We got to talk with Bailey Bryan, the retro-funk 90's hip-hop queen, and it went a little something like this...
How did you get your start in music?
All I’ve ever wanted to do is sing, write and perform! There’s not a time in my life that I can remember not seeing myself as an artist. But I started professionally at the age of 15 by connecting with a family friend who started a publishing company in nashville.
Where are you from/ has it influenced your music at all?
I’m from Washington state! The Pacific North West, a small town called Sequim. I think it has definitely influenced my music a bit in the way that there wasn’t a ton of expectation as far as what I should be listening to.. I had access to a lot. It’s a little farm town, so country music was prevalent. But you could drive 2 hours and be in Seattle where the culture has been rock and grunge for so long, but there’s also a really incredible budding hip hop scene that I got really into while I was in high school, my friends and I would make trips into the city to see shows and do open mics whenever we could. I’ve definitely touched on all of these genres through out the music I’ve released.
Tell us the story behind your new song and video?
MF was inspired by an actual, super shitty break up that I went thru at the beginning of 2021!!! The person I was with basically changed their mind about what he wanted and didn’t give me a lot of clarity or closure, and it hurt a lot. I channeled that hurt and anger into this song.
Golden and I sort of collaborated on the idea for the video, we wanted to capture the emotion behind the song- that feeling of confusion and betrayal, but do it in a fun and sort of epic way. We both loved the concept of using a “heist” with a twist ending to showcase that.. My super hot gang of criminal ladies and I break and enter into his big old fashioned mansion and rob him and tie up his security guards. You find out at the end of the video that we used to be together, and it’s like we were singing to eachother the whole time.. It was such a fun story to tell.
How was it working with 24kGoldn?
It was easy! He has an amazing energy and really cares about what he does. I feel like his verse brought a whole new dynamic to the song, and we had a great time on set.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a Saturday?
I like to spend time outside if it’s nice out!! My favorite weekend is a weekend with friends, nature and no concrete plans… And probably going out and dancing later on. A perfect Saturday for me is a slow easy day a really fun late night.
What artists influence your sound?
So many!!! I don’t put a ton of thought into my influences when I’m writing to be honest, it’s more subconscious what different sounds and chords bring out of me and then I hear it later and know exactly where it came from… As far as current influences go, i think sza and drake are probably my biggest melodic influences, but lately I’ve been really drawn to more retro-pop production like dua lipa type stuff. Combining those vibes has really helped shape an authentic sound for my upcoming music… Aside from that I think most things I do are rooted in 90’s RnB.. I always come back to Brandy, Lauryn Hill, TLC… But I cut my teeth as a writer in Nashville, working with people who have top lined for Taylor Swift and Tim Mgraw, so while that’s not really what I listen to day to day, I think that sort of lyricism will always be an influence for me.
Do you have any pre show rituals?
I usually just need like 20 minutes of quiet to write on my set list… I just write down the things I want to say to the crowd, moments where I want to stop and drink water etc.. it becomes the same thing every night on tour to where I have it memorized but I still write it all down to remind myself I’m prepared. Besides that it’s just vocal warm ups and prayer!
What is one album that changed your life?
Sza’s CTRL album. I’ve never heard lyricism so abstract and so personal.. Melodie’s and and tone and harmonies so strange and yet I can’t get them out of my head. Sza created her own lane with that album and it’s inspired me to strive do the same with my music.
What are you looking forward to most when going on tour this May?
Playing all this new music I have lined up!! I might just have another song coming out before we hit the road, at least that’s the hope. And I’m really excited to play all of it for Golden’s fans, I can tell they’re really ride or die for him and they’ve shown me so much love since we put out “MF”.. I’m just excited to show it right back!
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