Julien Baker - Turn Out The Lights (October 27, 2017) Album • Page 55

^ That was me the first time I heard Sprained Ankle. Hearing an openly gay woman with mental illness sing about praising God for the first time was one of the most riveting musical discoveries I’ve ever had. I adore TOTL but SA holds a very, very dear place in my heart.

 

She was incredible tonight. So glad I was finally able to catch her live. I'd say her set was about an hour, maybe a little more. But, I wish she could have played even longer.

 

im driving 12 hours to see her this weekend

 

worth

 

I don't know how but I slept on Sprained Ankle and only just listened to it and Turn Out the Lights, and... like, this may be all I ever listen to again. It's honestly so breathtakingly beautiful and sincere... and so healing for me.

There have been so many times in my life when I've been walking around absolutely broken, shards poking at my insides, etc, but have never had the luxury of falling to pieces because there was no one to take care of me... no one to provide for me if I didn't do it for myself. I couldn't miss work or class because I couldn't afford to and I was trying to make a better life for myself and my family with a degree, and I had bills and deadlines and a billion different things I had to take care of, and a billion other things that fell by the wayside because there just wasn't enough of me to go around. And I couldn't go to pieces, no matter how bad it all felt, couldn't call in. I didn't have time for a breakdown. I'd cry my eyes out on the drive home from work and show up at 8:00 the next morning. And I'm not saying all this for like pity, just - listening to these records... it feels like all of that grief, years-old tension and anxiety and pain and sadness and frustration, just... finally getting to come out. And be expressed in a way that feels healthy and beautiful and overwhelmingly positive... I'm in a much better place now, with a good job and everything, this was years ago, but... I don't know, it just feels really good.

I don't have like a hot take or anything, I just wanted to share that. I know it's like a wall of text but just wanted to get it out there.

 

I'm finally sitting down and listening to this. Wow. Only on track 7 and I know this is definitely making a late entry onto my EOTY list

 

I might last minute decide to go see her tonight. It sold out but there are some tickets on craigslist available. Wife is at a live taping of The Adventure Zone podcast so I'm on my own. It's either try to go and see her or go assemble some Warhammer miniatures lol

 

You have to go.

 

Do both

 

Just a heads up, but I just saw her violinist posted that they had a flat tire about an hour ago, if that affects your decision at all, haha.

 

got a ticket

 

For those of you who have seen her on this tour, does she hang out afterwards? I caught her here last year and didn't stick around but I'm curious to see if I can meet her and give her a high five and talk about hardcore music or something

 

I think she does most nights. I was able to meet her after the Chicago show and the Grand Rapids show earlier this year. In Chicago, My girlfriend and I were the last 2 people in the venue to buy merch, and we caught her as we were leaving. She had to go help load out, but we talked for a couple minutes.

 

Okay, so after almost a year of suffering, I gotta ask - what the hell does EOTY stand for? AOTY makes sense to me, album of the year. What the eff is E?! Executive of the year?! Employee of the year?! Earnest orange turtle Yuletide?

 

End of the year

 

Ah. That makes more sense...

 

I think they go by self defense family now





This is the worst joke I've ever made

 

show was lovely

 

I’m on vacation in London for the week and seeing Julien’s records in the record stores I’ve stopped at has been really cool.

 

I saw her last night. She's gotten ten times better than when I saw her 2 years ago and she was incredible then.

Everything gave me chills. Especially Appointments, Go Home, and Claws in Your Back.

 

Tonight was the best show I have ever been to in my entire life

 

Julien Baker is the most honest musician I’ve ever seen. Her vulnerability on stage is unmatched. Watching her perform is like watching her create these songs on the stage. It’s like she is singing about these things for the first time. And somehow we’re all watching. I have never been so emotionally invested in a piece of art. Movie, book, you name it. Julien Baker is the best live show I have ever seen in my life.
I don’t know how she puts herself into her songs in front of everyone like that. It’s honestly unreal.

 

Standing in the venue waiting for the show to start. Can't wait to ugly cry in public!

 

You won’t be the only one. I lasted half a song.

 

I lasted until the first “I have to believe it is” the last time I saw her.