Name: Elles Bailey
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, pianist
Nationality: British
Recommendation for her hometown of Bristol, UK: Pinkmans Bakery - Anyone who says you can’t buy happiness hasn’t had a Pinkman's doughnut before - pure happiness in each bite!!!
Current release: Elles Bailey's neew album Neon Glow is out via Cooking Vinyl.
Current event: Elles Bailey is one of the artists on the roster of the 2025 edition of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Other acts include Nubya Garcia, Joe Armon-Jones (Ezra Collective), Neil Cowley Trio, Mark Kavuma, Amadou & Mariam, Elles Bailey as well as Ni Maxine. Get tickets and more information here.

[Read our Nubya Garcia interview]
[Read our Ezra Collective interview]
[Read our Neil Cowley Trio interview]
[Read our Mark Kavuma interview]
[Read our Ni Maxine interview]
[Read our Blind Boys of Alabama interview]

If you enjoyed these thoughts by Elles Bailey and would like to find out more, visit her official homepage. She is also on Instagram, and Facebook.

For a deeper dive, read our earlier Elles Bailey interview.



When it comes to experiencing the sensation of “energy” as as a listener, which albums, performances, and artists come to mind?

I find that The Tedeschi Trucks Band is the perfect band to listen to to feel energy, joy and to be uplifted.

I’ve not seen them live but I would love too.

There can be many different kinds of energy in art – soft, harsh, healing, aggressive, uplifting and many more. Which do you tend to feel drawn to most?

Honestly - it depends on what mood I am in.

But I’m not someone who likes to listen to harsh or aggressive energy. I much prefer uplifting, calming or energetic.

I have had a hard time explaining that listening to death metal calms me down. When you listen to a song with a particular energy, does it tend to fill you with the same energy – or are there “paradoxical” effects?

That’s an interesting statement - death metal most certainly would not calm me down - I would say it tends to fill me with the same energy rather that have any paradox effects

In as far as it plays a role for the music you like listening to or making, what role do words and the voice of a vocalist play for the transmission of energy?

I feel like all elements will have their roll to play in the transmission of energy.

But so much expression can be heard in the way that certain vocalist deliver the lyrics and meaning can be heard in the lyrics which will also play a huge part in transferring energy. Also the placement of lyrics within a phrase can play a huge effect on the final listening experience.

When it comes to composing / songwriting, are you finding that spontaneity and just a few takes tend to capture energy best? Or does honing a piece bring you closer to that goal?

I feel that often the 3rd or 4th take is the best take … I wouldn’t recommend doing many more as often the energy will be lower the more takes you do.

For your current release Beneath the Neon Glow, what kind of energy were you looking for?

Despite some of the darker lyrical content I really wanted Beneath The Neon Glow to feel uplifting and joyful. To give a positive experience for the listener.

How do you capture the energy you want in the studio?

It’s always wise to have a plan in the studio as the surroundings and time of day can really have an effect on the energy.

To capture the magic of “Turn off The News” on Beneath the Neon Glow we decided to record it late at night. First of all we went outside, looked at the stars, lit some candles and talked about the track to feel more at one with it.

Then we headed inside, dimmed the lights and recorded it live to tape with me next to the piano.



It's a beautiful moment!

What role do factors like volume, effects like distortion, amplification, and production in general for in terms of creating the energy you want?

There will always be sounds that help create the energy you want purely by human association and understanding.

If you wanted to create a really calm energy you wouldn’t turn the amp up to 11 and add a whole load of overdrive - it just wouldn’t work!

In terms of energy, what changes when you're performing live on stage, with an audience present, compared to the recording stage?  How does the presence of the audience and your interaction with it change the energy of the music and how would you describe the creative interaction with listeners during a gig?

The recording process is all about the energy that you create in the room. You have to bring it all to capture the perfect moment on tape.

Live however it’s hugely collaborative process between the artist and the audience and that can vary so much. The artist will feed off the energy or the audience and vice versa - its a beautiful thing. It’s also wild to think that you can do the same show night after night but that the energy can feel so different purely due to the audience!

I love an energetic audience - you will always get a better show from me when the audience is buzzing from the off! They are also the gigs that stick in your mind over the years too! Anyone who was at my Chester show in 2024 will know what I am talking about!

Would you say that you prefer to stay in control to be able to shape the energy or do you surrender to it and allow the music to take over? Who ultimately has control during a live performance?

I am a control freak but I also at times like to allow the music to take over. And in a live performance we all play our part. Everyone in the room - it's totally collaborative.

What I will say is that I have gigged when I’m very poorly - when It feels like I have nothing to give - but it's in those moments that the audience can carry you.

My biggest every London Headline show at Islington Assembly Hall last year is an example of that. I was so ill and yet the audience had me, cradled me and it turned out to be a really remarkable show. I was very glad for my bed afterwards though!