Julien Baker and Torres make space for their own stories on the country-influenced Send a Prayer My Way
The two lesbians from Tennessee wanted to reckon with their conflicted relationship to the conservative-associated soundtrack of the American South. But their plans were put on the back burner until the pandemic (and a stoned call from Scott) got things cooking. Now, they've set up camp with elegant fiddles, sun-dappled mandolins, banjos, expansive pedal steel guitars and the occasional herd of rattling drums.
Interviewed for The Independent earlier this year, the more outgoing Scott (better known for her funkier-edged indie-rock) explained that – during a period of such bewildering social upheaval – she was drawn to the structure, rules and history of country music. Baker, meanwhile, came to accept that the narrative twang of country was rooted deeper in her 'lived experience' than she'd previously allowed herself to acknowledge. So they set about making space for their own stories within that tradition, while also following in the footsteps of queer artists such as KD Lang, Brandi Carlile and The Indigo Girls.
So on 'Off the Wagon' Baker, who has gone through her own struggles with addiction, sings about 'threading the needle, changing the dose' – her tentative voice picking its way through the confusion. 'Tuesday' has Scott, in her deeper, dustier vocal, unpacking a long-suppressed tale from her teen years about a girl whose mother is scandalised by their relationship. The girl 'asked me to write her mother and say sorry for the confusion/ That of course there'd been no sin', she sings. 'And to emphasise how much I loved Jesus and men…' The explicit details about queer love and Scott's confrontation of homophobia are wonderful.
The duo's vocals blend with giddy joy over the sweet strum of single 'Sugar in the Tank' and with easygoing companionship over the trotting beat of 'The Only Marble I've Got Left' (on which they agree that 'there's no such thing as guilty pleasure/ As long as your pleasure's not unkind'). On 'Bottom of a Bottle', they throw sisterly lifelines as they immerse themselves in the blues tropes of ending up alone and checking 'every honky tonk in town… I lost my faith… I lost my woman'.
Country music's seemingly immovable framework provides a solid structure for Scott and Baker – both restless, questing thinkers –in which to explore their own uncertainties. The acknowledged unease of open-ended questions is balanced by melodic resolutions and witty modern games with old country cliches. 'You get the hand you get and try to deal,' they sing on 'Off the Wagon'. Hooks are tossed out as smoothly as well-thumbed playing cards; Send a Prayer My Way follows the rules of old, familiar games, but invites new conversations to the table. A warm and inclusive record.
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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
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England fan, 8, left Ian Wright in stitches with response to Alex Scott question
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The National
12 hours ago
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Gaza genocide to cost of living crisis Fringe Festival about oppressed
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Across the world, countries that are – or, in some cases, were – democracies are witnessing the most dangerous rise of the far-right since the 1930s. Some are already in the hands of semi-fascist or fascist demagogues: think Donald Trump in the US, Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Türkiye and Narendra Modi in India. (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) Others are facing a deeply worrying resurgence of far-right and fascist forces. These range from the unreconstructed neo-Nazis of the National Rally in France, to Alternative for Germany (AfD), Geert Wilders's hideous 'Party of Freedom' in the Netherlands, Chega in Portugal and Reform UK in the nations of the British state. Artists tend to be people of conscience. By and large, they are the type of people who choose to observe and respond to the world around them. Those who see art as a mere refuge from the world – rather than a crucial means of engaging with humanity – are in a small minority. 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As Shaarawi says: 'Art and theatre have always played a role in humanising narratives and in resisting oppression … It's more urgent than ever now to reach out and lift up our Palestinian friends and colleagues, at a time where they are facing so much censorship, harassment and violence. 'We would not have been able to organise [Welcome To The Fringe, Palestine] without the immense support and donated labour, resources and skills as well as monetary donations of various communities in Scotland … We cannot wait to share this brilliant programme of Palestinian performances in Portobello this August, and hope that the public joins us in welcoming Palestinian artists and celebrating Palestinian life!' The four-day programme is packed with fascinating events. Performance artist Fadi Murad's piece Flux In This Forgotten Farm (August 12) is certainly one of them. 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Posner and her co-artistic director, Charlotte Bennett, say of the play: 'We distinctly remember calling each other after we first read Consumed to share that we had both been howling with laughter, moved and shocked all within the first 10 pages. 'We love the unpredictability of this script, the metaphor that sits at the heart of the story and the way it centralises women's stories across four generations.' If Kelly's piece is a potential highlight of the Traverse programme, so, too, is Rift (July 31 to August 24), the latest play by acclaimed American dramatist Gabriel Jason Dean. Presented by New Jersey-based company Luna Stage and Richard Jordan Productions, in association with the Traverse, it brings together a politically progressive author with his brother, a convicted murderer and leading figure in a far-right, white supremacist organisation. 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A contemplation of the grief of a Deaf son whose recently deceased father never learned Sign Language, it is a beautiful and memorable theatre work. If you are taking kids to the festival, you might want to consider Pekku (ZOO Southside, August 1 to 9). Part of the Made In Scotland showcase, this piece by Fife-based Red Bridge Arts is aimed at children between the ages of three and six. 'A playful look at what happens when you want to be left alone and others have a different idea', Pekku promises to be another delightful show from the makers of the award-winning children's theatre works White and Stick By Me. From politics and economics on the grandest scale to the tragedy and comedy of everyday life, the festival programmes offer, as ever, a startlingly wide array of artworks. Now, more than ever, we need the Edinburgh programmes to remember their grand purpose.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Chloe Kelly had first date with husband at IKEA after simple act of kindness sparked love
Lioness star Chloe Kelly met her husband in passing when a small act of kindness sparked a connection - and the pair shared their first date at IKEA The Lionesses are poised to take on the world champs, Spain, in the UEFA Women's Euro Final 2025 - and Chloe Kelly's husband will likely be supporting her every step of the way through the big game. The final, which is taking place in Basel, Switzerland, comes after two nail-biting last-minute wins from the England Women's team in the quarter and semi finals. Chloe, 27, who secured England's win at the Euro 2022 tournament with the winning goal, has been with her husband Scott Moore for a long time - but when the pair first crossed paths, it was a small act of kindness from the star player that caught Scott's attention. Chloe Kelly admits 'I haven't bought a wedding anniversary card' amid Euro focus Michelle Agyemang's journey from ball girl to England hero with 'world at her feet' She was playing for Everton when she first met Scott - who was, at the time, a groundsman at the club, Hello reports. Chloe graciously held a door open for Scott at the club, and a connection quickly sparked. He is said to have later messaged her on Instagram and the pair arranged their very first date - a trip to IKEA. While the Swedish furniture retailer might not immediately seem like a romantic spot to go on a first date - although lots of people do swear by the meatballs - the shopping trip clearly worked its magic, and the couple have been together ever since. In 2023, Scott popped the big question to Chloe while they were on a trip to Finland, to see the Northern Lights - a much more traditionally romantic setting. Under the green skies of the aurora, Chloe didn't hesitate to agree to marry her long-time partner, and when she posted on Instagram about the proposal, she captioned the image: "The easiest YES. Here's to forever with you." Scott now works as a greenkeeper for a golf club, and while he generally stays out of the spotlight, he always attends his wife's important fixtures - making sure to cheer her on The pair tied the knot at Merrydale Manor in Cheshire in 2024, after being together for five years. Chloe wore a stunning, figure-hugging bridal gown by Galia Lahav - with a dramatic train offsetting the fitted style of dress that was embellished with intricate lace embroidery. "Creating Chloe's dress was a labour of love, capturing her vibrant spirit and timeless beauty," the designer, Sharon Sever, said, per The Sun. During the major tournament this year, Scott and Chloe's anniversary took place, but the footplayer admitted she had been so busy with the Lioness's campaign to take home the trophy again this year that celebrating one year as husband and wife had slipped her mind. "I haven't even got a card, to be honest," Chloe said, "I'm sure in the moment, I'll think of something nd get my mum to sort it."
