Adrianne Lenker is our greatest songwriter

If nature could sing, it’d sound like Adrianne Lenker. It’d pull you in like a wave, spin you round like the breeze and like her music it’d ground you in your body like a root reaching out, holding you still, and letting the sun shine down. And slowly, you’d see yourself start to grow. She might just be our generation’s greatest songwriter. Only time will tell. And her band, Big Thief, to me, is the most exciting act touring today.
Chapters
0:00 - Cold Open - Crossing paths in Western Mass
0:30 Intro - Adrianne Lenker, if nature could sing
1:35 - Big Thief, conjuring magic live on stage
3:00 Music is nature filtered through you
3:35 Adrianne's bio
4:30 Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
5:10 The main characters
6:26 Trusting her as a guide
7:30 The power of vulnerability
9:00 The seasons of the songs and life
9:45 Transcience captured
10:45 Authencity creates authenticity
11:40 Genuine presence
12:00 - Conclusion - Riding the wave of nature
Songs referenced: Anything, Certainty, Indiana, 12,000 Lines, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, Paul, Mary, Lorraine, Not, Vampire Empire, Masterpiece, Kerina, Jonathan, Jenni, Time Escaping, indygar, No Reason, Simulation Swarm, Change.
Also, listen to "Born For Loving You"! Just dropped and wish I could've included it more.
Niche Nonsense is a video essay channel that takes nonsense seriously and explores cultural absurdity.
#videoessay #bigthief #adriannelenker #musicreview #4ad #nichenonsense #culture #vampireempire #buckmeek #bornforlovingyou

[@carriesweeney5421]

“Everything eats and is eaten, time is fed” my favourite lyrics. she’s a poet

[@conorkmartshoppingexperien2739]

yeah "one of the best writers of our generation" is what i said when i first heard her too

[@comixbyben]

This video moved me to tears, it's everything I've felt about her music so beautifully put. Thank you. This is truly one of the great artists of this generation

[@NicheNonsense]

that’s the power of adrianne right there. honored the vid could create that space for you and appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@maxfisher1937]

Close to tears, here.

[@maxfisher1937]

Your writing is brilliant and your taste in music is 💯

[@soph964]

only complaint is that after every sound bite i wanted to go and listen to the whole song

[@aliberts]

Truly honored to exist at the same time as an artist like Adrianne- what a gift

[@Mattchu44]

Adrianne Lenker and Elliott smith are my favorite artists currently. They both sing about the same stuff we different approaches, yet they both sing from the same place.

[@dockerdave]

I'm from Perth, Western Australia and hadn't head of Adrianne before 3 days ago. Then, whilst listening to the radio at work, Sadness As A Gift came on. It was one of those rare songs which make you stop what you're doing and listen. It's a thing of such fragile beauty and sweet aching. I checked the station's playlist to find out who it was, and that's how I ended up here.

[@rainyIoI]

i'm from perth too! i've been an adrianne fan for years, what station did you hear that on??

[@dockerdave]

@@rainyIoI RTRfm

[@Lebowski55]

Awesome! Adrianne is truly one of the best going today

[@JaredDixon]

I"ve appreciated Adrianne's songwriting for a long time, but this video is a wonderful companion to their story.

[@tonymckenzie3091]

not just of this generation but one of the greatest song writers of all time

[@cjhoop2tpfan841]

I keep returning to this is video, this is art just art. I've really never heard someone describe the beauty of big thief and Adrianne as eloquently and beautiful as you. Props man.

[@kirby.3843]

getting this in recommended a day after bright future 🙏

[@Tobi-ce8nm]

Words can not describe the effect adriannes music has had on me i remember discovering big thief at fourteen feeling so incredibly lost in the world and so seen by them. they made the music to my summers and even then I think I knew they were the soundtrack to my childhood. Its meant the world they were the first band i ever got to see live and i really have grown up with their music. This video did adrianne and the whole band such justice!

[@PrimalSincerity]

adrienne lenker saved my life tbh. u felt incredibly lost before my friend hayden introduced me to her EP songs, i’d listened to Big Thief before but never her solo stuff. my own art has flourished and has become a much more direct channel from my heart after witnessing how raw she is as a person and songwriter. this video captures that idea perfectly !

[@NicheNonsense]

beautiful to hear! that’s what it’s all about. protect that channel and that vulnerability and keep putting your art out there. appreciate you watching

[@NicheNonsense]

Excited about this one! Put a lot into it, trying some new things and, hey, at the end of the day, it never hurts having another excuse to listen to Big Thief. Hope ya like it

[@maow-]

this video made me cry i love music

[@seancarterx]

Adrianne’s music has such an ethereal, eternal quality to it and it’s done so much for me both as an artist and a person. Your video perfectly captured her essence and moved me to tears. Adrianne truly is a gift and so is this video - thank you 🙏

[@LeathanArt]

Thank you

[@jamesfestini]

I second this feeling

[@pos_hippie]

my name is adrienne and this feels almost surreal each time i hear her name

[@boblugano4570]

thank you for this beautiful view of adrianne

[@MichaelTurner856]

She's pretty awesome, and inspiring and I'm glad you find so much enjoyment in her art. You're making some great video essays here and your own journey. I think all art is worth appreciating. Sending you love on your creative journey

[@matilda5501]

such a beautiful capturing of everything she is, and everything she makes. i feel so honoured to be experiencing her music in the moments it is coming out. it makes me feel so connected, so grounded, and so seen

[@liguy181]

Not gonna watch the video but you are 100% correct and I love the songs Blue Lightning and Cattails in particular, I'm going to see Adrianne Lenker in November and I think I'm going to cry

[@Queerpunx]

What a great job at showcasing the magic that is Adrianne Lenker

[@kristinhess1704]

This is exceptional writing. Goddamn. Excellent, excellent stuff.

[@35mmonica]

as a songwriter and artist 8:30 was so profound

[@jeremiah697]

Beautiful beautiful video ❤ saw them last week at red rocks and I’m still riding off the high. Life changing music.

[@NicheNonsense]

thank you! big thief at red rocks sounds like heaven

[@faseka302]

i'm crying, she is the most beautiful songwriter ever, it's literally such a gift to be able to grow up with her music, she puts into words the way i feel about the world i love her sm

[@hankadamsma]

Wow, such a beautiful video.. not only did it resonate with me deeply on a personal level, but it's a real piece of cinematographic art! Amazing how you put together all these little snippets of videos, interviews, quotes, your own thoughts and spun a story from it. I thought 'When authenticity is shared, it's multiplied' was so beautifully put and really explains Adrianne's magic and why people are drawn to her. I think being as authentic as she is and regarding her music as a complete and honest self-expression is really rare and at the same time exactly what people need. Thank you for the video, I hope you keep posting more music related ones! 😊

[@JackCerro]

Fantastic. What archery.

[@allyson--]

"Proof that when authenticity is shared, it multiplies" Aww I loved this so much!! I enjoyed the personal touch of you living close to the birthplace of 'songs'. Culturally, do people in your region enjoy her music? Or only a certain demographic? The opening with 'anything' & the shots of sunshine sent me into an episode & I had to pause the video, lol... & AH THE SOFT CERTAINTY.....! You chose the best sections to interplace throughout your gorgeous thoughts. It's a difficult task to put powerful feelings/sensations into word, let alone edit a video to go alongside it. Touching work!

[@NicheNonsense]

I think so in certain scenes! I think there’s a big writer tradition here (ocean vuong, sylvia plath, emily dickinson, vonnegut, all lived within 15-20 mins) so a lotta love for lyricists and folk music. Went to a house show last year and adrianne was a big topic. I think it might be within my circles but more than I’ve found with friends in other cities so do think there’s a connection here. And it seems reciprocal because the venue is pretty small and they can sell out radio city so playing this park twice feels like a choice. I think I was only a few people over from whoever was filming that certainty video!

[@calie666]

i first listened to 'pretty things' back on 2019 when i was 13 turning 14. i fell inlove with her (and the band's) music, it sorta connected me and started playing guitar and wanting to write how she writes. i am still writing, still improving. atleast finding ways to improve :) i put every emotion, every feeling into writing and its all because of Adrianne. love her sm

[@VioletPrism]

My favorite artist i love her music so inspiring!!

[@dee_fi_c]

This video is insanely good! I’ve got a big Big Thief phase going on right now so this was a sick watch

[@aemmathis]

Abysskiss will always be winter to me - that album sits somewhere in my soul that little else is able to reach. Adrianne’s art has made me a better person I’m sure of it.

[@NicheNonsense]

read this comment right before my drive home. got to listen to abysskiss again on my way through a foggy winter night because of it. gotta genuinely thank you for that moment

[@kx250braap]

Proud Massachusetts native here. I recently came across her music and I must say, it is phenomenal!

[@amekablame]

What a lovely video. Ty for making!

[@nerolilaine9973]

Thank you! That was a really helpful gift❤🙏

[@washburnandtheriver4607]

this is a beautiful video essay !! well done

[@BettyWetty]

This video makes me feel so warm, so comforted; just what I needed right now. Thank you.

[@mathijs4250]

Beautiful tribute, thank you!

[@alexiswolfe7605]

gorgeous work, thank you.

[@peabucket5]

Fantastic video! Beautifully serene and delightful. Great work

[@trellis1027]

This is exceptionally insightful work. Thank you, sincerely.

[@maximoments]

loved this. thanks from scotland.

[@alexbertolini9838]

thank u for taking the time to make this video it was beautiful

[@ohlouda954]

Loved this so much :)

[@jamescrossley6221]

Loved what you said at the end about vulnerability and authenticity, you captured it so well!

[@nayyfen_]

Love Adrianne and love you. Thank you!

[@kickflipcolin]

This was a beautiful video. Thank you

[@eliieam]

you captured the spirit of her music so well! i am going to see her live this year and i can't wait, her art has been a constant in my life for over a year now and I hope to channel even a fraction of her eloquence and thoughtfulness in my life.

[@ertohc]

thank you for this video

[@plesuski]

such a beautiful video, tysm for sharing :'( :')

[@louisemilemusic]

this is a masterpiece and speaks to the beauty of adrienne so lovely! thank you for your work and inspiration xx

[@neilocarroll8728]

This video is an incredible work of art in and of itself. Wow, blown away and moved by your ability to put structured thought to some of the things I’ve felt about her music. ❤

[@hcutie1797]

Couldn’t agree with you more 🙂 her music makes me feel aliveee

[@martygould5114]

I met Big Thief after a show where they opened for M. Ward. I had no idea who they were and I was knocked out of my socks listening to their performance. They were touring on their first album. I got autographs.

[@cjhoop2tpfan841]

What was ur vibe of the band, were they kind?

[@jamesturner2914]

OK WOW WHERE HAS YOUR CHANNEL BEEN. please keep making videos, please keep using your words and wonderful ways to help us understand the music that makes us. Big thanks from the uk.

[@_Oliveee]

Perfect video, great work

[@MauraMcG]

I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically agree :)

[@CooperEllenbogen]

beautiful video man thanks for sharing

[@jushajod]

great writing! i love it. continue your work! ❤

[@notsoquiet6598]

Your turn of phrase is eloquent, I'm sure we'd be fast friends my dude. Lenker reminds me that ideas are in the air, all around us, waiting to be picked like fruit.

[@AsKayy]

This might be the greatest thing i've watched on this site, hats off brother

[@katebart12]

This was a really beautiful video I have been listening to loads of interviews with artists recently trying to inspire an album of my own and she for sure is inspiring. This video was really lovely ❤

[@TheOfficeIsBananas]

I have seen Big Thief live three times now and Adrianne once and they're just simply so amazing. The way they respond to the crowd and energy and how their set list changes every night. It's amazing. Musicians don't do that! Just incredible. Thank you!

[@crash936]

Love this channel

[@pedrodemello7468]

Great video

[@eyeteye6644]

This was such a beautiful and inspiring video. Adrianne always has a way of comforting me with her music, it feels so familiar, warm, soulful, feels like an act of love and protection. Thanks for collecting all these beautiful song, interview and video fragments, it was a pleasure to watch. Much love

[@NicheNonsense]

Appreciate you watching and taking the time to write that! Much love to you. Enjoy the journey

[@quadradosuave]

great content!

[@PlagueRatt]

"Guitarist buck meek plays like hes trying to contain an instrument possed like its at risk of out of his hands at any moment" is the best and most perfect description I think I've heard of Buck's playing 🤣 such a unique and amazing guitarist

[@PlagueRatt]

Also the way she can turn any significant or Insignificant moment into a song, and the sheer amount of songs she writes already that we haven't heard leaves me with such hope for the future of her career. I think she's the only singular artist that I can say I will 100% be listening to well into old age, and it's very heartening to know I'll have plenty art to consume.

[@cwunshine]

wow

[@rw4025]

Great video, and yes she's a phenomenal songwriter. The way she sings about love and sex - very candid, explicit, vulnerable - really connects with me. They're raw unfiltered emotions that it takes a lot of courage to express even to your close friends, never mind putting them in songs that the entire world will hear. As a sidenote your voice is super relaxing and I love it!

[@shrivingdrawers]

Niche Nonsense well done!

[@Joshphone-bo7oc]

Just want to add that as effortless as it all sounds, what she does is hard. It's work. 12,000 lines, the alternate tunings, the perfectly parallel rhymes, the average of >1 album a year. Just mastering the chord progression of Simulation Swarm on guitar is advanced stuff. It's beautiful but so hard won.

[@fleas1919]

I love you

[@ryleybme]

A few months ago i found the song simulation swarm and thought this group has to be inspired by bon iver and thought nothing else of it. Now a week ago i found not a lot just forever on adrianne's spotify out of nowhere and thought this reminded me of someone so i just assumed they really liked bon iver and it only clicked to me today that shes the vocals of big thief, it blew my mind honestly that it never clicked

[@gavmonn5901]

I think Sufjan Stevens is seriously fighting for that title with Adrianne Lenker. There are two possibilities. Either they smoke weed together or have beef.

[@joanneofarc.]

true

[@davidgodbois4456]

At first I thought, who is this guy to tell us (me), anything about music. I am skeptical by nature, but I also think this band is special. Well done Niche Nonsense.

[@alexarchibald2477]

Agreed

[@PlatoIII]

You’re right and you should say it

[@lilamasand5425]

wow, KZbin recommendations really said recommendations for YOU 😂 I grew up in eastern Mass, but I've been living out west here for the past three years and I love it so much. next summer I know I'll likely be moving out of the state and I'm going to miss it a lot. by the way, did you see her when she came to Northampton earlier this year? I couldn't believe Big Thief came out here, best concert of my life! edit: literally just unpaused the video and you said that you went lmao. thank you so much for that clip of Vampire Empire!! I put out a request on the Big Thief reddit for some videos of that concert but I didn't get any responses :( I wanted Vampire Empire, Contact, and one other that I can't remember. oh well, I'm just glad I could be there

[@RussellB]

I agree. Check out Owen Ashworth

[@landoflittlerain]

She is

[@jumpedintheriverwhatdidise5499]

Ruined absolutely destroyed me when going through a break up a few months ago.

[@Glicks_3000]

her bio sounds like a wes anderson movie

[@smallthief310]

“If nature could sing, It’d sound like Adrianne Lenker”

[@allyson--]

the soft 'Certainty' referenced: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJmVgqtqnM6SmpI :,)

[@joeylopo1353]

I say this a lot. And nobody believes me haga

[@Daniel-yt6sc]

Average lyrics and average melody that is very common from the Midwest.