For the third year in a row The Unofficial Archivist is ‘connecting the dots’ of all the artists appearing in the 6th edition of “Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend”. We like to call it the Brandi Bubble Map. Includes links to all the performers websites.
As the Bramily understand – the artists performing in this event are connected and orbit around each others musical artistry and often, queer identity. Let’s take a look at the connections.
(note: this is not a wiki of everything these artists have ever done!, more like a ‘how are they all connected musically?’ overview.)
Featuring artists ordered by appearance at GJWW 6:
Thursday January 16th
Brandi Clark
3rd appearance at GJWW.
Brandi Carlile produced the 2023 self titled Brandy Clark album (and provided vocals on tracks.) The album was nominated for several Grammys and won Best Americana Performance : Brandy Clark ft. Brandi Carlile – for Dear Insecurity. The first appearance at GJWW for Brandi Clark, featured the premiere of this iconic song. Brandi Carlile was also producer of her Grammy nominated Same Devil in 2021. Brandy Clark was also a co-writer of the Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile song – A Beautiful Noise
Friday January 17th
Yasmin Williams
1st appearance at GJWW
This is the first time Yasmin Williams is appearing at GJWW. A composer and guitarist who has released a new album ‘Arcadia’ on Nonesuch Records. Read about Yasmin and her new album here.
Arroba Nat
1st appearance at GJWW
This is the first time Arroba Nat is appearing at GJWW. Arroba Nat is a rising Mexican singer songwriter. You can visit her website here.
Brittney Spencer
2nd appearance at GJWW (2023)
Brittney Spencer is a country music singer and songwriter. She has sung with Brandi Carlile in various forms several times. Brittney gained attention in 2020 when she did a cover of The Highwomen’s Crowded Table. She was nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2022 American Music Awards. She has often appeared in The Highwomen lineups and also appears on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album.
Brittney Spencer website is here.
Maren Morris
2nd appearance at GJWW (2023)
Maren Morris is a country singer based in Nashville and is one of the supergroup The Highwomen, along with Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby and Brandi Carlile. Brandi Carlile also sang on Maren Morris’s song Common from her album “Girl”. In 2024 Maren Morris, came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Only relevant, because, well. Here we are. 😉
Shania Twain
1st appearance at GJWW
Do we need to say anything about this icon? Except, welcome to the island of misfit toys.
Shania Twain website is here.
Saturday 18th Jan
Sistastrings
3rd time at GJWW
Monique and Chauntee Ross (Sistastrings) who originally joined GJWW with Allison Russell’s band and now are a permanent part of Brandi Carlile’s string section as well as frequent members of the Joni Jam. In 2023 they hired them as part of the Brandi Carlile touring band, and is producing their new album due out in 2025. Website is here.
Tish Melton
3rd appearance at GJWW
Tish Melton – this new young artist first performed at GJWW 4, and in 2024 released her new Brandi Carlile produced EP. Tish is the daughter of Glennon Doyle, a friend of the Carliles. Glennon is featured in one of the Looking Out Foundation events during the weekend of GJWW 6. Website is here.
Jenson McRae
1st appearance at GJWW
This is Jenson McRae’s first time at GJWW. A folk, pop, soul singer, Jenson has collaborated with past GJWW alumni Joy Olodukun. You can follower her on IG here. Jenson is a label mate with MUNA (another first time attendee of GJWW) at Dead Oceans Records.
Lucius
6th time at GJWW
One of the OG’s of GJWW!
Lucius are a four piece indie pop band with the core members being Jess Wolfe & Holly Laessig. Their 2021 album Second Nature was produced by Brandi Carlile. Lucius also provided backing vocals on the Brandi Carlile track “You and Me On The Rock” on the 2021 album In These Silent Days as well as supporting the band on a few dates during the 2022 tour. Website is here.
Lucius featured prominantly on vocals during Joni Mitchell’s 2022 return to the Newport Folk Festival and have joined again at further Joni Jam live performances including The Gorge and the The Hollywood Bowl. They also featured on “Tell her you don’t love her” on Brandy Clark’s album.
Lucius have traditionally hosted the infamous “hot tub time machine” pool party to close out GJWW and will do so again this year. (maybe? – wait and see).
MUNA
1st time at GJWW
MUNA is a trio indi pop band that is also part of the LGBTQI+ community. They are signed with Phoebe Bridgers Saddest Factory label – part of Dead Ocean records along with Jenson McRae who is also part of Dead Oceans. It’s all connected. Their website is here.
Sunday 19th Jan
The Marshgrass Mamas
1st time at GJWW
The Marshgrass Mamas have been stomping and performing together since 2001. (!). You can find out more about them here at their website.
The Carlile Family Band – (previously) Smalltown Strings
4th appearance at GJWW
After a massive couple of years of touring – a lot following around the Brandi Carlile tour in 2023, but also on their own in 2024, this band features the core members of Brother (Jay), Niece (Caroline) and Nephew (Jayjay). They’ve been playing together for several years, regularly joined by Phil & Tiffany Hanseroth’s daughter Josephine, and some of their younger siblings on occasion. The band renamed themselves in 2024, to The Carlile Family Band, and in early January 2025 released their first official EP – which can be streamed everywhere. Support them here.
Allison Ponthier
1st appearance at GJWW
Allison Ponthier is an indie – folk singer and released her 3rd EP in 2024, with Interscope records. In 2022 she toured with Jack Antinoff on the Bleachers tour as support. Allison is also part of the LGBTQI+ community. Visit the website.
Kristin Key
1st appearance at GJWW
The only comedian on the lineup this year, Kristin Key is a queer American comedian who had the viral lesbian song “I drive a Subaru”. Look it up. 🙂
At GJWW 6 There will also be several other non musical guests including :
We Can Do Hard Things Podcast – live record of Abby Wambach, Glennon Doyle, Amanda Doyle podcast.
ALOK Documentary screening with Q & A with Alex Hedison
Writing with Love with Jensen McRae and Lindsay Wheeler
A note on the Looking Out Foundation – the NFP of the band.
For the second time the Looking Out Foundation, will be at the GJWW hosting several events, including panel discussions and giveaways. They are partnering again with PSYDEY [See-Day], an NGO that works with rural and indigenous women in Hidalgo, Mexico. As well they’ve partnered with Propeller to raise money while giving away prizes. #makemusicmeanmore
