Q&A: How the band Big Thief transformed into a trio and reimagined their sound

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2025 Invision

James Krivchenia, from left, Buck Meek, and Adrianne Lenker of the band Big Thief pose for a portrait on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES – When asked where she lives, Big Thief lead vocalist Adrianne Lenker will tell you “the forests.”

The Grammy-nominated writer drifts between the Northeast, Minnesota and Texas, like a folk-rock musician of another era.

But as the band was splintering last year, she hunkered down with them in upstate New York. Bassist Max Oleartchik left, and Big Thief needed to imagine their shared future as a trio. The bandmembers are cryptic, even now, about the split, citing “interpersonal reasons" and sidestepping speculation that's circulated online.

“Let me be incomprehensible,” Lenker