A CONVERSATION WITH… ELLES BAILEY
Elles Bailey is a force to be reckoned with due to her unmatched resilience. Alex had a chat with her following the release of her album, Shining In The Half Light.
YOUR DEDICATION FOR MUSIC IS TRULY UNMATCHED - WORKING WHILST IN THE HOSPITAL, LISTENING TO MIXES WHILE GIVING BIRTH, AND DECIDING TO RELEASE YOUR RECORD INDEPENDENTLY EVEN WITH A RECORD DEAL OFFER. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO INDEPENDENT RATHER THAN WITH A LABEL?
Despite actively looking for a label for this album, when the time actually came I just wasn't ready to let it go. This record was so entwined with me becoming a mum and in the end it felt like the right thing to do to release it myself. I am very proud of this indie journey and humbled how my fans have supported me. They are the best!
YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM AND SUCCESS TO CHAMPION FOR OTHER WOMEN IN MUSIC. CAN YOU GO A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DETAIL ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I love to champion new artists especially women in music so and will always try and bring fabulous females on tour with me. I had the pleasure of having Demi Marriner and Lady Nade opening for me on select shows on my last UK tour as well as the fabulous Simeon Hammond Dallas at my album launch in London. I have also been involved in radio over the past couple of years including presenting on Planet Rock and Feedback Radio. When compiling my playlists I always try to have at least a 50/50 gender split, to be as diverse with my choices as possible and to raise lots of different voices. The more colourful the threads, the more beautiful the tapestry.
HOW WAS YOUR RECORD STORE TOUR? HOW DID THE DECISION COME ALONG TO ONLY HAVE ONE FULL BAND PERFORMANCE? WAS IT INFLUENCED BY THE PANDEMIC, BEING A NEW MUM OR A COMBINATION OF OTHER THINGS TOO?
The record store tour was wonderful. It was great to strip the songs back to their roots just voice and guitar and have these beautiful intimate shows, all up close and personable. The pandemic played a big part in our choice not to do a big tour and only one full band show (which we didn't want to sell at full capacity!) But I had also just completed an 18 date tour that ended on the 11th December, these were all rearranged dates, so we had already done a ‘preview of the album’ tour. Slightly arse backwards, however trying to navigate the live music industry post lockdowns, all rules about not playing new music before it’s released went out of the window!
FOR ANY OTHER PARENTS/EXPECTING PARENTS LOOKING TO GO INTO MUSIC, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW? ANY TIPS OR TRICKS?
Get as many folks involved in your bubba’s life as possible and accept as much help as you can get. I have only been able to do this smoothly because I have had an incredible support bubble looking after Jasper (and me!) whilst I'm away on tour/ doing interviews/ releasing music!!
ANYTHING UPCOMING YOU CAN SHARE WITH YOUR FANS?
I’m back on the road from May playing the length and breadth of the country and going into Europe too. I’m looking forward to taking these songs out there and playing festival season too! It's been a long while since we had a good long honest festival season ! I'm ready to get muddy in a field y'all and tell some stories and stomp some blues.
IF YOU COULD TELL ANYTHING TO YOURSELF IN THAT HOSPITAL BED, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW?
Don’t also renovate the house in a pandemic as well as having a baby, going on tour and self releasing an album!! We are still not in our house and it has been the most stress I have ever encountered…. That being said, we are close to moving in now so there is hope on the horizon and I am looking forward to finding my ripped jean collection which I put into storage 16 months ago and haven't seen since then!