Julien Baker on Little Oblivions, addiction and why sharing her sobriety comes with pressure

In 2015, singer-songwriter Julien Baker skyrocketed to fame. She went from performing on her college campus to stages around the world, but success wasn’t what she thought it would be. Baker took some time off before releasing her latest album, Little Oblivions, to handle her issues with substance abuse and self-destructive behaviour. She joined Tom Power to tell us more.
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[@tylerjafelice]

Of course she wants to be a doctor. Have yall seen the handwriting on the Little Oblivions cover?

[@FrancisofDelirium]

Hi Tyler

[@tylerjafelice]

@@FrancisofDelirium lool finding my comments is like your KZbin side quest

[@FrancisofDelirium]

@@tylerjafelice i collect little gold coins everytime i find another one

[@corbinhawkins2630]

Lol, hi Tyler

[@tylerjafelice]

@@corbinhawkins2630 Yoooo all the internet friends are here 😂

[@fuuunkay]

She's just the most eloquent person I've ever heard, when it comes to expressing personal feelings. As if it wasn't enough how well she can express these thoughts and feelings through music. I've got a lot of respect of the incredible thought she puts into what she says and as a listener you always know that there's so much she chooses not to say (which I find respect as well).

[@connerpritchard5272]

Man, I remember when Julien's first album came out. I got interested in her music through a film teacher. Julien was a part of her class in prior years. I remember my teacher came into that room that day and was so excited to share it. She actually started crying a little bit because she was proud of Julien knowing that she had a passion for music. She told the whole class to look up her music and listen to sprained ankle. That sticks out to me because I was a person with a musical dream. Then I remember seeing her records fill the records shops I just thought it was so cool to see someone else's dream come true it gave me confidence to keep trying. I think the fact that people can view Julien not as a celebrity but just a person with a dream and a message is what makes her great to me. It's not just music made for a big money machine but its music made out of simple passion and that's the most important thing.

[@teaganfelerski7425]

Or we talkin’ about since October of 2020?

[@andrelefebvre5453]

QUOTE: "...music made out of simple passion and that's the most important thing." Wow. If only, yes! As a 64yo musician, without any career, struggling with feeling invisible against the backdrop of the short time I have left down here, this is really meaningful. ► And - great interview Tom (as always!)!! :) ► Discovering Julien today, will seek for an listen to more of her story and music. A brilliant thinker, candidly sharing her authentic human being journey. Her vulnerability is infectious, encouraging.

[@tnsfan1980]

Wow. Julien talking about being a person worthy of love. That hit so hard. Thanks for making music Julien.

[@jilliancrane2793]

she should write a book

[@happybappy0]

i agree

[@ava.artsss]

Great interviewer. I appreciate his genuine nature and the way he lets her steer the conversation.

[@kubrakelebekoglu4946]

what am I going to do for the rest of the day with these emotions?

[@andrelefebvre5453]

Process them through creativity, would be a good start, writing (by hand) is often a helpful step. Good luck! :)

[@probitionate]

If it's any consolation, I say the same thing every day upon waking.

[@Jwrll]

Aside from her being awesome, her perspective on separating your identity from your job, realizing you want to lay down one path and pick up another, etc is spot on and really more powerful than it seems. That could be an entire book series in itself.

[@call_me_cooper]

Absolutely incredible interview. I literally cannot put into words how much I connected with Julian’s story. It’s nice to experience vulnerability from somebody, and walk away feeling hopeful.

[@MaxCareyPlus]

Lovely interview. Just that picture of Scott breaks me. 💔

[@thesailor146]

She is someone who is devoted to the idea of changing the world for the better with the tool of her music. That is why she is rare, and that is why I love her.

[@daniellerogers1352]

Yeah. I'm a fairly new fan of hers, but highly relate to her narrative. She's one of those slow burn artists. I respect the shit out of those who articulate their emotions so powerfully bc I sure as hell have issues doing that. Her voice coupled with those gut-punchingly relatable lyrics make for a sheer rawness. ❤ ❤

[@stever6276]

i'm a new fan too, and highly relate. She is one of the most articulate artist and person i've ever listened too. Now we have boygenius! 3 people who are 10 times together as alone. I will suggest she is the cement.

[@rloewen]

Great interview Tom. Always great to hear the honesty of Julien. Looking forward to hearing my pre-order when I can. I hope your touring (whenever) brings you back to Winnipeg again.

[@alitherebelinstigator.7106]

Julien is so damned precious. My God. Thanks for this… what a profound interview.

[@TSmyth-sy3yz]

Julien is such a beautiful person. Tom Power is an awesome interviewer because he resists the temptation to cut in and just lets her talk.

[@ElGwapo1927]

What thoughtful intelligent answers. So refreshing to her an interview like this without the inane and trite questions and answers. Well done interviewer and intervewee and keep up with the high quality output JB.

[@Lockdheart]

This must have been recorded *really* early in the morning (at least by musician/music journalist standards). I love how they're both so obviously sleep-deprived as hell and just powering through, and they still both give it everything they've got. Respect.

[@B1GGERTHANJE5u5]

She is absolutely amazing and refreshing. What a strong spirit. Thank you Julien for strengthening my love for my sobriety today. Only a handful of days to my 1 year and was feeling flooded by old doubts. Thank you for your words and your wisdom. And of course for your beautiful art.

[@jarrettlowery2802]

Too bad she's relapsed since then

[@jessicahessica1]

@@jarrettlowery2802 this isn’t helping anyone wtf

[@brianmallen8887]

I just saw her on SNL. Well, this even keeled person, non-standard by the modicum of success and fame she'd heretofore experienced is gonna have to adjust. Bottom line is this Julian Baker has everything she probably hoped for: charisma and talent. Pheobe, Lucy, and Julien, if you can come up with a couple more "Not Strong Enoughs" then. ....

[@theothersme9919]

I admire this woman so much. Not because of what she is but because of what she admittedly is not - which makes me think: "I can get out of this since she did and she is as much an imperfect human as I am."

[@johndoyle325]

What a gem of a human!

[@SchuylerB]

I love Julien, she's a true gem in a dark world, but I disagree... audio engineering is not a marketable skill sadly, like any performing art or field in media, it's luck over skill or qualification. Right place right time, if you're a square peg, you ain't going through round hole! I studied it and struggled to get any work, 12 years later I'm still stuck in sh*tty jobs and life sucks having missed the off ramp, watching young kids overtake me and fly much higher not even having a background sucks and is f**ing degrading getting left behind. If you know the right people, then get into these kinds of fields of work, if not you have to learn to get off and do something where you stand a chance. Note to anyone here, get a proper career and save your life. It's all too easy to look at the few successes over the many failed statistics like myself. Respect yourself and your life.

[@jaz4165]

god i love julien baker

[@markstuartwakeley]

such a smart cookie

[@kaitlyncollison6908]

fr

[@user-cb8lp2bd6g]

oh my god how is she real

[@salemcvlt]

She has such a way of writing that even though I've never experienced some of the same thing she has, I fucking feel it

[@tysparks598]

I've been listening to Julien for awhile but knew absolutely nothing about her. Middle Tennessee State? That's about 30 minutes from here. Whudathunkit? Congrats on the degree, if you happen to see this. Glad you're well.

[@Dropthebeatonit]

she is soooooo clever

[@MunaOron]

love to see you taking a step back and returning to music in a way that's good for you! you've been taking care of us with your music for so long, time to take care of yourself ♥️

[@tnsfan1980]

Love seeing all your interviews Julien!

[@wolfumz]

why doesn't Julien speak with a southern accent?

[@carterwatson1949]

i love her so much!! its also really cool that were both from Memphis TN i think shes from that part of TN. Shes soo incredible

[@unclejohnthezef]

20:00 destructive situations thank you Julien thank you! you are awesome

[@heroncabo3756]

Hello good night bless for you 😷🇧🇷 atodos vocês ok

[@heroncabo3756]

Eu estou no Brasil .vou voar no ar pra mim respirar um bom ar vomos preservar a natureza. Voar vomos os pássaros.....voar voar voar pleno planeta.... nós todos vomos vencer....com amor e paz...

[@kasiad2862]

doctor Julien Baker

[@somebodysnobody2616]

No buts lol I tried that Only makes you think But but but So I tried to make all the buts positive Finally moved on Acceptance No separation of self Self Ochoes in the reflection Or recognization of self in others Thank you for being brave enough to share You're not crazy btw You can hear me Tried failed trying again It's not the sobriety it's the effort And living honestly in your truth Faith is funny like that Unconditional love from the unknown Bless you One Love BE THE LIGHT

[@faigler]

Halfway to 4 years down the line and blowing up: I hope she's proud of where she is even if she hasn't had time for that Masters yet

[@matthewaustin1617]

Beautiful authentic talk. drugs *including* alcohol 🙏

[@rajatsingh4553]

I love Julie. Julien is also good.

[@user00688]

19:27 me rn haha :)

[@AlliFrank-bw5kr]

girl loves her big words

[@fazsicle]

That smile. God

[@thesailor146]

This is GOLD!

[@leafnlore2712]

A sane person. Wow. How refreshing. As a sidenote: the interviewer can't quite grasp what she's saying. Pity for him.

[@andrewmschu]

Idol of sobriety

[@DG-qb5oc]

Ugh. Capitalism is like so '80s.

[@JewishFollowingYeshua]

Praise to the Father! Blessings Miss Baker!

[@humblebee2]

Is that a poster of Tom Power on the wall behind Julien?

[@willkohnen7681]

The late Scott Hutchison of frightened rabbit.

[@kgt9925]

Such a thoughtful and articulate young woman. Too bad Tom doesn't have the ability to ask intelligent questions.

[@GleekOff]

Ouch

[@raymondbiggs3042]

Tom gave her space to speak on her own terms, didn't interrupt.

[@karollerner8598]

The dusty mole emphatically launch because locket resultspreviously strengthen behind a poised chronometer. wanting, disturbed side