February 2, 2024, the band announced an indefinite hiatus during a secret show in Los Angeles.[41] They said the hiatus would last for the foreseeable future. Before the final song of their set, Dacus said "this is the last song" and Baker added "not ever".[42] On the red carpet of the Grammys, the band was asked what this meant for their future, with Dacus stating that she is "not convinced" followed by Baker adding, "How do you know a meteor is not going to crash into earth tomorrow?"[43]

Band name

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The group has been vocal about the origins of their name, which began as a joke and a way to encourage each other in the studio.[18] All three had shared negative experiences with overconfident male collaborators—as Baker put it, "the archetype of the tortured genius, [a] specifically male artist who has been told since birth that their every thought is not only worthwhile but brilliant."[19] Dacus described the "boy genius" trope as "boys and men we know who've been told that they are geniuses since they could hear, basically," and has detailed how they attempted to channel that energy while making the EP. "If one person was having a thought—'I don't know if this is good, it's probably terrible'—it was like, 'No! Be the boy genius! Your every thought is worthwhile, just spit it out.'"[18]

The group occasionally writes their name as "xboygeniusx", such as on social media and their website.[44][45] This is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the X symbol of the straight-edge punk subculture, which Baker was somewhat involved in as a teen. She noted that they had all joked about boygenius being a hardcore band, and when creating their social media they thought it would be funny to stylize themselves as extremely punk when it wasn't characteristic of any of their music at the time.[46]

Influences

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The band shared a Spotify playlist paying tribute to an assortment of artists that influenced the music on The Record, which included bands and singer-songwriters such as Hop Along, Waxahatchee, Mineral, Fugazi, Joyce Manor, Nada Surf, Wilco, Iron and Wine, Wednesday, Broken Social Scene and Brian Eno.[47]

Discography

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Boygenius discography
Studio albums1
EPs2
Singles6
Music videos5

Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[48] 		AUS
[49] 		CAN
[50] 		GER
[51] 		IRE
[52] 		NLD
[53] 		NZ
[54] 		SWE
[55] 		SWI
[56] 		UK
[57]
The Record 4 3 11 8 1 1 2 36 22 1

Extended plays

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List of EPs, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title EP details Peak chart positions
US
[48] 		US
Alt.
[59] 		US
Folk
[60] 		US
Indie
[61] 		US
Rock
[62] 		GER
[51] 		NLD
Vinyl
[63] 		SCO
[64] 		UK
Sales
[65] 		UK
Indie
[66]
Boygenius
  • Released: October 26, 2018
  • Label: Matador
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 —[B] 24 — 9 — — 10 26 85 10
The Rest
  • Released: October 13, 2023
  • Label: Interscope
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 50 6 4 — 8 67 — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA
[68] 		US
Alt
[69] 		US
Rock
[70] 		IRE
[71] 		JPN
Over.
[72] 		NZ
Hot
[73]
"$20" 2023 30 — 44 — — — The Record
"Emily I'm Sorry" — 25 44 — — 31
"True Blue" — — — — — —
"Not Strong Enough" 1 20 26 78 9 —
"Cool About It"[74] 2 —[C] 34 97 – 21
"The Parting Glass"
(with Ye Vagabonds) 		— —[D] — 44 — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Other charted songs

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List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[73] 		UK
[57]
"Without You Without Them" 2023 39 — The Record
"Revolution 0" 40 —
"Letter to an Old Poet" 35 —
"Black Hole" 18 56 The Rest
"Afraid of Heights" 25 —
"Voyager" 28 —
"Powers" 34 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Music videos

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List of music videos
Title Year Director(s)
"Not Strong Enough" 2023 Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus
"Emily I'm Sorry" (from The Film) Kristen Stewart
"$20" (from The Film)
"True Blue" (from The Film)
"Cool About It" Lauren Tsai

Accolades

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Accolades for Boygenius
Year Association Nominated Work Category Result Ref.
2024 Grammy Awards The Record Album of the Year Nominated
[77][78]
Best Alternative Music Album Won
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Nominated
"Not Strong Enough" Record of the Year Nominated
Best Rock Song Won
Best Rock Performance Won
"Cool About It" Best Alternative Music Performance Nominated
Brit Awards boygenius International Group Won [79]
iHeartRadio Music Awards The Record Alternative Album of the Year Won [80]

Notes

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  1. ^ Indefinite hiatus
  2. ^ Boygenius did not enter the US Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 3 on the US Heatseekers chart.[67]
  3. ^ "Cool About It" did not enter the Hot Alternative Songs chart but peaked at number 34 on the Alternative Airplay Chart.[75]
  4. ^ "The Parting Glass" did not enter the Hot Alternative Songs chart but peaked at number ten on the Alternative Digital Song Sales Chart.[76]

References

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  1. ^ a b Martoccio, Angie (January 19, 2023). "How boygenius Became the World's Most Exciting Supergroup". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Martoccio, Angie (January 18, 2023). "Boygenius Are Back in Town to Save 2023". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2023. Well, the wait is over:The indie supergroup — consisting of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus — will finally release a full-length debut, titled The Record, slated for March 31 via Interscope!
  3. ^ Zhang, Cat (January 18, 2023). "boygenius: "$20" Track Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 19, 2023. The supergroup announces its long-awaited return with a three-song sampler.
  4. ^ a b c d e Read, Bridget (October 31, 2018). "A Brief Oral History of Boygenius". Vogue. Retrieved January 19, 2023. When the band was announced earlier this summer, Boygenius (styled "boygenius") instantly became the Infinity War of female-led indie-rock outfits: Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers, having been lassoed into the same Spotify playlists and genre profiles for the past few years anyway, decided to combine their efforts into one supergroup.
  5. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (September 11, 2018). "Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus Formed an Indie-Rock Supergroup". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "Introducing boygenius, a Supergroup of Indie-Rock Cool Girls". August 21, 2018.
  7. ^ Mapes, Jillian (October 18, 2018). "boygenius Are the Egoless Supergroup of Your Indie Rock Dreams". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  8. ^ Battan, Carrie. "Boygenius Is Driven by the Spirit of Solidarity". The New Yorker (November 12, 2018 ed.). Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  9. ^ Larusso, Marissa (August 21, 2018). "Hear New Music From Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus' Supergroup Boygenius". NPR.
  10. ^ Campbell, Erica (March 27, 2023). "Boygenius - 'The Record' review: the instant classic we were hoping for". NME. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Madarang, Charisma (September 26, 2023). "Boygenius Promise 'The Rest' With Upcoming EP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  12. ^ Iorizzo, Ellie (February 5, 2024). "Boygenius confirm hiatus after scooping multiple Grammy awards". Evening Standard. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Petrusich, Amanda (May 15, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers's Frank, Anxious Music". The New Yorker. Conde Nast.
  14. ^ Battan, Carrie (November 2, 2018). "Boygenius Is Driven by the Spirit of Solidarity". The New Yorker. Conde Nast.
  15. ^ a b c Rollins, Samantha (November 15, 2018). "Boygenius is Bigger Than the Moment". GQ. Conde Nast.
  16. ^ a b Conner, Matt. "boygenius - The Under the Radar Cover Story". Under the Radar. Under the Radar Magazine.
  17. ^ a b Albertson, Jasmine. "Boygenius Give Emotive Debut Television Performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers". KEXP.org. KEXP-FM.
  18. ^ a b c d Coscarelli, Joe (September 11, 2018). "Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus Formed an Indie-Rock Supergroup". The New York Times.
  19. ^ a b Schonfeld, Zach (October 31, 2018). "How All-Female Supergroup Boygenius is Changing Indie Rock". Newsweek.
  20. ^ Thompson, Stephen (December 4, 2018). "The 50 Best Albums of 2018 - NPR". NPR.com.
  21. ^ "Boygenius [EP] by boygenius Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic.
  22. ^ Music, NPR (November 26, 2018). "boygenius: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert". YouTube.
  23. ^ Kreps, Daniel (March 19, 2019). "Woodstock 50 Details Full Lineup With Jay-Z, Dead & Company, Killers". Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone.
  24. ^ Sisario, Ben (July 31, 2019). "Woodstock 50 Is Canceled: 'We Just Ran Out of Time'". The New York Times.
  25. ^ a b Curto, Justin (February 3, 2021). "Julien Baker Gets the Band Back Together on 'Favor'". Vulture. Vox Media.
  26. ^ Hussey, Allison (July 2, 2020). "boygenius to Release Demos on Bandcamp Benefit Day". Pitchfork. Conde Nast.
  27. ^ xboygeniusx. "Y'all raised 23,729.37 buying the boygenius demos on bandcamp day". Instagram. Facebook.
  28. ^ Breihan, Tom (November 3, 2021). "Boygenius Announce First Show in 3 Years". Stereogum.
  29. ^ "the record is out march 31st and three songs are out now. xboygeniusx.com". Twitter. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  30. ^ Richards, Will (March 30, 2023). "Boygenius announce new film directed by Kristen Stewart". NME. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  31. ^ Ruiz, Matthew (January 31, 2023). "Boygenius, LCD Soundsystem, and Steve Lacy to Headline New Re:Set Concert Series". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  32. ^ "Coachella 2023: boygenius brings the feels during powerful, political Coachella set". The Desert Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  33. ^ "Boygenius Announces Spring/Summer 2023 North American Tour Dates -". mxdwn Music. March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  34. ^ "Boygenius Announces Fall Tour Dates". ca.movies.yahoo.com. July 11, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  35. ^ boygenius: 'the rest' EP, Tour, & Balancing Solo Careers | Apple Music. Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  36. ^ "Cool About It, directed by Lauren Tsai, is out now on YouTube.". Twitter. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  37. ^ "Boygenius Announce The Rest EP, Featuring 4 New Songs". Pitchfork. September 26, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  38. ^ "Boygenius and Timothée Chalamet Play Troye Sivan in SNL Sketch: Watch". Pitchfork. November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  39. ^ "Boygenius Cover "The Parting Glass," a Charity Benefit Single in Tribute to Sinéad O'Connor". Pitchfork. November 17, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  40. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  41. ^ Singh, Surej (February 2, 2024). "Boygenius reportedly announce hiatus at secret show". NME. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  42. ^ "Is Boygenius breaking up? Memphis-native Julien Baker's band surprise audience during secret show. What we know". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  43. ^ boygenius on What Hiatus REALLY Means After GRAMMY Win (Exclusive). Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  44. ^ "boygenius (@xboygeniusx)". Instagram. Meta.
  45. ^ "xboygeniusx.com". Interscope Records.
  46. ^ Turned Out a Punk. "Episode 197: Julien Baker". Apple Podcasts.
  47. ^ https://www.brooklynvegan.com/boygenius-share-influences-playlist-with-fugazi-angel-dut-hop-along-suicide-more/
  48. ^ a b "Boygenius Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  49. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  50. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Billboard Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  51. ^ a b "Discographie von Boygenius" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  52. ^ "irishcharts.com - Discography Boygenius". irish-charts.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  53. ^ "Discografie Boygenius". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  54. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  55. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 14". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  56. ^ "Boygenius Hitparade". Hit Parade. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  57. ^ a b "Boygenius | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  58. ^ "British certifications – boygenius". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 6, 2024. Type boygenius in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  59. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Alternative Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  60. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Americana/Folk Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  61. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  62. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  63. ^ "Boygenius - Boygenius - dutchcharts.nl". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  64. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  65. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  66. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  67. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  68. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Adult Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  69. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Hot Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  70. ^ "Boygenius Chart History: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  71. ^ "Discography Boygenius". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  72. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of March 15, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  73. ^ a b Peaks on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart:
  74. ^ Lejarde, Arielle Lana (September 20, 2023). "Watch boygenius' animated music video for "Cool About It"". The Fader. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  75. ^ "Boygenius Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  76. ^ "Boygenius Chart History (Alternative Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  77. ^ "2024 Grammy Awards Winners Full List: 66th Annual Grammy Awards". Bru Times News.
  78. ^ Minsker, Evan (November 10, 2023). "Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork.
  79. ^ "Brit Awards 2024: The compete list of winners and nominees". March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  80. ^ Grein, Paul (January 18, 2024). "Taylor Swift Leads 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nods, With Jelly Roll, 21 Savage & SZA Close Behind: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
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