In this Next Up interview, we will chat with Independent recording artist Tom Bailey and talk about his life, inspirations, music process, and ambitions.
For the ones who don’t know Tom Bailey, who is he, and where are you from?
Well, I’m originally from France, but I’ve been living in London for almost 10 years now, so quite a long time. And who am I? That’s quite like an existential question. So, you could say, ‘I’m a producer, singer, and songwriter.’ I guess I’m using music to cope with life. Let’s just go with that. It’s like therapy, we could say.
Why did you take Tom Bailey as your stage name?
Well, I wanted something that sounded English. I remember I was on a train back from the studio. and I was listening to some Corinne Bailey Rae. And I was like, ‘Tom Bailey.’ Sounds alright. So that’s it. So I tried that. And it just stuck, I guess.
Sometimes it just clicks when you hear a name. And you’re like, This is the one.
I wasn’t. I mean, I guess I was thinking about it a little bit at the time. I didn’t think that I would particularly keep the same name for all the stuff that I released. I guess I just wasn’t really thinking about it at the time. It just sounded good. And I was like, ‘Alright, this will do until I think of something better.’ I guess I haven’t been able to do that yet, so I decided to keep Tom Bailey.
I saw that you released your first YouTube video singing the acoustic version of Drops. When did you know that you wanted to become a singer? How did this come to be?
I don’t know if I’ve had that realization yet. I’m always thinking, ‘Wait, is this what I really want to do? Is this me, you know?’ I’m always questioning that and sort of going back and forth. But I guess I’ve always been surrounded by musicians; my dad is a musician, plays guitar, and sings. He was doing a lot of cover bands back in the day in France, around Paris. I guess, around the teenage years, I was sort of like, ‘Oh, let me try and do this.’ I always found making music, creating, to be very therapeutic and a good way to channel whatever emotions or feelings I had that are sometimes hard to say. You just put that into music and it just feels right. There was always music playing around the house, you know. So I was influenced a lot by what my parents would listen to and picked up the guitar. But actually, singing came later. I first thought I was just playing guitar, and then I would learn songs on the guitar and sort of sing along but playing the guitar came first, and then singing came a few years afterwards.
But sometimes when you play the guitar, melodies come into your head, right?
Yeah, definitely. It’s an automatic thing.
Nice. Did your dad sometimes take you to some of these concerts?
Every once in a while. He’s a big fan of ’70s rock music, so it’d be a lot of those kinds of gigs. I remember when I started playing guitar, I’d play a lot of blues, rock, and stuff like that. It was quite a departure from where I’m at now, I guess.
Amazing. And how would you describe your music in three words?
I would say freedom, creativity, and fearless.
Why fearless? Because there are no boundaries that exist or…?
Well, that’s definitely what I try to do. It’s funny because I was thinking about this a couple of days ago. Like, what does it mean to be a musician and an artist? Who am I making music for? You know, is it for me or for what I think people might want to hear? So I was, yeah, I was thinking about that. And it is fearless in the sense that no matter what you do, it’s not going to please everyone, right? So it’s about doing what you want to do and what you feel sounds right. You have to be a bit selfish. And hopefully, it resonates with people afterward. But fearless in the sense of just doing what you feel is right or making the music you know.
After watching your videos and listening to your songs, I could definitely see that there’s a Miguel influence. Am I right? And who else inspires you to create music?
I know who he is, that’s a compliment for sure.
I definitely get Miguel vibes when I hear your music. So yes, I wanted to know, like, who are your biggest inspirations?
When I started with guitar, it was definitely Prince, Jimmy Hendrix, and then when I started singing, I remember I listened to a lot of songs by Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo. Also, a lot of R&B. Like, I think the first CD I ever bought was BLACKstreet’s ‘Another Level’. So I loved that ’90s and 2000s R&B as well. I would say definitely D’Angelo is on that list, as well as Prince. And then you’ve got, like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, like all the soul’s legends, you know?
Did you also collect a lot of vinyls then?
Here we got A Tribe Called Quest. This was the latest one. And you got D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo’, of course. That’s like the classic. That’s the goat. You got Kendrick Lamar.
By watching your feed and listening to your music’s lyrics, I feel like you’re a spiritual being. How do you find inspiration to write these lyrics?
Yeah, I mean, I would say that I’m a spiritual being. I don’t necessarily believe in a specific religion, but I do feel like there’s spiritual energy in this life. It’s funny because the lyrics are always the last thing for me. I don’t know why, but they always come last. Making the music, the arrangements, and other stuff are really natural and easy to make. And then I’ll start singing some mumbles, you know, like, some gibberish and stuff. And that will come easily as well. I find a melody that I like, and then I just try to make sense out of the mumbles. But yeah, lyrics are always the last piece of the puzzle. Definitely.
So first, you’re feeling the melody by mumbling, and then you write the lyrics, right?
I’m trying to think of a time when I wrote the lyrics first. I mean, there might have been one or two songs where I wrote the lyrics first and then was like, ‘Oh, let’s try and make some music.’ But usually, it’s the other way around.
I saw that you collaborated with FKJ, the producer who produced the viral song Tadow. How did this come to be and are there any artists out there you’d be keen on collaborating with?
We’re actually from the same hometown in France. I reached out to him on SoundCloud after discovering his music. I messaged him expressing my admiration for his music and my interest in collaborating if he ever needed a singer. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d respond. What were the odds? Surprisingly, he did and even listened to some of my tracks on SoundCloud. He liked my voice, and that sparked a back-and-forth exchange of ideas. He sent me some beats, and I recorded vocals over them. This collaboration continued for a while. When it was time to record the final version, I traveled to Paris, where he and his team had a studio. I laid down the vocals there, and that’s how it all came together.
Regarding your question about other musicians and producers I’d like to collaborate with, there’s a multitude of talented individuals out there that I admire. It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. The music scene in London, the UK overall, is vibrant. Of course, there’s also a rich scene in America, and France too, among many other places.
Have you ever considered collaborating with French artists and producers to make French music?
Yeah, it’s an interesting idea. I remember considering writing a song in French at one point, but it seemed more natural to stick with English. However, why not explore it further? If it aligns well with the person or the music, it could definitely be worth exploring.
Could you tell us what were some challenges that you faced or that you are still facing in your career and life?
For independent artists, finding the balance between pursuing your passion and meeting financial obligations can be tough. Often, you’re juggling between focusing on your craft and working to pay the bills. It can be challenging to muster up the energy to create music after a long day at work.
The pursuit of perfection can indeed be a significant challenge for musicians, and it’s a topic I discuss often with my musician friends. There’s this constant drive to make everything flawless, leading to a cycle where you work tirelessly on a piece but never feel it’s quite ready for release. I’ve been trying to let go of that perfectionist mindset lately. I have a lot of music ready for release, and it spans a wide range of genres and styles—from guitar and vocals to rap and auto-tuned singing, even incorporating elements of Afrobeat. It’s a reflection of my diverse musical tastes. Still, I struggle with the question of who I’m creating this music for. If it’s for myself, then it makes sense to explore various styles since I enjoy listening to diverse genres. As an artist, there’s this pressure to define your niche and sell yourself as a product. It’s a common piece of advice—to find your niche and stick to it. But it can be frustrating, especially when you’re passionate about exploring various styles. Why limit yourself? You want to create music that reflects your diverse interests and talents.
Exactly! Having a diverse range of styles can actually be a unique selling point. It sets you apart from others and adds depth to your artistic identity. Embracing your versatility can be a strength rather than a limitation. It allows you to offer something fresh and distinctive to your audience.
It’s fascinating how people can resonate with diverse interests in music styles. Regarding the lyrics of your most listened-to songs, they often delve into themes of love but in a nostalgic and melancholic manner. Are these lyrics drawn from real-life experiences, particularly relationships, or are they more creatively crafted?
It’s a mix of personal experiences and creative imagination. Drawing from your own heartbreak adds authenticity to your lyrics, while also exploring fictional scenarios or pushing the boundaries of your creativity can be liberating. Writing without the constraint of having to strictly reflect your own experiences allows for more artistic freedom and experimentation.
At least some heartbreaks were useful, right? What do you like to write the most about? Like, what topic? I feel like love and relationships, right?
Lately, my focus has shifted a bit. I’ve been writing a lot about going out, having a blast, just partying it up. But there’s also this other side to my music now, a more introspective vibe. Yeah, introspection. It’s about reflecting on life, you know? Not just as an artist, but as a person dealing with all the ups and downs. My latest track kind of captures that mood, just pondering life and all its complexities. I guess you could say I’m a bit tormented, but hey, that’s okay. It’s all part of the journey.
We artists, we’re incredibly sensitive souls. We feel everything so deeply, sometimes even too much. But it’s in those moments of overwhelming emotion that the music starts flowing. At least, that’s how it is for me. When I’m overwhelmed with feelings, that’s when I need to pour it all out into my music. It’s like a release valve for all that intensity.
Among your various projects, which one holds a special place and why?
I would say the next song! The next song is always on my mind. I’m trying not to dwell on the past anymore. It’s all about moving forward, you know? Always looking ahead, never looking back.
Upon my research, I saw you released a brand new song called The Art of Letting Go. What do you want your listeners to feel when listening to it?
This song has that perfect cruising vibe, you know? Picture yourself behind the wheel, driving around late at night, lost in your thoughts, contemplating life. It’s the kind of song that sets the mood just right for those introspective moments. It’s got that chill, laid-back atmosphere that just pulls you in.
You announced that you’re going to release a new song each month. Could you tell our audience a little bit about your next projects? And do you have any other projects for this year?
“Mind Reader” is coming together nicely. It’s got this Afrobeat groove with some auto-tuned vocals, and I’ve added these cool Santana-inspired guitar solos to spice things up. It’s shaping up to be a really cool track. Then there’s “JODECI,” a collaboration with my friend, an MC from London. We’re both bringing our own vibes to the track, and I’m excited to see how our styles blend together. As for what comes next after that, well, we’ll just have to wait and see where the inspiration takes me.
It’s like opening a new door on an advent calendar every month, except instead of chocolate, it’s a fresh new song. It’s such an exciting journey, and the fact that it spans a whole year makes it even more amazing!
That’s the plan—to release a new song every month until we reach the next year. It’s a great way to keep the creativity flowing and to share my music with everyone along the way. It’s like an ongoing adventure, this monthly release schedule. I mean, who knows, if I keep writing at this pace, I might have songs to share for the next three years! It’s about embracing that fearlessness in releasing music. I’ve spent too long holding onto songs, perfecting them, but never actually putting them out there. It’s like holding onto a hidden treasure of music that only I get to experience.
That’s where “The Art of Letting Go” comes in—it’s not just a song title, it’s a philosophy. It’s about reaching that point where you’ve taken a song as far as you can, and then having the courage to release it into the world, to let others experience it. Otherwise, you end up with this backlog of unreleased songs, and it’s a bit bittersweet. So, yeah, it’s all about letting go of that fear and doubt, and just putting the music out there for people to enjoy. It’s liberating, really.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Five years from now, I want to be in a place where I can continue creating music that resonates with people, that stands the test of time. It’s not just about making music for the moment; it’s about crafting songs that will still be relevant and meaningful years down the line. So yeah, in five years, I hope to still be making music that’s as cool and impactful as ever.
Live shows are definitely on the agenda. It’s something I haven’t explored much in the past, but I’m eager to dive into. There’s something magical about performing live, connecting with an audience in real time, and I want to experience more of that. Traveling, going on the road, meeting new people—those are all part of the adventure, and I can’t wait to dive into that world.
Yeah. Is there a place you’d like to perform?
Japan, the States, South America—those all sound like incredible places to visit. Whether it’s soaking in the vibrant energy of a bustling city or chilling out on a beach before a gig, there’s so much to explore and experience. It’s all part of the journey, and I can’t wait to see where the music takes me.
What does True Urban Culture mean to you?
True Urban Culture is sort of whatever resonates with the people in that community. And that can be any community. But it’s about working with your peers. I feel like that’s true urban culture. It resonates with whatever the youths are into, from streets to skyscrapers sort of thing.
For all things, Tom Bailey, follow him here on Instagram, and Youtube.
