The indie music scene took a sobering turn last week when Julien Baker announced the cancellation of her highly anticipated “Send a Prayer My Way” tour with Torres. The news hit especially hard given the duo’s recent success — their country album collaboration had barely had time to settle into fans’ playlists before the plug got pulled.
Baker, who’s been riding a remarkable wave of success lately (hello, triple Grammy wins with Boygenius), shared the news through Instagram on May 4. The post struck a familiar chord in an industry where the relentless grind of touring often collides head-on with personal well-being. Coming just months after Boygenius’s surprisingly emotional farewell show in L.A., the timing feels… well, complicated.
The Tennessee native’s been dealing with some health setbacks — there was that concussion that nixed her Ohio University speaking gig back in March. But honestly? The whole situation reads like a chapter from the ongoing story of artists finally saying “enough” to the music industry’s exhausting demands. (Remember when everyone thought post-pandemic touring would be more sustainable? Yeah, about that…)
Their album “Send a Prayer My Way” dropped on April 18, earning four stars from Rolling Stone and showcasing a fascinating creative detour for both artists. Torres — or Mackenzie Ruth Scott, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing — spilled the tea about the project’s origins during a March appearance on “The Daily Show.” Turns out, it all started with a text message. “Julien was the first person I thought of because she’s from Tennessee, I’m from Georgia,” Torres explained, making the collaboration sound as natural as sweet tea on a summer porch.
Baker’s journey hasn’t exactly been a straight line. From the raw vulnerability of “Sprained Ankle” in 2015 to becoming one-third of indie rock’s most talked-about supergroup, she’s carved out a space that’s uniquely hers. Those 2024 Grammy wins with Boygenius (best rock performance, best rock song, and best alternative music album, for those keeping score) seemed to signal peak career momentum.
But here’s the thing about momentum — sometimes it’s better to pump the brakes than crash. Baker’s always been refreshingly upfront about mental health struggles, weaving those threads through her music with unflinching honesty. While the specifics of her current situation remain private (and rightfully so), her decision to step back speaks volumes about prioritizing self-care in an industry that’s notorious for chewing up artists and spitting them out.
The venues might be quiet for now, but “Send a Prayer My Way” stands as a testament to what happens when two kindred spirits from neighboring states decide to shake things up. As the music industry stumbles through its post-pandemic identity crisis heading into 2025, maybe — just maybe — Baker’s pause will help reshape conversations about artist sustainability.
After all, sometimes the most powerful statement an artist can make is knowing when to step away from the spotlight.
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