Singer-songwriter Elles Bailey recently released her new album, Beneath The Neon Glow, a 10-track collection blending British roots, Americana, and blues, produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari).
Bailey shares, “I might be new to some people, but I have been around for quite a long while. I’m not here for a flash-in-the-pan moment. I want a long-term career in music. I love what I do. I love that I get to take it around the world. So if I can continue to do that, and just play to larger audiences and continue to grow, that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
Beneath The Neon Glow, which currently sits at number 12 on the Official UK Album Charts, follows on the heels of Shining in the Half Light, which debuted at number one on the Official Blues Charts, number two on the Official Americana Charts, and number four on the Official Independent Charts.
With a list of awards as long as your arm and more than 266,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Bailey is presently on tour. Upcoming shows and tickets are available here.
Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with Elles Bailey to talk about Beneath The Neon Glow, her tone, and her creative process.
What three things can’t you live without?
Sounds very cliche but my lip moisturizer cuz I get really chapped lips and have done since I was like, 7, chocolate cuz I have a major sweet tooth, and my voice … and I’ve lost it a few times and when I do, I completely lose myself!
What inspired your new album, Beneath The Neon Glow?
This album was inspired by all the different kinds of love in my life. I don’t think I set out to write about love in the way that I did but it just happened, and it was only when I was listening to the album as a whole that I released just how much love had inspired it in a way that I haven’t really explored in other records.
With Beneath The Neon Glow what was your main focus? What did you really want to try and achieve with this album?
I really wanted to push myself both melodically and lyrically. To be authentic and honest with my lyrics but to see what I could do vocally. I loved my last record but it was a safe move for me melodically, and I didn’t really have to work too hard from a vocal perspective. This record I wanted to try and expand my range and be more creative melodically. I’m really proud of what we have created and how I have pushed my voice both higher and lower, I feel like I have got to know a whole new part of me.
How did you get started in music?
I don’t think I had a pivotal moment when I ‘started’. In music. I was always on the stage from a very young age. I did ballet, played piano and took singing lessons and I knew I wanted to either be in the west end or an artist. My dad was in a band, and I would try and get up on stage with him and have a sing! I am very glad I chose the path I did though. I love what I do, that I get to write, be creative, make albums and then tour them.
Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?
I am hugely influenced by American roots, blues, and rock n’ roll. The Band, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, but for this record I really allowed my love of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks to emerge in a way I haven’t on previous albums. I really stretched myself songwriting, drawing on influences like John Prine and Brandi Carlisle.
What kind of guitar do you play? What amps and pedals are you using?
So confession time…. I play guitar horribly however I do use it to write music. I like to tune it into open tunings and strum away. I have no idea what I am playing but I find that liberating. You’re not confined to what you think you should play…. You just play what sounds nice!
What is your definition of tone? And is your tone evolving?
My definition of tone has to be Joe Wilkins, I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Joe for ten years and he’s been integral to creating the sound of ‘Elles Bailey.’ He’s the most tasteful yet humble of guitar players and is incredibly creative. And as well as playing guitar on stage and on record with me, we have also written loads together too. And in terms of my tone evolving – yes, I think as artists it’s so important to keep growing, evolving, to not stand still creatively, to be inspired by new things.
What can you share about your creative process?
My creative process doesn’t really have any kind of pattern. I don’t have to be in a certain state of mind or be in a certain place or anything like that. I believe when writing the hardest part for me is ‘showing up’…. But If I just ‘show up’ I’ll always end up writing something and the more I do that, the more into the swing of things I get!
Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?
I love recording but I also love playing out live. Being creative in the studio is magical but there’s nothing quite like that feeling you get when the songs come alive in front of an audience, and the connection you get with the audience!
Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and start your music career all over, what would you do differently?
That’s a tricky question because I know that all my experiences, both good and bad have made me into the artists that I am today. I’ve made all of the mistakes in the book but again I think that’s ok, every moment and mistake is a learning curve isn’t it. It’s all part of the story! I’ve met a lot of amazing people in this journey but also a few sharks too, and with every dalliance I have had with the medicine man – I’ve managed to get a song or two out of them!!
What is your definition of success?
For me personally, for my career I think of success in two sections, my creative successes and professional successes. There are goals that I aim for as a professional musician (a sold-out tour perhaps, or a great slot at a festival I have aimed for) but then there’s also those creative goals I have as well. Like stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to push myself like I have with ‘Beneath The Neon Glow.’ For me that feels like a creative success. I guess it’s really important to remember that as you grow as a artist those goals move and change, it’s a hard yet beautiful musical journey , and it’s so important to remember where you have been, believe that you can go where you want to go and most importantly – to enjoy the ride!
What’s next for Elles Bailey?
It’s time to take this new album on the road. I am currently writing this as I am sitting in the van on route to our first show. I am playing in the UK and Netherlands for this run, then next year we have announced dates in Europe too but there’s a lot more to come. I am excited for what the future holds and to see where this album takes me.
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