PHOTO: LOUIS BOO | It’s miraculous, really, that great new music is revealed to us each passing week; we need only to be open to exploring it to enjoy it. There’s nothing wrong with reveling in your favorite songs, artists and albums that are deemed classics by some listening community, but it’s continuing to explore new releases that really gets us thinking about music: both where it’s been and where it’s going and how new sounds might enrich our busy lives.
That’s when it’s fun to discover an artist like Liam Bailey who offers a slice of many of your favorite records on his newest release, Zero Grace, yet he maintains a voice that is all his own. Liam is not really a “new” artist, but his latest album is a bit of a rebirth. His first full release dates back to 2014 and jointly came out on the Sony Masterworks and Flying Buddah labels. But his latest album on the Big Crown label feels like a return to Bailey’s roots; a true representation of who he is rather than someone else’s idea of who he should be.
And Liam wouldn’t have things that way anyway. As you’ll find in our chat, he’s his own man and he resists any temptation to avoid the truth; he approaches things head-on and makes no excuses. And for someone who is a music lover, and who appreciates a steadfast creator making music on their own terms, it can be an exciting experience to discover Liam Bailey. So, let’s do it!
Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.
