Julien Baker and TORRES released their debut duet “Sugar in the Tank” is December, marking a new path forward for both artists. This new joint venture gives them the room to explore and share their country affections with their fans and with each other, using these traditional forms to speak on their shared experiences of growing up queer in the South. The track is a earnest reclamation of the genre’s often exclusionary spaces, draping banjo curlicues and pedal steer vibrations across honeyed vocal melodies that spin outward in all directions. It’s as welcome as a warm breeze in the Fall and as affectionate as the memory of your first kiss.
Today, they share the video for the track, a collaboration with the queer country dance party Stud Country. The clip features choreography by Stud Country’s co-founder Sean Monaghan and members of the Stud Country community.
“We were so excited to cast people from our community including Geo [Jedlicka] who has been dancing in NYC for three decades,” says Monaghan. “Having established artists like Julien and TORRES, who’ve actually been to our events, collaborate with us during this country revival is incredible.“
Julien Baker and TORRES share: “We were really honored that the Stud Country folks were willing to have fun with us and prepare this line dance for the song! Everyone involved is so talented and they were patient and sweet with us while we learned the moves. For us it’s particularly special to find someplace and some people to do cowboy shit with here in NYC.“
Watch the video below.
“Sugar in the Tank” is out now on Matador Records. Follow Julien Baker on Facebook, X, and Instagram — and keep up with TORRES on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
