Bartees Strange

Photo by Julia Leiby

I won’t bullshit you, this is my favourite episode of season 3. Like James Vincent McMorrow said back in season 1: “fuck these boxes” If there’s an artist who encapsulates that sentiment beautifully, it’s DC-based artist/producer Bartees Strange. 

I have to be honest with you, this is the most vulnerable I’ve ever been on a podcast. I knew going into this chat that it’d get personal, but I never imagined feeling as seen as I did while talking to Bartees.

His debut album, Live Forever, is a signal fire to how little genre matters in 2021. Throughout the tracks you can hear the inspirations of TV on the Radio, Beach House, The National, and even Frank Ocean; all working harmoniously to present a blend of sounds you’ve never heard before. Lyrically, Bartees shares how nuanced his life experiences have been, effectively reminding everyone that black skin isn’t a stock character skin that tells you everything about a person. He also asks “why not?” a lot. Like, why can’t a black dude love 50 Cent as much as he loves Bruce Springsteen? Is it actually that weird if a black dude gushes about Bat For Lashes?

That question of “why not?” rests at the center of my chat with Bartees, which harkens to why this is the most personal I’ve ever been on a podcast. Throughout our chat, we share how our experiences as black men navigating the world have been eerily similar and how ultimately; we wish to live and let live.

After you hear the episode, be sure to check out Bartees track Boomer on the official New Exchange Playlist. Also, follow Bartees Strange on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.