Born Bartees Leon Cox Jr. in Ipswich, England to a military father and opera-singer mother Bartees had a peripatetic early childhood before eventually settling in Mustang, Oklahoma. Later, Bartees cut his teeth playing in hardcore bands in Washington D.C. and Brooklyn whilst working in the Barack Obama administration and (eventually) the environmental movement. After charting a path as a solo artist, Bartees Strange released two records in quick succession: an EP reimagining songs by The National (Say Goodbye To Pretty Boy, 2020) and his debut album proper Live Forever (2020), which was featured as Best New Music on Pitchfork and earned Strange a loyal cult following.
Support slots with Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Barnett, Lucy Dacus and Car Seat Headrest followed, as well as with his heroes The National, introducing his genre-traversing music to a new crop of dedicated fans.
Where Live Forever introduced the experiences and places that shaped Bartees Strange (Flagey, Brussels; Mustang, Oklahoma), Farm to Table zeros in on the people – specifically his family – and those closest to him on his journey so far. With his career firmly on the ascent, Farm to Table examines Bartees’ constantly shapeshifting relationship with life post-Live Forever. It also speaks to a deeper lore that says, don’t forget where you came from, and this album is why. Across 10 songs, Farm To Table sees Bartees celebrating the past, moving towards the future and fully appreciating the present.
“Working as a Black man in indie rock, he’s alive to the political dimensions of his stylistic choices, and the songs find subtle ways to exploit them.” – Pitchfork (8.0)
“Strange’s undeniable talent and versatility have resulted in one of 2022’s most audacious albums, one that whirls through ideas while exploding preconceptions.” – Rolling Stone (4.5/5)