Bartees Strange

Bartees Leon Cox Jr., known professionally as Bartees Strange, was born in Ipswich, England, in 1989. His early life involved frequent relocations due to his military father and opera-singer mother, moving through Germany, Greenland, and various U.S. states before settling in Mustang, Oklahoma, at age 12. Prior to his full-time music career, Strange worked as the director of communications for a nonprofit environmental organization in Washington, D.C.

Strange’s musical journey began in Brooklyn, where he was a member of the post-hardcore band Stay Inside from 2016 to 2018. In 2017, he released his first solo effort, the acoustic folk EP *Magic Boy*, under the name Bartees & the Strange Fruit. A significant turning point came in March 2020 with the release of *Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy*, an EP featuring re-imagined covers of songs by The National on Brassland. This release, coupled with being named an “Artist to Watch” by Stereogum, preceded his debut full-length album, *Live Forever*, released on October 2, 2020. The album, which incorporated elements of hip hop, indie rock, and jazz, received positive critical reception. He subsequently toured extensively in 2021 and 2022, supporting various notable artists.

His career continued to progress with the release of his second album, *Farm to Table*, in 2022, which also garnered critical acclaim. In 2025, Strange further expanded his discography with the album *Horror*. His discography also includes live albums and numerous singles, both as a lead artist and featured artist, collaborating with other musicians and contributing to various productions.