Talking to Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief)

Big Thief's site and socials: bigthief.net/
Instagram: / bigthiefmusic
Twitter: / bigthiefmusic
Adrianne's: www.adriannelenker.com/
Instagram: / adriannelenker
Twitter: / adriannelenker
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You everywhere: bigthief.ffm.to/dnwmibiy.owe
Anthony's 9/10 review: • Big Thief - Dragon New...
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Patreon: / theneedledrop
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Instagram: / afantano
Twitch: / theneedledrop
TikTok: / theneedletok

[@gambee_]

We will look back and realize that Adrianne was a once in a generation artist.

[@totlyepic]

Been saying it since Capacity.

[@100beps]

Professor Skye calls her 'a Dylan' in his review of Dragon etc. and his argument for it convinced me at any rate!

[@Askalott]

She has a beautiful mind.

[@caseyweisman3259]

@@100beps what does a dylan mean?

[@100beps]

@@caseyweisman3259 He's comparing her to Bob Dylan, but saying it's not like a second coming as much as a similar ability to use simple words to great effect and convey a lot with very little. It's a great review, highly recommend

[@elifrazer5781]

I’ve never seen Anthony so emotional. I know we make a lot of jokes here, but never feel ashamed to open up like you did here. We appreciate all you do so much. Great interview, my melon. Unsubscribed and reported

[@deathchips926]

Hahaha fuck I’m dead

[@ranyart8740]

hear! hear!

[@le4chehenry324]

nah the good news track review literally had him red

[@alexswedock3911]

when he reviewed Mac Miller's song Good News he broke out crying. I did too listening to that song. Felt for him

[@FungusMossGnosis]

He planned that. It's like a flasher showing his junk to a woman he wants attention from. Fantano is an emotional terrorist and phony. He's not a critic he's a content monkey manchild.

[@samescourt3801]

Man even just listening to Adrianne speak puts me at ease. Such a gentle, beautiful soul and a wonderful interview.

[@Zeldamarie1482]

Too bad her nose looks like a beak

[@tyc9909]

low key i think her voice is so much of the reason why melon felt so comfortable crying in front of her like, the topic was just a trigger lmfao

[@HeatleyBros]

When she said that she wanted the listener to know that they are cared for, that got me. What a wonderful and noble thing. We all need to hear that too. The internet can be a lonely place, but she reminds us that it’s ok, and we can all be lonely together. ✨🤝✨

[@davidgjam7600]

Adrianne is a better therapist than I've ever had

[@newguy5761]

Love you Melon, love you Adrianne. She is so wise, speaking absolute truths

[@ttarkus]

He*

[@alexs.3383]

absolute truths .... ?

[@braden_m]

@@alexs.3383 they’re like truths…but…actually have I no clue

[@alexs.3383]

@@braden_m I'm curious what they mean by that too. I suppose it may mean that the statements spoken greatly align with this person's value system, which is subjective. If you believe in something with all your strength, perhaps you assume it to be true for every human, making it absolute. Also, society values particular rights/freedoms & agree upon them as human rights applicable internationally -- does that count as absolute truths?

[@btarczy5067]

@@alexs.3383 I guess it‘s more of an expression here. Like in „absolute madman“

[@tykuecks9349]

As someone who has struggled with ADHD and depression for a long while, hearing you talk about your ADHD diagnosis and how you had been beating yourself up really resonated. Thanks for sharing!

[@txrracxtta]

Same here. We're all in this shit together!

[@velvetwaltz]

same

[@Gnog22]

Y’all are pathetic

[@mhbackman]

Damn I love them crying together. ❤ This shows how much Adrianne's music means to people, how we share our pain together and support each other through it.

[@Jack-uz9li]

I listened to this without watching , missed them crying. When?

[@raph2k01]

@@Jack-uz9li 23:00

[@Android480]

She is on another plane. I don’t allow myself feel those emotions more than once a month and it seems like she simmers in it, finds meaning in it and makes beauty from it every day. Emotional intelligence is a real thing, and I’ve got very little of it.

[@AdmiralSarcasm]

For what it's worth (& ignore my username here, I'm being genuine), it might help if you let yourself feel those emotions more often. Like with everything, you've gotta practice, & sometimes that means sitting with emotions that might initially feel uncomfortable.

[@G5.Giotto]

@@AdmiralSarcasm definitely,it’s very difficult tho but it’s liberating to feel freely,without judging yourself almost

[@JonnyBriers]

If you want to improve your emotional intelligence (without diving into therapy), I would recommend just trying to write down your thoughts into a notes file on your computer. You can delete it all as soon as you're done. Set a timer of say 20 minutes, and try to type the entire time, even if it starts off like "Hello, I don't know what I should be typing here, but I will keep going and see what happens." It's a great way to get in touch with yourself and it's quite easy, but can be emotional.

[@colinpaton3304]

i believe in you even when you need to recoil

[@jonathanlgill]

The type of person she is really matches what I was expecting based on the alubm they put out.

[@andrewh5138]

What an amazing interview. Adrianne is so, so special and it was riveting to see her beautiful, thoughtful presence bring Anthony to actual tears in self-reflection. We love you, Melon.

[@michaelwrider]

This was so beautiful to watch. I felt as if I witnessed two children, or at least two inner children, come out of these adults in the most sincere way. It goes to show the world is changing. May we value softness and listen to every part of ourselves always.

[@nigelcarleton2115]

Anthony and Adrianne crying at 23:01 is the therapy session I didn't know I needed

[@The90slim90]

I thought this was a meme comment but damn this actually happened, what an eye-opening, vunerable and progressive moment.

[@MiloTheWalrus]

So thankful Anthony is open to sharing so much of his personal journey, makes me feel less alone

[@txrracxtta]

As someone who spent 17 years constantly having flaws and problems pointed out, making millions of mistakes and always blaming and beating myself up, only to get an ADHD diagnosis myself that changed my life and the way I cope... Anthony has always been my favorite KZbinr but it means so much more now.

[@ThomasBarthoulot]

Spoiler altert

[@493HZ]

Let's timestamp da cry boiz

[@JS-je7wb]

One of the best songwriters of this generation.

[@michaelmorgan8110]

This was one of the best interviews I have ever seen. Big Thief and Adrianne’s music has touched me so deeply, has became an eternal safe space for me. Saw her in Joshua Tree last year and my sister and I were crying almost the whole time. Such a healing experience. Thank you Adrianne for the transcendent music and Anthony for being so transparent and raw. Sending love & good vibes to you both

[@sansxerife2008]

I saw Big Thief live 7 years ago and her vocal performance is the best I can remember experiencing in my life

[@cloud1660]

hey Anthony you deserve lots of happiness because you make a lotta people happy (im sure im not the only one here). I wanna send you all this love and also wanna thank you for all these years filled with little moments of humor, not trendy opinions, bands I never heard of, and such. you've always been an inspiration and I mean all this. I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you about this incredible music someone is making in a little town of Southern Europe, but I can't right now, so I hope your people do it for me. on another note, magnificent interview. forgot to mention, but look at your arch, how much you've evolved, from the set up of your reviews, to interviewing phenomenal people, to that tour I recall you did a while back. I dunno man, it seems to me your always getting better. Amazes me the will power one has to have to keep making all these reviews year after year without giving up or saying fuck off. specially when you get shit from people you don't know. that means you gotta truly love music. and in a way, im sure music is gonna love you back for it. And also im absolutely convinced people who know you love you really for who you really are. what could be better than that? sincerely, a thankful fan who wishes you the absolute best

[@takingfoodoffyourplate7887]

this was an amazing comment. made me tear up like 3 times throughout reading it .

[@tomwilko7841]

i agree with everything u say but feel a little cheated u didnt finish with "unsubscribed"

[@browk2512]

WE CRY TOGETHER

[@jackjohnson5559]

bro I wanna cry with adrianne. thank you melon for not just giving us an interview but a really special moment of human connection

[@yungburbs3001]

Holy shit this is amazing Anthony is the most genuine guy I've ever seen He's right, MBDTF was a 6

[@danielgilbert8338]

I have never listened to Big Thief. This got auto-played after a different Fantano video. It's one of the best interviews I've ever seen. It's so honest and raw and digs so deep into the ethereal crafts of making art and making oneself whole and where those things interlace. Wow. Thanks for this. Love you Anthony. Thanks for all the work you do

[@tylerkeller7120]

I hope after this, you listened to Big Thief because if this interview changed your life, my god that album will fuck you up

[@michellet1800]

Adrianne is a true artist, through and through. She gets it. She knows that true art needs to be authentic. So good.

[@frost1995]

Adrianas song "anything" means so much to me... It feels like a warm hug

[@Waluiginumberone]

You are so right about this

[@rickashley2322]

Same XD 🥺

[@kaeyaliker]

oh man. that song. i wonder if she's aware of how special it is.

[@allyson--]

I so enjoy what Adrianne said about the album nourishing the alienated soul & representing where all the band members are at in context of their separate but collective lives. To me, their music expresses what people tend to not acknowledge but deeply wish to share.

[@povmattyb]

Adrianne is so thoughtful and well spoken, and such a prolific artist

[@daneolsen1080]

As one man to another, thank you for helping to normalize men crying and opening up.

[@NeonRadarMusic]

Hey Anthony. As someone who hasn't been diagnosed with ADHD yet but seems to have all the symptoms (I plan to get tested soon, I'm 30), I strongly related to what you said 23 minutes into the interview. I just wanted to say that you've come really far and you've enriched my life and all your viewers' too. Hope you read this and that you're okay.

[@ellieegerton1721]

Met her this year. One of the most beautiful souls

[@Rob-jq2uj]

Such a great interview. Thanks Adrianne and Anthony for being so truthful and vulnerable for us

[@JuliaRoshambo]

i am in awe. what a beautiful interview. anthony, you have out done yourself with this interview. i love how you always give artists space to speak, pause, think and really get to the heart of their own ideas. And Adrianne is impossibly generous with her openness, wisdom and thoughtfulness. i cried with y'all-and i really ,really commend you both for your vulnerability. listening to this made me feel like 'making' something after feeling so disconnected for so long. thank you ❤️ 🙏

[@kide9747]

I feel like I just went through a therapy session. Amazing interview!

[@everywone6715]

Adrianne Lenker is truly one of the few songwriters today that can distinguish herself from the rest. I'm really glad that she got to do this conversation with Anthony and she seems really content with sharing her and Big Thief's process and exploration. Great interview, actually giddy seeing this on the timeline. ❤️ "It's music."

[@fjdkalgj5]

Anthony, I was diagnosed with ADHD just last Thursday, and I fully understand where you’re coming from. It’s a weird mixture of relief that you’re not ”stupid” or irresponsible, and also sorrow for all of the years lost in self-loathing and difficulty navigating life. Hope all the best to you in your journey of finding yourself, man! This conversation truly moved me, and I’m so glad I watched it. Adrianne is probably my favourite living songwriter, and her genuine heart really shines through. 🙏

[@erishah447]

she made me cry too...last year i started listening to big thief and it was the only thing that saved my life,it was so warm and forgiving and i felt cared for...cancer energy

[@alek0stoev878]

As someone who’s struggled with adhd symptoms and being alienated from the majority of whichever environment I’ve been in throughout my life, it brought light into my vision of how things are going to be ok with the mentioning of Anthony’s realistic struggles and Addriane’s super meaningful depictions of hardships in life. Thanks for this

[@abelkeke]

This is incredible! I love how genuine and wholehearted Adrianne is! Thank you Melon! Thank you Adrianne! Edit: When I wrote this comment I was only about 9 minutes into the video but after watching the whole thing I was blown away. I can relate to so much of what Adrianne and Anthony said. Like I've been doing inner child work and dealing with my own trauma, as well as learning to accept and love myself. To believe that I deserve to be loved can be hard, especially when you're not neurotypical and have a late diagnosis, there can be so much shame and feelings of inadequacy that you internalized from your past. I hope you can heal a lot of those wounds Anthony. Thank you for changing my life by expanding my tastes in music over the years. I have grown so much as person because of it. LOVE YOU ALL!

[@fromtheotherplace]

this was one of the best interviews I've seen in a while, very real and authentic

[@kovarigabor1316]

It's crazy to feel this. The way she speaks about creating and living through her music its almost as you living through feelings right now. She is so careful about talking about what she feels it makes music itself a mystical entity a new thing that ppl should connect to. It's amazing how she's so emotional about even speaking about music

[@cheesybirdmess7349]

I am someone who mostly listened to hiphop, but over the last year or two Nirvana and Fleetwood Mac were the only two bands that opened the doors for me to a rock/guitar based music. Then, thanks to Anthony I discovered amazing bands like Yves Tumor and finally Big Thief who I am so in love with and easily became one of my all time favorite music artists. Adrianne Lenker is such a beautiful soul and really reminds me of Stevie Nicks in terms of her passion for songwriting and spilling her soul into the lyrics. Thank you Fantano and Adrianne for this meaningful talk and please keep up with fulfilling our lives.

[@honestone4306]

The song Masterpiece is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard in my life. It helped me through a very dark depressing time that I was scared I would never get out of. You are the man for getting this interview Anthony. She seems so kind.

[@carstenkottraba2239]

It’s so cool how the whole band creates songs almost as one body and they all come to an agreement with their sound

[@meguminishimura1891]

I keep coming back to this interview when my soul needs to feel gentleness. Such a beautiful conversation.

[@147mastery9]

I never left a comment on your videos but I feel you deserve props. This interview was so deep and so good. I love interviews with Adrianne Lenker but this one was the best I saw so far and I'm only 20 minutes in. Great job! I can relate to so much she's saying. Love it!

[@horchatagod9612]

Discovered her from my friend who was showing me “Simulation Swarm” while we cruised in the NC mountains and man she went off on that song 😮‍💨

[@amekablame]

This is such a great conversation. Thank you guys for opening up. I can really relate with alienation / adhd. Big hugs all!

[@NeutralMjolkHotel]

This is a profound and beautiful interview. Happy you both were able to have this discussion.

[@ytm23ak]

Never heard of big thief before your recent review of Dragon New Warm Mountain, now I’m in love with their work and I’m going to their upcoming concert in my town!

[@originalboxelder]

Lenker really shows how important it is to practice your craft. Her constant output has been really exemplary, and I feel you can see her song writing improving with every release. I really think the last album is her best so far lyrically. If you want to be good at anything, do it a lot.

[@smokyclap6033]

I believe everything happens for a reason. For most people that listen to Big Thief and become die hard fans, I believe they feel a strong spiritual connection to the music and the band. Something Adrianne says in the interview about how it’s become clearer to her the reason she makes music made me realize something. She reaffirmed something I had begun to believe years ago but now suddenly I understand it much more clearly. I always felt this band came into my life for a reason and now I know.

[@jaososchefget3632]

she's a goat for staying in this place, especially on her own without a specific spiritual practice.

[@beth6843]

she’s very well spoken, love adrianne and her music always. nice convo!

[@Julia-mw1gi]

Wow, this was such a great and raw conversation. One of your best interviews so far.

[@billyparham630]

adhd diagnosed at age 29. this was very helpful. thank you both for this.

[@gardenboydon]

fantano really is morphing to an incredible interviewer before our very eyes. it's inspiring

[@Sveccha93]

Ten minutes in I was already crying. Such pure and simple and true reflection is so rare and so soothing.

[@ashgibbons1579]

never seen melon cry. appreciate this interview more than you know, it was a great birthday present. This has been my favorite record of 2022, and it might be my favorite record since igor to be honest.

[@meganhull23]

I've been extremely afraid and self-doubtful in the face of huge life changes on the horizon. I've also been avoiding that stress, and avoiding myself. I can feel this interview helping me come home.

[@musicfromthe12thfloor84]

half way through this conversation and I think: wow! haven't heard anything deep and vulnerable -without becoming esoteric- like this in ages...thank you, both of you. really, truly.

[@GrantLeeEdwards]

Fellow ADHDer. Thx for expressing how deep those wounds cut. Means a lot. ❤

[@aziel9141]

This is beautiful, man. Adrianne is a beautiful and inspiring soul. Appreciating her words

[@RyanBellMusic]

Her innocence and vulnerability is what makes everything she does special. Most artists aren’t secure enough to do that.

[@paulinebureau6528]

This interview is a sanctuary for love and vulnerability, thank you for creating such a space

[@YvesBelliveau]

This might be my favourite of your interviews yet, and I feel that's saying a lot because I love so many of your interviews. Can't force this kind of thing, but love it when it can be captured like this. Thanks :)

[@emmachats]

Learning how to trust yourself and trust that you're a person with something valuable to say is really difficult, and I love the way Adrianne talks about it. Hearing this interview makes me realize what it is about her music that I relate so much to. I also think Anthony gives a great interview in terms of listening fully to her responses and building off of them, furthering the conversation her responses build. I'm really glad I stumbled across this, it was a great watch :)

[@Likoiko1]

Adrianne voice is soooo soothing, stumbling upon them was a gift

[@thomaswheatley3384]

What a real conversation. Hearing these guys hash this out has really untangled something in me. Thank you!

[@Goaterd]

This spoke so directly to me! I feel so much love for these two for being vulnerable and speaking their truths and sharing it. You two are incredibly brave and beautiful. Thank you!

[@pearl559]

Loved this. When I found big thief I knew their music was special, but this interview helped me figure out why I connected with them so much

[@steadyrhythms9571]

honestly didn’t intend to watch the whole thing, but here i am at the end. just couldn’t stop listening to her. i honestly love when people talk so much, i have a tendency to either not talk or go on for forever so it’s nice to see someone given the opportunity to have free range. Anthony truly is very good at interviewing, it definitely feels more like a conversation than an interrogation. again, i love how he let her talk and never once interrupted her despite how she could go on for minutes. that’s what an interview is about: we’re here to hear what the artist has to say, not to get through a checklist of questions where we get the answers we want to hear. and yes, the tearing up bit was touching. i am beyond lucky that i have happened to be lucky to fit into what the school system desires and have done very well, but i have never felt truly intelligent, and always have acknowledged how people who are very clearly more creative and smart were literally ranked below me, which never felt fair. i wish the system took care of our youth better, fostering growth in a healthy a way of positive encouragement. it felt like she very greatly appreciated how Anthony interacted with what she had to say, so again, just a very well handled interview.

[@steadyrhythms9571]

i think Two Hands was the album that made the band start to click with me. i listened to UFOF and honestly probably didn’t give it much of a chance due to the TND 5/10 (whoops). i should have listened to pitchfork, because i really liked the next album, particularly the standout “Not” which i can vividly remember crying to on the way to high school one morning. i was very excited for this new record, and i listened to it on a drive home from college, and it just was instant gratification. it blew me away, i already knew i would like it but this album is a masterpiece. it’s become clear that the hype from pitchfork is warranted, this truly is a special band, and this interview reinforced that further. they might seem silly to some, but they really are just such an emotionally mature collective, which i have felt evident for some time, it just seems increasingly more clear how wise they actually are.

[@evedotcom]

I didn’t think I’d watch the whole thing either! Was weirdly captivated listening to her ❤️

[@tylercloran298]

@@steadyrhythms9571 I’m as guilty of passing over or judging music based on reviews as the next guy, but it still breaks my heart that people overlook UFOF. That is such a sacred, powerful, beautiful record. I’m sure you’ll give it another chance if you haven’t already, but if you need that extra push, here it is! Erase the 5s that cloud your brain and maybe you’ll feel as rewarded as I was!

[@dilbyjones]

This woman has the most amazing way of expressing herself I haven't heard since Shakespeare or who is otherwise know as Shakespeare NO JOKE. Mostly in terms of her lyricism but also form at times. Hope she keeps blessing us.

[@koyolee8233]

the studio space that she talks about wanting to do at the end of the interview sounds sooo ideal

[@jerichobg2024]

Many of the things she says I have been thinking about for a while, and I've felt really alone in the process of that, and hearing her say these things is such a joy. It reminds me a bit of some of the writings of Neitzche and Epicurus, but also Wes Cicel here on youtube.

[@sarah-anneperry6932]

She's such a rockstar. Thank you Anthony for that amazing interview!

[@matthewbrown7572]

Wow, this was truly a beautiful moment from 2 beautiful souls trying to show the wonder in all of use. Isn't that what art is all about? Thank you ! I think that just made me a little bit better person.

[@Askalott]

Wow, that was fantastic. What a captivating conversation. I adore Adrianne Lenker and the rest of Big Thief. I really want to be her friend, lol. Her UFOF, if you will. Thank you both for opening up and being vulnerable. I'm going through a similar transition in my life.

[@MauraMcG]

She's on the healing path and it shows through her words & music. So wise, so vulnerable.

[@kaiquefranca5]

Adrianne feels like a literal angel

[@momanfeman3790]

This was a very helpful conversation for me, thanks adrianne and anthony

[@caderwalker]

What a fantastic interview. Love you both thanks for everything you both add to the world.

[@hoolehoop]

big up for showing your emotions - sharing your actual state! what a beautiful interview

[@cbfire9987]

Seeing Big Thief live in a month. I’m so pumped to get so see such an important artist live.

[@MrAlecPinnock]

Me too! Just got the last ticket for 300. But it'll be worth it haha

[@cbfire9987]

@@MrAlecPinnock No way! I got mine early at like 30 bucks each! Cleveland April 22nd. I’m glad I got in early lol

[@MrAlecPinnock]

@@cbfire9987 ahh I'm out in Utah. Its a tiny venue so they went quick haha. Was considering driving out to Colorado or seattle

[@pricolos]

Right on! Let that emotion flow. Vulnerability is a strength.

[@amandamcbride256]

Adrianne..your music is essential in my life. Ive connected so many personal moments and memories to your words n melodies. Thanks for sharing you. On blast daily while im burning the rubber down

[@ffwlpe]

such a beautiful, beautiful therapeutic interview ❤️ so much food for thought all over it

[@HBCrigs]

its fun to see an artist working on the same things i am.. learning to find my own root, my values, and my intuition.

[@RicketyBread]

What a beautiful mind. The ability to open up and be vulnerable and simultaneously hold space for others.

[@creepyjanitor]

spot on about emptiness and connection to whatever it is that helps you create. It takes an almost straight edge, monastic way of living to produce a certain quality of art. Imagine giving your child self a few beers, or being stoned or emotionally stressed and expecting somethings fruitful to emerge. It's no wonder so much music is totally insufferable because it's just a reflection of someones inner garden.

[@AD-fx2qd]

Excellent interview. Recent fan of all things Adrianne (basically since her last solo album), and thought this was a really great discussion about the Real Shit in life. Left me with a lot to ponder on. Thank you. Love it.

[@jonnystovall5247]

Love love love Adrianne. She is going to be an artist to keep an eye on

[@lucygallagher6747]

I feel like I feel some kind of spiritual connection to Adrianne. I love her, she’s such a genuine human being

[@FatherSpencer]

I love her so dearly. She is so deeply beautiful and gentle, and I hope to be more like her

[@dianag6546]

I feel that their art reflects the collective energy , Adrianne seems so in tune with her intuition so it seems natural that it happens .

[@shillishill]

32:00 I can relate as I find myself often being so self-critical with my writing or creating music. This was my favourite bit she spoke of.

[@nickpflug9429]

first time long time, this whole thing was so beautiful. Thank you, the the both of you.

[@livcole1229]

This is amazing!!!! Thank you both for sharing so much with us. We feel it!

[@LG-pv8se]

"trusting that whatever we make is us" wow. a beautiful album im so grateful to have on cassette for my car

[@findlayrutherford]

absolutely transcendent interview my guy

[@adamwendt8972]

Album of the Year. Just a revelation out of nowhere for me.

[@Mika-it1fv]

It’s so amazing to see the process in this interview: From feeling lost in this kind of society to the point where Adrianne’s eyes lit up while talking about their Vision of a beautifully created space… Thank you!

[@jacobranjbaran2704]

If I got to talk to Adrianne Lenker I’d probably also be crying within the first 20 minutes or so

[@christimmins1233]

Wonderful interview on so many levels. Thank you. I'd love to know more about the "lesser known" artists whom she regards as her heroes and about these family music camps!