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H.E.R: Staying True to Musical Roots

November 24, 2024

In a world of fast-paced trends and fleeting fame, H.E.R. stands as a powerful example of staying true to one’s musical roots while still capturing the hearts of modern audiences. Born Gabriella...

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Cynthia Erivo: A Journey of Talent, Resilience, and Advocacy

November 22, 2024

Cynthia Erivo captured the hearts of Broadway audiences with her extraordinary portrayal of Celie in the 2015 revival of *The Color Purple*. Her groundbreaking performance earned her the 2016 Tony...

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The Unstoppable Rhythm of Chris Brown: Music and Dance as Art Forms

November 22, 2024

As an artist who can mix music and dance into one continuous artistic experience, no one is brighter than Chris Brown. Chris Brown has been in the game for close to 20 years and he has established...

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Kim Deal’s Long-Awaited Solo Album ‘Nobody Loves You More’ Was Worth the Wait

November 22, 2024

Kim Deal, a name synonymous with alternative rock royalty, has finally graced fans with her first-ever solo album, Nobody Loves You More. After decades of contributing to groundbreaking bands like...

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Gracie Abrams: A Rising Star

November 22, 2024

In the vast sea of emerging pop artists, few have captured hearts as tenderly and authentically as Gracie Abrams. Known for her confessional lyrics, understated sound, and deeply personal...

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Dua Lipa: Reinventing Pop with a Modern Twist

November 22, 2024

In a music landscape that often sees trends come and go, Dua Lipa has emerged as a true innovator, reshaping the pop genre with her unique blend of retro and modern influences. From her self-titled...

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Lola Young’s Rise to Global Fame and Collaboration with Tyler, The Creator

November 22, 2024

Lola Young is carving out her place in the global music scene, and her recent collaboration with Tyler, the Creator is solidifying her status as one of the most exciting voices of her generation...

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GloRilla’s ‘TGIF’: The Ultimate Anthem for Weekend Vibes and Empowerment

November 22, 2024

GloRilla's "TGIF" has emerged as a standout track in 2024, capturing the essence of weekend liberation and solidifying her presence in the hip-hop scene. Released on June 21, 2024, as the lead...

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How Drake Defined Summer 2022 with his House Album “Honestly, Nevermind”.

November 22, 2024

When Drake dropped "Honestly, Nevermind" in June 2022, it sent ripples through the music industry. Known for blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop, the Toronto-born artist turned heads with a sharp left...

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Ariana Grande: Redefining Pop Stardom in a Changing Musical Landscape

November 22, 2024

In 2018, Ariana Grande was the sole female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo act with her hit *“thank u, next.”* While Beyoncé, Camila Cabello, and Cardi B also reached No. 1 that year...

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Gracie Abrams: Redefining Pop Music with Vulnerability and Depth

November 22, 2024

In an era where the music industry often leans toward commercialized hits and polished perfection, Gracie Abrams emerges as a beacon of authenticity. Her unique approach to pop music, rooted in raw...

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Why Every Aspiring Music Creator Should Experience Coachella 2024

January 22, 2024

Coachella isn’t just a festival—it’s a rite of passage for music lovers and creators alike. Each year, it transforms the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, into a world-class stage for global...

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How Phoebe Bridgers Found Her Voice: The Albums That Shaped a Modern Indie Icon

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Phoebe Bridgers has become a defining voice in indie music, seamlessly blending raw vulnerability with hauntingly beautiful soundscapes. Whether she’s performing solo in her now-iconic skeleton costume or collaborating with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker in the supergroup Boygenius, Bridgers channels her honest experiences of loneliness, love, and self-discovery into every note. Her deeply personal approach to music has inspired a generation, especially young women, many of whom have been inspired to pick up a guitar for the first time.  

Bridgers may be a leading figure in today’s “sad girl indie” movement, but her path was paved by the artists she grew up listening to. Among these influences, Joni Mitchell stands out as a beacon. In an interview with *Records In My Life*, Bridgers revealed that Mitchell’s 1971 masterpiece, *Blue*, inspired her to start making music at the tender age of 11.  

Mitchell’s influence is unmistakable in Bridgers’ catalogue. Mitchell’s delicate, folk-tinged guitar tones and confessional lyrics resonate throughout Bridgers’ own work, showing how the original "sad girl" folk legend set the stage for the modern wave of women wielding guitars to tell their stories.  

A Childhood Soundtracked by Classics  

Beyond Mitchell, Bridgers’ musical foundation was largely shaped by the records her parents played during her childhood. She cites *For Everyman* by Jackson Browne as another key influence, along with the works of Neil Young and Tom Waits.  

“I had pretty much every Neil Young album, Tom Waits album—just kind of what my parents were listening to,” Bridgers shared. Young, in particular, left a lasting impression. Known for his genre-blending style and emotionally resonant lyrics, his influence can be heard in Bridgers’ intimate, genre-defying approach to songwriting.  

In fact, Neil Young provided Bridgers with her first real concert experience. “My first real concert was Neil Young,” she recalled in an interview with *Under the Radar*. “I can’t remember how old I was. I’d probably been to concerts before, but not having been a fan first. [At home, there was] lots of Neil Young. Lots of Laurel Canyon music. Lots of Van Morrison. I’d seen *The Last Waltz* about 1,000 times before I was a functioning adult.”  

Discovering Her Own Taste  

Like many young music fans, Bridgers initially leaned on her parents’ tastes before forging her own path. It wasn’t until high school that she began exploring more contemporary genres. “It kind of went backwards,” she said, reflecting on her teenage years. “In high school, I was like, ‘Oh wait, pop-punk and emo are a thing. That’s crazy.’ I totally missed out on my age group’s music.”  

Bridgers’ discovery of these genres added new layers to her sound, blending the intimate storytelling of her folk influences with the raw emotion and edge of her high school favorites.  

The Album Every New Listener Should Hear  

Though she doesn’t cite it as a direct influence on her own music, Bridgers believes that The Beatles’ *Rubber Soul* is the ultimate starting point for any budding music fan. “I think that’s a great introduction-to-everything record,” she said. “If you have no preconceived notions of music, that’s probably a good introduction.”  

Bridgers’ Legacy  

With her ethereal vocals, tender lyrics, and haunting guitar-driven soundscapes, Bridgers has successfully synthesized her influences into a style that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern. Her music serves as a bridge between the greats she grew up admiring and a new generation of fans inspired by her honest, deeply human approach to storytelling.  

The Albums That Inspired Phoebe Bridgers

1. *Blue* by Joni Mitchell  

2. *For Everyman* by Jackson Browne  

3. The works of Neil Young  

4. The works of Tom Waits  

5. *Rubber Soul* by The Beatles (an essential recommendation, though not a direct influence)  

These records not only shaped Bridgers’ artistic journey but continue to influence her as she carves out her own place in the history of modern music.