Phoebe Bridgers is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer whose emotional songwriting has made her one of the defining voices of indie rock.
Born in Pasadena, California, Phoebe grew up in a very creative household. Her mother worked in real estate and stand-up comedy, while her father was a film and TV set builder. She began playing guitar in her teenage years and attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she studied vocal music, jazz, and performed with local bands, developing her songwriting. Although she was accepted to Berklee College of Music, she dropped out after orientation to pursue a full-time musical career.
Her early EP Killer, first introduced her to audiences with her honest and confessional writing style. In 2017 she released Stranger in the Alps, which featured songs including “Funeral” and “Motion Sickness,” which helped establish her as an indie music rising star.
Her fame rose with the release of her album Punisher in 2020. The album received critical acclaim and earned four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Alternative Music Album, and Best Rock Performance for the song “Kyoto”. Phoebe also continued to collaborate with other artists such as Taylor Swift, SZA, Kid Cudi, MUNA, and The Killers.
In 2023, Phoebe reunited with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker to release the boygenius debut studio album The Record. It debuted at No. 1 in the UK, reached No. 4 in the Billboard 200, and became the first No. 1 album for all 3 members. At the 66th Grammy Awards, Phoebe was the most-awarded artist that night, winning four Grammys: three for The Record, and one for her collaboration with SZA on the song “Ghost in the Machine”. Aside from their music, boygenius has also been celebrated for embracing queer joy and visibility, using their performances and fame to support the LGBTQ community. In an interview with the Recording Academy, they discussed the importance of creating music that reflects their own experiences while also advocating for queer representation.
Phoebe has been very open about her bisexuality for years, explaining that she has dated girls since high school. In a profile interview for them, she reflected on coming out to her family when she was 15 and the challenges that followed, especially with her mother. She states that they have since made up, and now even her mom has her pronouns in her Instagram bio.
In that same interview, she said that her sexuality has been one part of her life that she has never felt compelled to hide, and discussed the importance of seeing bisexuality represented in media. She mentioned that letting her bisexuality exist alongside her music has resonated with her fans and seen her as an important source of bi representation.
Outside of her music, Phoebe has become a vocal advocate for LGBT rights, abortion access, and mental health awareness. She’s given concerts to raise funds for community organizations, voter participation, and LGBTQ rights. In an interview with Teen Vogue in 2022, she explained that she sees advocacy as an intertwined part of her work as an artist.
Through her music and public advocacy, Phoebe Bridgers has become one of the most recognizable indie bi musicians. Whether performing as a part of boygenius or releasing solo records, she has consistently demonstrated that being bi is just a part of regular life. Her willingness to be candid and discuss relationships, family life, and identity has made her work resonate with millions of listeners, while also providing meaningful representation for bi and queer folks alike.