INFORMATION
| Artist Birtday : | 09/07/1991(Age 33) |
| Born In : | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) : | Artist, Guitarist and Songwriter |
| Genres : | Indie folk |
| Web Site : | adriannelenker.com |
Adrianne Lenker: Adrianne Elizabeth Lenker is an American musician, born on July 9, 1991, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is widely recognized as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter for the indie folk band Big Thief, and she has also established herself as a solo artist.
Early Life: Lenker’s early years were marked by a transient lifestyle. She was born in Indianapolis and spent her early childhood in a Christian cult until the age of four. Her family moved frequently, living in various places in Minnesota and briefly in Santa Cruz, California. She discovered her passion for music early on, writing her first song at eight and recording her first album at thirteen. Lenker also excelled in martial arts, becoming the state karate champion for three consecutive years.
Education: After dropping out of high school in Santa Cruz and returning to Plymouth, Minnesota, Lenker earned her GED at sixteen. She later attended the Berklee College of Music on a scholarship provided by Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Musical Career: Lenker’s musical journey began in earnest with the release of her first solo album, “Stages of the Sun,” at the age of fourteen. She continued to develop her craft, releasing her second solo album, “Hours Were the Birds,” in 2014. That same year, she collaborated with future bandmate Buck Meek on the LP records “a-sides” and “b-sides.”
In 2015, Lenker formed Big Thief with Meek, Max Oleartchik, and James Krivchenia. The band’s debut album came out in 2016, and they have since released four more albums and toured extensively. As a solo artist, Lenker released “Abysskiss” in 2018, with two of its songs later reappearing in Big Thief’s album “U.F.O.F.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lenker wrote and recorded two albums, “Songs” and “Instrumentals,” which were released in 2020. These works showcased a more acoustic sound and traditional folk songwriting. In January 2024, she partnered with School of Song to teach a course on songwriting, focusing on guitar techniques and lyrical creativity.
