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

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 croons on the new track “Incomprehensible,” as if in response. Her bandmates are easier to pin down: guitarist Buck Meek lives in the Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles County, and drummer James Krivchenia lives in Brooklyn, New York.

For the album “Double Infinity,” Lenker brought in a list of over a hundred songs to whittle down to nine tracks. The resulting sound is as spirited and big-hearted as the band’s early days, but thrums with new voices, experimental flourishes and even a zither. Throughout, Lenker grounds floaty, rapturous verses with her signature, warm vocals and pithy aphorisms, like an oracle who transmutes pain into wisdom.

“We dream our dreams together/Even without laying in the same bed,” Lenker sings on “Los Angeles,” a track that some will interpret to be about her relationship with Meek. The bandmates were once married; after they separated, Meek took a break from touring. Then Lenker came out. Since they’ve reunited in the band, the two regard each other as “deep friends.”

The group talked to The Associated Press about how they became a trio, worked with new collaborators and reimagined their sound on “Double Infinity,” out Friday.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.