bathtub cig

bathtub cig is the intimate depression pop project of Hilary James. Born in a Minneapolis bedroom during the spring of 2017, it is an honest attempt at coping with her long struggle with mental health. She is joined by Dave Power on drums, Skyler Nowiski on bass, and Adelyn Strei on guitar and harmony. Their 2018 debut EP, Old Light, draws comparisons to a synth-pop version of Frankie Cosmo with raw lyrics.

2021 EP bed is both a dream-like and hazy musing on quarantine as well as a heartbreaking attempt to cope with grief. In a departure from James’ first full-band EP, Old Light, this new release is a stripped-down solo voyage. Hilary is joined by Addie Strei (Adelyn Rose) on clarinet, flute, and bass to create beautiful textures to balance out the loneliness of the electric guitar.

New single “therapy” is out now from their first full-length record, Night Blindness, due out 2/2/22.