Julien Baker Surprises SXSW with System of a Down's 'Toxicity' Cover Featuring Jasmine.4.t
Curious about Julian Baker’s take on heavy music? The unexpected performance of ‘Toxicity’ revealed a new dimension to her artistry.
Julien Baker surprised SXSW audiences by joining 
Jasmine.4.t’ mid-set for a cover of System of a Down’s Toxicity. They already once collaborated on the 
boygenius-produced Skin on Skin, and Jasmine was also the first UK artist signed to 
Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label.
Meanwhile, Baker is about to drop Send a Prayer My Way—her first full-fledged country album—on April 18, 2025, in partnership with Torres. Early singles Sugar in the Tank and Sylvia hint at a raw, storytelling style that Baker calls “more militant” about authenticity than punk.
Torres acknowledges the “queer country” label but insists it’s just country at heart. With a U.S. tour beginning at the Big Ears Festival, Baker continues her evolution from indie rock standout to alt-country pioneer—proving that strong songwriting transcends genre.
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