In Conversation: Bailey Tomkinson

Bailey Tomkinson took her baby steps towards a recording career back in 2018. Since then, the Daily Mail has hailed her as the UK's answer to Taylor Swift, and she has released a steady flow of singles. While her solo material was garnering heavy spins, she has decided to branch out and become the vocalist of a 70s-inspired group. We caught up with her to learn a little more.

Over the last few years, you have enjoyed steady growth as a soloist. What prompted the move to the band?

It’s funny, because when I first started, I was definitely channelling that singer-songwriter vibe—just me, a guitar, and some songs about growing up and figuring things out. When I was a teenager, I was listening to Taylor Swift, and she was a huge influence on me. But there is a bit of a ceiling to that—I was getting coverage in the national press, but the next day I was being asked to open a stage for acts without the same profile or number of listeners, even locally, because there’s still this prevailing belief in parts of the industry that festivals are for the boys to play at! At the same time, I suppose my musical taste expanded, and I found myself obsessed with bands like Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles. You know, those classic rock and folk-rock bands with that big, layered sound and huge energy on stage. I realised I wanted that for myself—the camaraderie, the dynamics, the possibility to rock out just as hard as anyone else.

With those influences in mind, the songs I was writing naturally grew. I wanted more than just a guitar; I wanted harmonies, drums, keys, sax, and that electric feel that only a full band can give you. Jordan, of course, was already playing guitar with me, and after that, it was about finding the right people to help me bring those songs to life. It took a little time because people have commitments, but we’ve finally landed on a lineup that fits, and I think it’s reflected in the music.

Tell us a little more about The Locals...

Oh, where do I begin? The locals are pure Kernow! All Cornish boys! You’ve got Jordan on guitar—he’s not only ridiculously talented but also keeps me grounded. Then there’s Cal on drums—he’s got this energy that just drives every song forward. Tadgh is on bass, and honestly, the three things he loves most in life are curls, girls, and playing bass—he’ll kill me for saying that, but it’s true! And Dan on sax and keys is kind of our wildcard. I mean, who doesn’t love a sax solo? They all bring something different, and that’s what makes us work. Everyone’s invested in the sound, in the process, and most importantly, in each other. It’s not just a group of musicians; it’s a team, and I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

How has working with a band altered your own songwriting approach?

It’s definitely opened up new ways for me to think about the music. When you’re solo, it’s just you—your thoughts, your melodies, your instrument. But with a band, I’m constantly thinking, "How can we use everyone’s strengths?" Now, when I write, I'm considering what Jordan's guitar might add or how Cal's drumming could change the mood of a song. And then there’s Dan on sax—like, what? Who would’ve thought a sax could fit alongside pedal steel on Cobalt Blue? But it totally works. It’s collaborative now, and that’s been both exciting and humbling. Sometimes you’ve got to step back and let the others bring their ideas to the table, and often, their contributions take the song somewhere I couldn’t have imagined on my own.

You have already released a couple of singles as a band; how have you found the initial response?

It’s been so positive! I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous. When you make such a big shift, you never really know how people are going to react. However, the fans have been so supportive, and they seem to love the new direction. It’s still me; it’s just… more. There's more energy and depth, and people are connecting with it. It feels like they’re on this journey with us, which is incredible. The comments and messages we've received have been overwhelmingly positive, and I believe it's because we're being true to ourselves—there's no pretending here.

Tell us all about your upcoming single...

Our next single is called Chrysalis, and it’s super personal for me. It’s about that space between who you were and who you’re becoming and feeling a little lost in that transition. But it’s also hopeful because the chrysalis phase doesn’t last forever—you eventually break free. Musically, it’s got this huge build, and I think it really captures that sense of transformation. The band has brought so much to this track—it feels like everything we’ve been working on as a group is reflected in this song. I can’t wait for people to hear it.

It's been our biggest live song for a while now, and I feel like we've managed to pull off a quite difficult feat: capturing the essence of playing it live on a record.

Are there any current plans for a full album?

Yes, absolutely! We’ve been writing a tonne of new material, and an album is definitely in the works. In fact, we’re planning to release both an EP and a full album next year. We’ve got so much music written already, and it feels like the right time to create something that really represents everything Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals have evolved into. The album will be more than just a collection of songs—it’s going to tell a cohesive story, capturing where we’ve come from and where we’re heading next. I’m excited for people to hear it.

And can we see you on the road any time soon?

Absolutely! We’re playing our first gig with Live Nation at the famous Slaughtered Lamb on September 25th in London, and The St Ives Music Festival features a hometown gig on September 19th, and that will be a special one too! We think people are going to be blown away when they hear us live, and I’m so excited to share that energy with people. We’re definitely bringing something new to the stage this time around, and I think people are going to love it. Plus, we’ve got some new material that we’ll be playing live for the first time, and I can’t wait to see how they land with a crowd.