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Lucy Dacus

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Lucy Dacus
Dacus performing in August 2022
Dacus performing in August 2022
Background information
Birth nameLucy Elizabeth Dacus[1]
Born (1995-05-02) May 2, 1995 (age 29)
Mechanicsville, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • tambourine
Years active2015–present
LabelsMatador
Member ofboygenius
Websitelucydacus.com

Lucy Elizabeth Dacus (/ˈdeɪkəs/ DAY-kəss;[2] born May 2, 1995) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Dacus first gained fame following the release of her debut album, No Burden (2016), which led to a deal with Matador Records. Historian, her second album, was released in 2018 to critical acclaim. Home Video, her third studio album, was released in 2021.

In addition to her solo work, Dacus is also a member of the indie supergroup Boygenius, with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers. The band has released one studio album and two EPs to critical acclaim and widespread touring. The band won 3 Grammy Awards in 2024, including Best Alternative Music Album. They also became the first all-female band to win Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance.

In October 2023, Rolling Stone named Dacus the 213th-greatest guitarist of all time, noting: "[her] guitar is as essential an instrument as her voice".[3]

Early life

[edit]

Dacus was adopted as an infant and grew up in Mechanicsville, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond.[4][5] She is of Uzbek and Irish descent.[6] Her adoptive mother is a professional pianist and music teacher, and her adoptive father is a graphic designer.[5][7] Dacus had an early interest in music, and bought her first guitar, an Ibanez, from Craigslist when she was in middle school.[4] After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governor's School in 2013,[7] she began studying film at Virginia Commonwealth University, but left to avoid student debt and the "feeling of being misunderstood" in her university program.[8][9] Prior to becoming a full-time musician, she was employed by Richmond Camera as an editor for children's school photos.[10] During this time, she wrote approximately 30 songs, nine of which would comprise the tracklist of No Burden.[8]

Career

[edit]

2012: Girls Back Home

[edit]

Dacus released the EP Girls Back Home on Bandcamp on August 31, 2012 when she was a senior in high school. The track list consists of seven songs: "Girls Back Home", "Finest Cursive", "Pretty Girl", "Lullaby", "Time Travel", "Black Lungs", and "Kiddie Pool". Like all her other projects, it includes production from Collin Pastore and Jacob Blizard. It was digitally available for a time, but Dacus took it down shortly before her debut album No Burden was released. In a Reddit AMA, she stated she took it down because she "didn’t want this EP to be somebody’s first impression of her". For years after its removal from Bandcamp, the songs were considered lost. However, internet user Lucyhistorian managed to salvage the entire track list. It is currently available in its entirety on YouTube, but no official label release exists.

2015–2018: No Burden and Historian

[edit]

Dacus first performed in New York City in March 2015.[11] Her first single, "I Don't Wanna Be Funny Anymore", premiered in November 2015. Her debut album No Burden was produced in Nashville by her hometown friends, Berklee College of Music graduate Collin Pastore and Oberlin Conservatory of Music graduate Jacob Blizard;[12][13] it was recorded at the request of Blizard for a school project.[8] The album was originally released digitally on CD, and on vinyl via Richmond's EggHunt Records on February 26, 2016.[12][13] Dacus was then signed to Matador Records, who re-released the album on September 9, 2016.[14][15][16] In the same year she performed at Lollapalooza, in Chicago's Grant Park and made her national television debut on CBS This Morning.[17] She recorded a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR the same weekend.[18] In October 2016 she played the London Calling festival in Amsterdam, as a replacement for The Duke Spirit, who had been forced to cancel.[19]

Dacus's second album, titled Historian, was released on March 2, 2018.[20] Like its predecessor, it was met with widespread critical acclaim. Writing for Pitchfork, Sasha Geffen praised its nuance and sensitivity: "It’s not an easy album to wear out. It lasts, and it should, given that so many of its lyrics pick at time, and the way time condenses around deep emotional attachments to other people."[21] Rolling Stone rated the album 4/5 stars,[22] as did NME.[23] Historian, like No Burden, was recorded in Nashville, at Trace Horse Studio, in a similar collaborative effort by Lucy Dacus, Jacob Blizard, and Collin Pastore.[24]

2018–present: Boygenius, 2019 EP, and Home Video

[edit]
Dacus performing at Neumos in Seattle in 2019

In 2018, Dacus, along with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, formed the supergroup Boygenius. In August, they released three songs from their self-titled debut EP, which was fully released on October 26, 2018.[25]

To coincide with Valentine's Day 2019, Dacus released a cover of "La Vie en rose", the first in a planned series of songs commemorating major holidays.[26]

Dacus released her third studio album Home Video on June 25, 2021.[27] She performed one of its singles, "Hot & Heavy", on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on April 13.[28] On November 10, Dacus released her single "Thumbs Again", a re-release of her song "Thumbs" with additional instrumentation, alongside the announcement of 2022 US tour dates.[29]

On February 2, 2022, Dacus released a single "Kissing Lessons", accompanied by a music video. [30] On March 8, 2023, Dacus released a music video for the song "Night Shift", directed by Jane Schoenbrun, for the fifth anniversary of Historian.[31] Boygenius' debut studio album The Record was released on March 31, 2023 and Dacus spent much of the year touring the album with the group, including an appearance at Coachella.[32][33][34] On February 1, 2024, Boygenius announced a hiatus.[35]

On October 8, 2024, Dacus was a surprise opener for a makeup Julien Baker show at New York City's Brooklyn Steel, where she performed an untitled new song on International Lesbian Day.[36]

Dacus performing with Boygenius in 2023

Activism

[edit]

After Texas's new abortion law went into effect on September 1, 2021, Dacus announced on Twitter that all the money she makes at her upcoming shows in Texas "will be going towards abortion funds." She also informed her fans to bring extra money to her Houston and San Antonio shows for the donation to the abortion funds.[37] During her Home Video Tour in July 2022, Dacus announced that she and her supporting act Camp Cope would be donating tips from the merchandise stand to the organization Fund Abortion Not Police.[38]

While performing with Boygenius at Coachella in April 2023, the band spoke in support of trans rights following bills proposed in states like Florida and Missouri.[39] At a later tour date in June 2023 in Tennessee, Dacus and her fellow band members performed in drag in protest of anti-drag legislation that state governor Bill Lee signed into law that was blocked in federal court.[40]

After former President Barack Obama included "Not Strong Enough" by boygenius on his annual summer playlist, Dacus quote tweeted him, saying "war criminal :(".[41][42][43]

Personal life

[edit]

Dacus was raised Christian but is no longer religious.[44] She identifies as queer.[45] Dacus lived in Richmond, Virginia until late 2019. As of October 2023, she resides in Los Angeles, having previously resided in Philadelphia.[4]

Discography

[edit]
Lucy Dacus discography
Studio albums3
EPs3
Singles20
Music videos8

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[46] 		US
Alt
[47] 		US
Folk
[48] 		US
Indie
[49] 		US
Rock
[50] 		UK
[51] 		UK
Indie
[52] 		UK
Amer.
[53]
No Burden
  • Released: February 26, 2016
  • Label: EggHunt, Matador
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming media
 — — — — ― ― ― ―
Historian
  • Released: March 2, 2018
  • Label: Matador
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 —[A] — 12 — ― ―[B] 10 9
Home Video
  • Released: June 25, 2021
  • Label: Matador
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 104 9 3 10 16 85 8 2

Extended plays

[edit]
Title EP details Peak chart positions
US
Heat
[56]
Girls Back Home
  • Released: August 31, 2012
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
 ―
Lucy Dacus on Audiotree Live
  • Released: April 20, 2016
  • Label: Audiotree Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 ―
2019
  • Released: November 8, 2019
  • Label: Matador
  • Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
 22
Spotify Singles
  • Released: July 20, 2022
  • Label: Matador
  • Format: streaming
 –

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA
[57] 		US
Rock
Airplay
[58] 		MEX
Airplay
[59]
"I Don't Wanna Be Funny Anymore" 2015 — — — No Burden
"Strange Torpedo" 2016 — — —
"Night Shift" 2017 — — — Historian
"Addictions" 2018 — — 48
"Next of Kin" — — —
"La Vie en Rose" 2019 — — — 2019
"My Mother & I" — — —
"Forever Half Mast" — — —
"Dancing in the Dark" — — —
"In the Air Tonight" — — —
"Last Christmas" — — —
"Fool's Gold" — — —
"Isabella"
(with Hamilton Leithauser) 		2020 — — — Non-album single
"Thumbs" 2021 — — — Home Video
"Hot & Heavy" 24 — —
"VBS" — — —
"Brando" 13 — —
"Going Going Gone" — — —
"Thumbs Again" — — — Non-album singles
"Kissing Lessons" 2022 20 50 —
"Home Again" / "It's Too Late" — — —

Other appearances

[edit]
Year Song Album Notes
2020 "Lips of an Angel" Save Stereogum: An '00s Covers Comp[60] Hinder cover

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Director
"I Don't Wanna Be Funny Anymore" 2016 Joseph McCormick & Henry Sho Kellam
"Addictions" 2018 Lucy Dacus
"Hot & Heavy" 2021 Lucy Dacus & Marin Leong
"VBS" Marin Leong
"Going Going Gone"
(Live at Spang) 		Jordan Rodericks
"Brando" Un­known
"Kissing Lessons" 2022 Mara Palena
"Night Shift" 2023 Jane Schoenbrun

Guest appearances

[edit]
Title Year Other artists Album
"Isabella" 2020 Hamilton Leithauser The Loves of Your Life
"Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris" Hayley Williams Petals for Armor
"Graceland Too" Phoebe Bridgers Punisher
"I Know the End"
"Lose This Number" Christian Lee Hutson Beginners
"Unforgivable"
"Get the Old Band Back Together"
"Single for the Summer"
"Favor" 2021 Julien Baker Little Oblivions

As part of Boygenius

[edit]

Tours

[edit]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref
2019 Libera Awards Best Breakthrough Artist/Release Historian Nominated [72]
2022 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist Home Video Nominated [73]
2024 Grammy Awards[a] Album of the Year the record Nominated [74]
Best Alternative Music Album Won
Record of the Year "Not Strong Enough" Nominated
Best Rock Song Won
Best Rock Performance Won
Best Alternative Music Performance "Cool About It" Nominated
Brit Awards[a] International Group boygenius Won [75]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Nominated as a member of boygenius.
  1. ^ Historian did not enter the Billboard 200 but did peak at number 20 on the Top Album Sales chart.[54]
  2. ^ Historian did not enter the UK Albums Chart but peaked at number 45 on the UK Album Sales chart.[55]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Songwriter/Composer: Dacus Lucy Elizabeth". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  2. ^ DeLuca, Dan (June 20, 2021). "Songwriter Lucy Dacus is now Philly's own. Lucky us". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Bengal, Rebecca (June 21, 2021). "Lucy Dacus Takes Confessional Songwriting to a New Level". The New York Times. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Regensdorf, Laura (October 26, 2021). "The Wisdom of Lucy Dacus, Body and Soul". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  6. ^ O'Toole, Lucy (June 24, 2021). "Lucy Dacus: "I've never taken music classes. I never thought I would do this. And then, suddenly, it was my career..."". Hot Press. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Baldwin, Brent (May 3, 2016). "From Maggie Walker to National Indie Darling, Richmond's Lucy Dacus Makes an Early Mark". Style Weekly. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Cochrane, Greg (March 14, 2018). "Lucy Dacus — A songwriter making sense of the most traumatic year of her life". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ^ Scott, Nate (June 23, 2016). "New Matador signing Lucy Dacus talks her startling debut LP (and why we all need to go to Croatia)". USA Today. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  10. ^ "Musician Lucy Dacus on being true to yourself". The Creative Independent. July 19, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  11. ^ Hughes, Hilary (September 13, 2016). "The On-the-Road Education of Lucy Dacus". The Record: Music News. NPR. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Langford, Hilary (February 16, 2016). "After Hype from Rolling Stone and NPR, Richmond Musician Lucy Dacus Keeps it Humble". styleweekly.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Murray, Robin (November 25, 2016). "In Conversation: Lucy Dacus". Clash. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  14. ^ "Lucy Dacus: No Burden". Allmusic. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  15. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (August 10, 2016). "Lucy Dacus is the Author of Her Own Story". MTV.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  16. ^ Berman, Judy (August 8, 2016). "Lucy Dacus On What It's Like to Have 20 Record Labels Fight Over You". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  17. ^ "Saturday Sessions: Lucy Dacus performs 'I Don't Wanna Be Funny Anymore'". CBS News. July 30, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  18. ^ Boilen, Bob (July 29, 2016). "Tiny Desk: Lucy Dacus". NPR.org. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  19. ^ "The Duke Spirit Moet Annuleren, Lucy Ducas Is De Vervanger". londoncalling.nl (in Dutch). October 26, 2016. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  20. ^ Waite, Kelsey J.; Gerardi, Matt; McLevy, Alex; Anthony, David; Erickson, Steve (March 2, 2018). "The Breeders, Camp Cope, and more albums to know about this week". avclub.com. AV Club. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  21. ^ Geffen, Sasha (March 6, 2018). "Lucy Dacus: Historian Album Review". Pitchfork.com.
  22. ^ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-lucy-dacus-turns-interior-drama-into-indie-rock-gold-on-historian-201599/
  23. ^ https://www.nme.com/reviews/album-review-lucy-dacus-historian-2247422
  24. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/arts/music/lucy-dacus-historian-interview.html
  25. ^ Rincón, Alessandra (August 21, 2018). "Julian Baker, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers Form Boygenius, Release Three Singles From EP: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  26. ^ Boilen, Bob (January 31, 2019). "Lucy Dacus Covers An Edith Piaf Classic And Pays Homage To Love". Npr.org. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  27. ^ "Lucy Dacus Announces Album and Tour, Shares Video for New Song "Hot & Heavy": Watch". Pitchfork.com. April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  28. ^ "Lucy Dacus Plays A Luminous "Hot & Heavy" On 'Colbert': Watch". Stereogum.com. April 14, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  29. ^ Leas, Ryan (November 10, 2021). "Lucy Dacus – "Thumbs Again"". Stereogum. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  30. ^ Rettig, James (February 2, 2022). "Lucy Dacus – "Kissing Lessons"". Stereogum. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  31. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (March 8, 2023). "Jane Schoenbrun Directs Jasmin Savoy Brown in Lucy Dacus 'Night Shift' Video — Watch". IndieWire. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Martoccio, Angie (January 19, 2023). "How boygenius Became the World's Most Exciting Supergroup". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  33. ^ Hussey, Allison (March 28, 2023). "Boygenius Announce 2023 North American Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  34. ^ Rode, Erin. "Coachella 2023: boygenius brings the feels during powerful, political Coachella set". The Desert Sun. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Strauss, Matthew (February 2, 2024). "Boygenius Announce Hiatus: "We're Going Away for the Foreseeable Future"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  36. ^ Richardson, Kalia (October 9, 2024). "Lucy Dacus Previews New Song During Julien Baker's Make-Up Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Mamo, Heran (September 2, 2021). "Lucy Dacus Says All Proceeds From Her Texas Concerts Will Go Toward Abortion Funds". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  38. ^ Cross, Alan (July 19, 2022). "Yet another check on Ottawa Bluesfest 2022. This is part one of a report on Day 7". A Journal of Musical Things. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  39. ^ Jones, Damian (April 16, 2023). "Boygenius say "trans lives matter" and "fuck Ron DeSantis" during Coachella 2023 set". NME.
  40. ^ Dailey, Hannah (June 26, 2023). "Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus & Julien Baker Wear Drag at Nashville Boygenius Show: 'F–k Bill Lee'". Billboard.
  41. ^ Dacus, Lucy [@lucydacus] (July 20, 2023). "war criminal :(" (Tweet). Retrieved July 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Rissman, Kelly (July 21, 2023). "Singer calls Barack Obama a 'war criminal' after he puts Boygenius song on playlist". The Independent.
  43. ^ Aniftos, Rania (July 21, 2023). "Lucy Dacus Calls Barack Obama a 'War Criminal' After Boygenius Made His Playlist". Billboard.
  44. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (May 12, 2021). "Lucy Dacus Remembers Everything". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  45. ^ Dacus, Lucy (July 28, 2021). "Musician Lucy Dacus Wonders If She Ever Really Came Out". Oprah Daily. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  46. ^ @billboardcharts (July 6, 2021). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2)..." (Tweet). Retrieved July 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "Alternative Albums - July 10, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  48. ^ Peak positions
  49. ^ "Independent Albums: week of July 10, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  50. ^ "Top Rock Albums - July 10, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  51. ^ "Lucy Dacus | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  52. ^ Peaks on the UK Independent Albums Chart:
  53. ^ Peaks on the UK Independent Albums Chart:
  54. ^ "Top Album Sales: Week of June 10, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  55. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  56. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: November 23, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  57. ^ Peaks on the Adult Alternative Songs chart:
  58. ^ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart - April 9, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  59. ^ "Mexico Ingles Airplay: April 14, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  60. ^ "Various - Save Stereogum: An '00s Covers Comp". Discogs. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  61. ^ Sacher, Andrew (September 6, 2016). "Lucy Dacus adds dates, playing Mercury Lounge after Car Seat Headrest tour". BrooklynVegan.
  62. ^ Sacher, Andrew (November 30, 2016). "Lucy Dacus lists her top 10 LPs of 2016, touring with Hamilton Leithauser". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  63. ^ Sacher, Andrew (December 12, 2017). "Lucy Dacus announces new album 'Historian' & tour, shares "Night Shift"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  64. ^ "North American Summer 2018 Tour Announcement". Facebook. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  65. ^ Reed, Ryan (December 10, 2018). "Lucy Dacus Plots 2019 Headlining US Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  66. ^ Shaffer, Claire (May 28, 2019). "Lucy Dacus Announces Massive North American Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  67. ^ "LUCY DACUS ANNOUNCES SPRING UK AND EUROPEAN TOUR". DIY. February 3, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  68. ^ Vacca, Bria (July 7, 2021). "Lucy Dacus announces North American tour amidst third studio album 'Home Video'". Melodic Magazine.
  69. ^ Minsker, Evan (November 10, 2021). "Lucy Dacus Announces 2022 Tour, Shares New Song "Thumbs Again": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  70. ^ Moore, Sam (June 15, 2021). "Lucy Dacus announces 2022 UK and European tour". NME. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  71. ^ Hussey, Allison (July 20, 2022). "Lucy Dacus Adds Tour Dates, Covers Cher's "Believe": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  72. ^ "A2IM Announces 2019 Libera Award Nominees". Broadway World. March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  73. ^ "The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". glaad. September 15, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  74. ^ Minsker, Evan (November 10, 2023). "Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  75. ^ "Brit Awards 2024: The compete list of winners and nominees". March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
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