Elles Bailey provides a meditative timestamp reflecting the isolation, uncertainty and worry prevalent amongst society throughout the outbreak of the pandemic, Shining In The Half Light is an album of self-realisation, but one that lets everyone share in its sense of realism and, ultimately, positivity. It’s a record inspired by those who spread love in a time of heartbreak, happiness in a time of fear, and connection in a time of loneliness. Shining In The Half Light sits at 10 tracks offering nothing short of a brazen, bold and bluesy disposition.
What can you tell us about the inspiration behind your third album “Shining In The Half Light”
It’s an autobiographical record, probably my most personal album to date but in a nutshell it is a record inspired by those who spread love in a time of heartbreak, happiness in a time of fear & connection in a time of loneliness. We haven’t all been in the same boat, we all have different stories and experiences of the last couple of years, however we have all been in the same storm, – I guess you could say this is my version of events.
Who helped out making this album.
This is a record full of collaborators, with the 10 songs featuring incredible cowrites from long term writing partnerships like Tamara Stewart, Will Edmunds, Joe WIlkins, Craig Lackey and Ash Tucker to first time collabs with Matt Owens, Martin Harley, Brett Boyett and Alex Maile.
I got to make the record in deepest darkest devon with rock producer Dan Weller. We worked with my touring band (Joe Wilkins, Jonny Henderson, Matthew Jones and Matthew Waer and actually recorded the record to tape, engineered by the skillful Pete Miles. It was mixed by my dear friend Steve Blackmon over in Nashville and mastered by Ryan Smith, again in Nashville.
What was your songwriting process like for the album. What images or scenes did you want to offer the listener?
I always write a shed ton of songs when I am writing for a record, I think for this one I wrote 40 tracks and then with Dan we just sat a shook the tree a little. I always want an album to tell a story and to make the listener feel uplifted and empowered.
What would you like new listeners to know about you and your music?
I’m all about taking the listener on a journey, and creating albums like my live sets. It’s a rollercoaster so buckle in and enjoy the ride.
If there was one lyric that you want listeners to hear the most, what would that be and why?
It’s the opening line from The Game ‘I’ve always danced to the beat of my own blues’ – I think that sums me up to a tee. I’m a grassroots artist and I run my own label Outlaw Music. I’ve turned down traditional record deals and I am never afraid to throw the rule book out of the window. It’s stressful at times but it sure is fun!
What has been the best piece of advice you’ve been given throughout your music career?
I was chatting with Mark Ede (Jo Harmans Manager), at the bar of a venue in Stroud back in 2016 after just watching Mike Mayfield and Jo and he said this to me which has stuck with me ever since. ‘There is no destination in this career, it’s a journey – so just enjoy the journey! ‘
PS – please don’t tell Mark I quoted him – he MAY get big headed!
Now with the record being available what’s next? Some live shows?
I am currently writing this in the tour bus, headed to the first of my acoustic record store shows. I’m doing six dates throughout release week, very up close and personal. We play Pie & Vinyl , Portsmouth (1pm, 25th February); HMV, Brighton (3pm, 26th Feb); Rough Trade, Bristol (6pm, 28th February); The Jacaranda Club, Liverpool (7pm, 1st March) and finally The Vinyl Whistle, Leeds (7pm, 2nd March). We have our only full band show this side of festival season at Omeara, London on March 8th. And then it’s festival time and I shall be out and about all summer. I am really looking forward to Cheltenham Jazz Fest, Headlining Upton Blues Fest (finally- It has been rescheduled two years in a row) and then heading out to Greece to join Joe Bonamassa on his Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea Cruise.
When seeking inspiration, who are some of the artists you listen to?
I love husband and wife duo Ida Mae, and Larkin Poe just blow my mind as do The Civil Wars. Brent Cobb, Amythyst Kiah and Tedeschi Trucks Band are always on my playlists, in fact I am listening to them right now I got to see three of my heroes at The Americana Awards 2019 at The Ryman in Nashville – It was such a beautiful night of music – Bonnie Raitt, John Prine and Mavis Staples all sharing the stage and I was only a couple metres away from them – It was emotional and then I got to go backstage and meet Mavis!!
Any fun facts or hidden talents you would like to share?
Its not often I get time to bake but I can make a mean chocolate chip cookie batch !!
Elles Bailey’s new album ‘Shining In The Half Light’ is out now.
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