Phoebe Bridgers interviewed by White Lung's Mish Way for FADER cover story

The great, constantly-rising singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers is The FADER‘s latest cover star, and she was interviewed for the cover story by a fellow musician, Mish Barber-Way, singer of the powerful Canadian punk band White Lung (who have been quiet lately). They discuss the upcoming boygenius EP, Phoebe’s collaborative project with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus:

The boygenius project started because the women just wanted to write together. “Literally, every day we said to each other, ‘I feel so seen and heard,’” Phoebe laughs. “It was very ‘therapy group.’ We needed each other’s energy. I needed that female energy. I could assert myself and no one questioned me.” Later, Julien will tell me: “Each of us strived to be explicit in communication so that we could establish a trusting and respectful environment, and I believe having that atmosphere within the creative process is something reflected in the sound of the record.”

They discuss Ryan Adams, who produced her first EP and who Phoebe sings about “Motion Sickness,” a highlight of her great debut album Stranger in the Alps:

Though their relationship began as a mentoring friendship, Ryan soon started coming on to her. She was freshly dumped by her first love and vulnerable yet, as she told the Telegraph, “super-down” for it. They hooked up on the night of his 40th birthday.

“And why do you sing with an English accent? / I guess it’s too late to change it now,” she sings on “Motion Sickness.” “You said when you met me you were bored / And you, you were in a band when I was born.” The song is the epitome of confession-meets-comedy, a big “fuck you” delivered with a wink and a kiss. “How do you hate someone and love them at the same time?” Phoebe says now. “It’s so ridiculous.”

They discuss Conor Oberst, who Phoebe has toured with, collaborated on stage with, and who duets with her on Stranger in the Alps‘ “Would You Rather”:

“It was a secret show at the Bootleg,” she says. “Kyle, who runs this production company called Sid the Cat, knew I was a huge Bright Eyes fan and pushed for me to open. Conor was playing solo under some crazy name like Crawdaddy Lafayette, and I was so nervous.” She recalls being on stage in the modest venue, performing as if detached from herself and watching Conor standing in the audience out of the corner of her eye. “He was wearing a jean vest,” she laughs. “Very controversial.” Afterward, the two exchanged information and he asked her to send him Stranger, which had yet to be mixed.

“He sent me this crazy long, epic, sweet email telling me what he thought of my album,” Phoebe says. She frantically scrolls through her phone, trying to find the message. “Meant to write and tell you how much I have been listening to your cuts,” she reads. “They keep growing on me and get stuck in my head. It’s nice to know you are out there singing this stuff. I think lots of people will find good comfort in your songs. They are soothing and empathetic, which I know I need more of in my life. Anyways, I don’t want to blow a bunch of smoke up your ass, but it’s true.” Phoebe sighs. “That’s what he said. So very sweet.”

You can read much more here.

The boygenius EP will be out on November 9 via Matador, and Phoebe is also touring with Julien and Lucy to support the release. It’s “not a ‘boygenius’ tour, they will each be playing their own solo sets, but you never know what surprises might arise.” That tour includes Brooklyn Steel shows on November 6 & 7 (tickets). Phoebe also plays NYC sooner at The National’s There’s No Leaving New York festival at Forest Hills Stadium this month. See all of her tour dates below.

Along with the cover story, Phoebe released a FADER-produced video for “Scott Street” from Stranger in the Alps. Watch:

Phoebe Bridgers: 2018 Tour
September 20 Hollywood, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium /
September 21 Hollywood, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium /
September 22 Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl /
September 27 Philadelphia, PA @ The Mann Center /
September 28 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion /
September 29-30 Forest Hills, NY @ The National Presents: There’s No Leaving NY
October 3 Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren *
October 4 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s *
October 5 Santa Cruz, CA @ Coconut Grove *
October 7 Sonoma, CA @ Gundlach Bundschu Winery *
November 4 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium %
November 6 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel %
November 7 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel %
November 8 Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre %
November 10 Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall %
November 11 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre %
November 12 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall (SOLD OUT) %
November 13 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall (SOLD OUT) %
November 15 St Louis, MO @ The Pageant %
November 16 Madison, WI @ The Sylvee %
November 17 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue %
November 19 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre %
November 20 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot %
November 23 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom %
November 24 Seattle, WA @ The Moore Theatre %
November 25 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom %
November 27 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater %
November 29 San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park %
November 30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern %
/ supporting The National
* supporting Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
% co-headline with Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus opening