Introduction
Bartees Leon Cox Jr., (born January 30, 1989) known by his stage name Bartees Strange, is an English-born American musician. Cox was born in Ipswich, England, raised in Mustang, Oklahoma, and is now based in Washington D.C.
Early life
Cox was born in Ipswich, England, to a military father and opera-singer mother. The family moved from England to Germany, Greenland and various US states before settling in Mustang, Oklahoma,when he was aged 12. Before becoming a musician, Cox worked as the director of communications for a nonprofit environmental organization in Washington D.C.
Career
While living in Brooklyn, Cox was a member of post-hardcore band Stay Inside from 2016 to 2018. In late 2017, Cox released his first solo effort, the acoustic folk EP "Magic Boy" under the name Bartees & The Strange Fruit.
In March 2020, Cox released an EP of re-imagined covers of songs by The National, titled Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy, on Brassland. After being named an "Artist To Watch" by Stereogum, he released his debut solo LP, Live Forever, on October 2, 2020. Featuring a mix of hip hop, indie rock, and jazz music, the album was met with positive reception. Later that year, Cox participated in the 2020 Thursday Signals V2 live show, and continued to tour throughout 2021 and 2022, supporting artists such as Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Barnett, and Car Seat Headrest.
In 2022, Cox released his second album, Farm to Table. Following the album's release, he toured alongside artists such as The National, Japanese Breakfast, and Metric.
Personal life
Cox identifies as bisexual.
Discography
Studio albums
- Live Forever (2020) – Memory Music
- Farm to Table (2022) – 4AD
Extended plays
- Magic Boy (2017) (as Bartees & The Strange Fruit)
- Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy (2020) – Brassland
- Tisched Off (2022) – Sub Pop
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "About Today" | 2020 | Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy |
| "Lemonworld" | ||
| "Going Going" / "HAGS" | Non-album singles | |
| "The Geese of Beverly Road" / "Looking for Astronauts" | ||
| "Mustang" | Live Forever | |
| "Boomer" | ||
| "Kelly Rowland" | ||
| "The Pearl" (with Lorenzo Wolff) |
2021 | Non-album single |
| "Weights" | Live Forever (Deluxe) | |
| "Province" (with Eric Slick & OHMME) |
Non-album single | |
| "Heavy Heart" | 2022 | Farm to Table |
| "Cosigns" |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Plead Insanity" (Spring Silver featuring Bartees Strange and Sad13) |
2020 | Non-album singles |
| "Goldbrick Champion" (Broke Royals featuring Bartees Strange) |
- Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "It's Gold" | 2020 | Project Diem | Pluto |
| "Milky" | |||
| "Top of the World" | Dave Hause | Patty | |
| "Monsters" | 2021 | Hit Like a Girl | Heart Racer |
- Remixes
| Song | Year | Artist | Album | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Bone Skull" | 2021 | Glass Beach | alchemist rats beg bashful (remixes) | Bartees Strange Remix |
| "Smartest Man" (featuring Arlissa) |
Homeschool | Homeschool: Book I | Bartees Strange Remix | |
| "Pool" | Samia | The Baby Reimagined | Bartees Strange Version | |
| "Dreams" | Hannah Georgas | All That Emotion Versions | Bartees Strange Remix | |
| "Emergency Equipment & Exits" | Ganser | Look At The Sun | Bartees Strange Remix | |
| "Pool Hopping" | Illuminati Hotties | Non-album singles | Strange Pool Remix | |
| "Kyoto" | Phoebe Bridgers | Bartees Strange Remix |
Tours
Headlining
- 2021 Tour (2021)
Supporting
- Boygenius – The Tour (2023)
- Phoebe Bridgers – Reunion Tour (2021)
- Lucy Dacus – 2021 Tour (2021)
- Courtney Barnett – North American Tour (2021)
- Car Seat Headrest – North American Tour (2022)
- The National – 2022 Tour (2022)
- Metric – The Doomscroller Tour (2022)