On the surface, it doesn’t seem like these two artists should intersect. But backstage at The Tonight Show, Australian indie-rocker Courtney Barnett covered Americana icon Gillian Welch’s “Everything Is Free.”
However, this song is a perfect fit for Barnett, who calls 2001’s Time (The Revelator) one of the greatest albums ever written. Though in a different genre, the lyrics actually resemble how Barnett writes her own relatable material. Welch’s song, about a musician continuing her craft regardless of how upside-down the dollars get, is how I picture Barnett’s career unfolding back in Australia before catching lightning all over the world. Although Barnett’s shows are pretty rocking, this cover of “Everything is Free” reminds us of her acoustic and introspective side.
Check out more Gillian Welch covers here and more Courtney Barnett covers here.
