For indie pop artist Bailey Baum, being anything but a singer was never an option. As a child, she took piano and singing lessons, performed for her family, and wrote plenty of songs. By the time she was a teenager, Bailey had performed in and around her hometown of Dallas, TX before moving out to LA to better achieve her dreams. Ever since, she has cranked out singles that have amassed over 7 million streams, made it onto notorious Spotify and Apple Music playlists, and has been compared to pop icons Lana Del Rey and BANKS. We had the chance to catch up with Bailey ahead of the release of her debut EP to find out more about the project, her passions, and what she makes of all that has happened so far.
Photo by Skylar Steinberg
Photo by Skylar SteinbergMelodic Mag: Your debut EP, Over It, is almost a month away from being released into the world! I read that it served as a way for you to navigate through your heartbreak at the time, so what was it like to voice those feelings and turn them into music?
Bailey Baum: This EP is the most vulnerable and real I’ve ever been. It’s so scary to be open to the world with your emotions and feelings, but the only way I know how to process how I feel is by turning it into music. Sharing my most personal feelings with the world is daunting – hoping that everyone perceives them in a positive way. However, I know this is something that so many people can relate to at any age. This EP helped me during a really difficult process of heartbreak and trying to heal. I just hope that my music can help other people get through similar situations and be a reminder for everyone that you are never alone in the ways that you feel. It’s okay to experience these emotions. It’s all part of the healing process.
MM: Do you have a favorite track on the EP?
BB: This is difficult because I feel like all of these songs are my babies, and I love them all so much. “Not Missing You,” though, is definitely very special to me and close to my heart because it was such a brutally honest reflection of some of my deepest emotions that I was scared to be open about and even admit to myself. This song also represents a turning point amidst all of those feelings, where I could finally be like all these things I’ve been through with that person were so hard, and I truly don’t miss them.
MM: When I listen to your earlier songs, I can hear the evolution of your sound and how it has grown. Would you say that you have tapped into the type of music that you want to make, or are you still exploring your sound?
BB: I think my music is always evolving. I never want to be stuck to one certain sound. In the earlier days of making music, I was so focused on making something that had a particular “sound,” but I believe a voice can tie anything together. I have evolved, but I think I’m constantly finding sounds I love and just creating music I love. Meeting other artists and creatives in my industry has had such a big influence on my own evolution, and I’m excited to tap into that more with all of the upcoming music I’m making. That’s truly one of the biggest blessings of being in a creative industry like this is that you can endlessly draw inspiration from so many different places and people, and there’s always so much room to grow and change.
Photo by Skylar Steinberg
Photo by Skylar SteinbergMM: You have been making music since you were a kid, and moved to LA to chase your dream of making it as a singer. Was it scary to leave your hometown? Did you have a backup plan just in case things didn’t work out?
BB: Leaving my hometown was a huge deal for me, but I knew in my gut it was the right decision, so it made the move less scary and more exciting. I grew up in a small town in Texas where a lot of people grow up and never even leave. A lot of people were surprised to see me go at such a young age, but I always knew that moving to LA would be a huge catalyst for making my dreams a reality.
I don’t believe in backup plans. If you have a backup plan, you give yourself an option to fail. I still have other things I’m passionate about of course, like anyone, but music is and has always been a #1 priority for me.
MM: What was it like the moment you found out you were getting signed to Next Wave/Ultra?
BB: We had been talking for a while when they offered the contract, so I felt really comfortable and happy to be officially working together. It was the culmination of so many years’ worth of hard work and emotions poured into making music my career that when they reached out and I knew that it was going to be the right fit for me – it was a huge step. I’m extremely thankful my team has turned into the people I call family now.
MM: Your songs have been streamed over 7 million times – how does someone even comprehend such an achievement?
BB: I still feel like I have a lot I want to achieve, so it feels like a step in the right direction, and I can’t believe that 7 million people have heard my music like that blows my mind, but I still hope to accomplish more and turn those listeners to fans.
Photo by Skylar Steinberg
Photo by Skylar SteinbergMM: Who are some artists that you would love to collaborate with in the future, or even go on tour with?
BB: I currently am obsessing over The Neighbourhood, and would love to work with them! I also would love to literally just be around Lana Del Rey or Kacey Musgraves! Learning from them would be a dream, especially since I draw so much inspiration from both of them, and have since the beginning. I have so many artists I hope to work with in the future, and I am working on some really cool collaboration opportunities for the music that will follow this EP!
MM: Based on your music videos and posts on social media, I can tell that you like to experiment with fashion and your overall aesthetic, so who are some of your style inspirations?
BB: I love fashion, and worked in it as a side job for some time. I think fashion and music go hand in hand, and have always been super important to me. I look up to people like Danielle Guizio and Devon Lee Carlson for inspiration, but I also love going thrifting and finding unique pieces, along with custom making clothes for projects.
MM: What advice have you been given on your journey so far, that you will be taking with you as you move forward with your music?
BB: I remember being told to not have a backup plan. Sounds crazy, but if you have something to fall back on, then you’re giving yourself somewhere to fall as an option. I truly think if you want something, go for it and don’t create an idea of failing. Obviously I have other passions, but I never consider them a backup plan!
MM: Do you have any final comments or shout-outs?
BB: Something that I stress to everyone is the importance of finding a personal passion. I’m so lucky that my personal passion is my career, but I know that’s not the case for everyone. Having a passion allows for an outlet in spite of the stress of everyday life and the monotony of mundane activities. You have to break out of that at some point. Being able to pour your heart and your emotions into something outside of that is such a beautiful and healthy thing, and it’s something that I wish for everyone. Music is my life, and I love getting to share that with the world.
Photo by Skylar Steinberg
Photo by Skylar SteinbergThank you so much for speaking with us, Bailey! We are so grateful that you get to share your music with the world, too, and are very much looking forward to your EP.
You can check out Bailey’s debut EP, Over It, when it drops on July 30.
