In recent months, Julien Baker has been performing solo and introducing new material. She’s also contributed to other artists’ songs, including her guest appearance on Touché Amoré’s “Goodbye For Now,” and playing guitar on jasmine.4.t’s “Elephant,” which she co-produced with her boygenius collaborators. Moreover, she’ll be covering a Belle And Sebastian track on the upcoming TRAИƧA compilation alongside Calvin Lauber, SOAK, and Quinn Christopherson. Baker has also joined forces with Medium Build for a new song.
Medium Build is Nick Carpenter, a talented musician who divides his time between Nashville and Anchorage and has released several albums. He and Baker have known each other since their formative days in DIY bands, with Baker featuring on “Yoke,” a track from Medium Build’s forthcoming Marietta EP. This poignant song explores the struggles of growing up queer in the South, enriched by Baker’s ethereal backup harmonies. Here’s what Carpenter shared about Baker:
I first met Julien Baker outside a venue in Murfreesboro, Tennessee when she was just 17. She and her band, the Star Killers, were waiting to perform alongside my band and were unable to enter due to their age. I noticed her performance style—a Telecaster slung over her shoulder and a rainbow strap—and felt that something extraordinary was happening. Her band shared a bond of passion and camaraderie, creating emotionally charged music that resonated deeply.
Our friendship blossomed when the Star Killers invited us on our initial tour. I learned Julien’s story, marked by her deep faith intermixed with struggles of queerness and addiction. Coming from a similar evangelical background, I found a connection with her. She radiated authenticity, understanding, and love, which helped me reconcile my own beliefs. We inspired each other to create music that embraced honesty, no matter how painful.
When her debut solo album took off, while I was thrilled, it also stirred feelings of envy. Years later, after touring, I reached out to her to express my regret about those thoughts. Over the last decade, our journeys through faith and sobriety have intertwined, and I felt compelled to share a song that captured my evolving relationship with faith. Having Julien on this track is like sharing a vulnerable moment with a dear friend—reassuring and comforting in this isolating industry. Her friendship has been invaluable for me.
I love you, JB. Thank you for guiding me through so many challenges.
Julien Baker also shared her insights about Carpenter:
If you get to know Nick Carpenter (aka Medium Build), expect laughter mixed with introspective thoughts. He possesses a sincere curiosity for beauty and music, and his ability to mix humor with depth allows for a unique approach to songwriting. His work embraces the oddities of life, balancing earnest expression with levity. I hope you enjoy the brilliance of one of the most thoughtful and artistically gifted individuals I know, as I have.
Check out the track “Yoke” below.
The Marietta EP is set to release on November 15 via Slowplay/Island.
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