Lucy Dacus confirmed she’s dating Boygenius bandmate Julien Baker after months of speculation about their relationship status.
Dacus, 29, opened up about their romance in an interview with The New Yorker published Monday, March 17. The “Ankles” singer explained that she felt their relationship was somewhat out in the open in the lyrics of her upcoming album, Forever Is a Feeling.
“It’s been interesting, because I want to protect what is precious in my life, but also to be honest, and make art that’s true,” she told the magazine. “I think maybe a part of it is just trusting that it’s not at risk. Maybe a healthier way to think about it is that it’s not actually fragile. These songs are about different people. But, you know, ‘Most Wanted Man in West Tennessee’ — what are you gonna do?” (Baker, also 29, was born and raised in Memphis.)
Fans of Boygenius — the supergroup made up of Baker, Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers — have speculated for months about the nature of Dacus and Baker’s relationship, but the New Yorker interview marked the first time either had spoken about it publicly.
Dacus told the outlet that Boygenius fans have mostly been respectful of the boundaries she’s set around her personal life, but she was still wary of sharing too much. “It only takes a handful to make your life feel like a really easily threatened thing,” she explained. “I’ve been practicing not reinforcing that narrative to myself.”
The Grammy winner went on to note that she’s only ever dated friends or professional collaborators. “How are you doing romance without friendship?” she quipped. “I can’t imagine. That feels so hollow. It makes me feel ill! Someone that’s not my friend? Are you serious? Almost every relationship I have been in, we’ve had some business or creative dealings. I don’t mean this just sexually, but it turns me on. To have your minds meet on something, and be, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you said what I couldn’t say. I love your mind.’”
While Forever Is a Feeling is due out Friday, March 28, Boygenius fans will have to wait much longer — and possibly forever — for new music from the band. Dacus hinted to The New Yorker that the trio is not planning on releasing more music after the massive success of 2023’s The Record.
“The decision to take time off came even before the record came out. We always said, ‘One year,’” she told the outlet. “Let’s protect our friendship, let’s protect our energy, let’s not have each other feel pressure to keep it going for the others. It was so much fun, and I think we ended at the perfect time.”
Baker, meanwhile, is set to release her collaborative album with Torres, Send a Prayer My Way, on Friday, April 18.
