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

LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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 Kr