Bailey Baum
It’s been a year since I last interviewed Bailey Baum and I’ve always loved her voice and her unique refreshing sound. She recently released her new single as an independent artist and I’m super proud to feature her for this new beginning. “Jaded” is the perfect summer pop record. Everything about this record is brilliant. From Bailey’s mesmerizing vocals to those captivating melodies - to the amazing production.
Bailey Baum is back with a banger that definitely deserves more love and attention. I’m super excited to hear more. Congrats Bailey !
“Jaded” is now available everywhere !
Photo credit: @averagecowgirl
Hi Bailey! How are you? What have you been up to since our first interview?
Wow - it’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we’ve chatted! I’ve been really focused on creating new music and figuring out how I want my sound to evolve into a more upbeat style. I’ve been having so much fun in my day-to-day life with my amazing group of friends and I think that started to shine through in the songs I was writing in the studio. A lot of the work I’ve released to date is pretty chill and I am super proud of those songs, but it’s been so amazing to challenge myself to make tracks that are perfect for dancing around your room. I’m really excited for everyone to hear my new stuff.
"Jaded" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
"Jaded" started off as a simple Notes app entry when I was reflecting on things I loved becoming tarnished by being tied to specific memories. The line “you ruined all my favorites” effortlessly came to mind and we just kept building off of that idea. I wanted to capture how it feels when you go to one of your favorite spots with someone or send them a song you have on repeat and how your experience with that person can then impact your feelings about things you once loved. From then on when you randomly hear that song or watch that movie - it’s as if that person is tethered to something that once was solely yours, and now you’re forever thinking about them.
Could you describe the songwriting/production for this song? Who helped you create it? When did you start working on it?
I made this song with a few incredibly talented friends - Abigail Calahan, Cameron Mitchell and Chad Copelin. I started the writing process with Abby and Cameron during a trip I took to Nashville back in January. I then worked with Chad for some extra production and final touches later in the summer.
What did you feel when writing this song?
It was so exciting to be creating something that felt so fun and different from my previous songs. Getting to collaborate with friends made the process even more special. It all came together so quickly and easily - it just felt natural and that made me feel really happy during the entire princess which I think is conveyed through all of my new music coming up.
What made you want to release "Jaded" as a single?
I love how “Jaded” still feels very much in sync with the laid back vibe of my previous work, but it has a new distinct and upbeat sound that will help build the bridge to transition into my next few singles. I feel it marries the foundation of the sound I’ve created while also showcasing where I’m going.
What's your goal for this single?
When it comes to writing and releasing music, my goal has always remained the same. I want people to hear my song and feel their own personal connection to the lyrics. Music is such a powerful tool to help people feel like they can relate to a certain experience or feeling. If you look at all of my favorite musicians, you’ll see a culmination of songwriters that are extremely gifted at making you feel something, and that’s what I strive for as an artist. Whether that feeling is relating to how it feels to finally be over someone, or the high of just having a fun night dancing all your problems away with your friends - I hope listeners can hear a piece of their story in my songs.
You are releasing music as an independent artist again - how does it feel?
I feel inspired and empowered. There’s always a certain level of fear that comes along with pursuing something on your own, but that complete ownership of the process and total control of when and how I share my work feels very authentic to what I am trying to accomplish at this point in my career. I definitely believe there are perks to both sides, but I am happy with where I am and proud of all of the work I’ve put in to get here!
What is it like to be a woman in the music industry?
While I think a lot of progress has been made, even just within the past seven or so years that I have been making music, there is still a lot of work to be done for women to have proper representation in this industry. It is such a male-dominated space that it can be challenging to find women that you’d like to collaborate with, but I have been lucky to work alongside powerhouse female artists and mentors. There’s so many rooms I have to step into that are primarily full of men which can feel intimidating or daunting at times, but I’ve been fortunate with my experience and always remind myself to own my opinions and ideas. I think every woman’s experience is different, but I hope that other women can come across supportive collaborators like I have.
What biggest lessons have you learned since the release of your EP Over It?
I think I have learned to really let myself have fun with the writing process and allow myself to explore new sounds, new artistic choices and new subject matter. Over It was such a personal project. I am really proud of that EP and learned so much about myself, both personally and as a creator, throughout the writing and subsequent releases. Having made that, I felt like I had room to roam with my new singles. I am excited for listeners to notice the shift in these upcoming songs, it feels like I am sharing the more bold side of Bailey Baum.
What advice would you give to artists out there?
Keep going, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to release things. Believe in your ideas, take advice while also taking risks, trust your gut and never stop!
Why do you make music? What keeps you motivated?
I love this question. For as long as I can remember, I have always felt deeply impacted by music. As soon as I could talk, I was constantly carrying a tune. I would spend hours listening to my favorite albums on repeat, diving into the songwriting process in my little diary and performing at talent shows, sleepovers, family holidays - anywhere I had the chance to share my love of music and how much it meant to me. As I got older, I never had a doubt about what I was going to do. I knew I wanted to create music that moved people. The number one thing that keeps me going is receiving positive messages about my music. A few months ago, I was having one day in particular where I felt really uninspired and was being so down on myself about my music and career. Out of the blue, I got the sweetest message from someone sharing how much my songs meant to them. Hearing that they listened to my EP everyday was so powerful in general, but even more so given the fact that it was exactly what I needed to hear for some extra reassurance that I am on the right path. It’s wild how the universe works. If my music can make even one person’s day better - even just for a moment - I am achieving what I set out to do, and that is a really great feeling that drives me to push even further.
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