INSPIRATION HOUR 02: boygenius

There’s nothing worse than a supergroup. Combining the members of already famous bands or bringing together artists, trying to pick the best parts of them. More is not more and usually the sounds which are preferred by previous fans are washed away as new compromises arise. Basically it’s a pot with too many ingredients: something like a sushi burrito, bringing out the worst of both worlds instead of the best. 

And then there’s boygenius. A band formed by Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, all of whom are stars in their own rights.

I love these boys. And boys is what they are: they have defined their group identity as “boys”, which works on multiple levels. Obviously it’s a big pride flag and a nod to the whole LGBTQ+ community, but also a play on gender fluidity and a business dominated by men. The music works on new levels when they sing about themselves being “not strong enough to be your man”, which makes it easier to approach for straight men, too. Those who usually have a hard time listening to music made by gays.

That’s not the only thing that is refreshing: with boygenius, there’s actually real, acoustic instruments and harmonies, with only little retouching and no autotuning.

In the time of electronic music it’s soothing to hear a human voice.

There’s also a beautiful, almost revolutionary  joy in everything they do. They dress up for shows, sometimes being country royalty such as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, sometimes you can spot Jesus playing the guitar of Julien Baker.

I saw the boys live in Gothenburg this summer. They were smiling and laughing throughout the show. Lucy Dacus sang, laid-back, drinking tea at the same time. In the end Julien played a guitar solo and everyone attacked her, smothering her with kisses. Haven’t seen that happen with any male-dominated supergroup.

And it doesn’t take anything away from the big purpose: they are vocal about human rights and do not shy away from subjects such as colonialism, trans rights and abortion.

They also have their own group therapist.

Most of all it’s interesting to read how their creative process works: everybody brings their own darling to the table, tells about their struggles – and then they decipher it, respectfully.

What is in the core of boygenius is something very pure. Something very open, straight-forward, real.

Tried and true, as Lucy sings in True Blue.