The Meadow, released April 7th 2023, is Bay’s debut studio album. It consists of 10 tracks and conceptually follows a central character who is stuck in an endless daydream of their own making —a summer-sun-soaked meadow— safe, warm and washed in golden light. Underneath the “golden” rays of comfort however lies a discord: a niggling call to go beyond the meadow. The songs, both directly and indirectly, explore an ongoing push-and-pull —to stay where we are safe or to risk the unknown. As we approach the final track on the album, “Beyond The Meadow,” our hero has become resolute in their intentions and stands at the threshold between where they have been and where they might be going…

AN EXCITING STORY IS UNFOLDING…

Just two days before the album launch, Buzz created from DJs James Holroyd and Luke Una praising ‘The Meadow’ led to a whole new audience finding Bay’s music and a great deal of attention from notable music figures in the UK. The album launch went from 50 tickets sold to sold out in less than 24hrs; landed Bay’s record in Piccadilly Records in Manchester with the honour of a window display and hailed as a staff pick; Bay was interviewed on Worldwide FM by Luke Una (who was taking over Gilles Peterson’s four hour morning show Thursday April 6th); and Bay’s band was invited to London’s iconic venue The Jazz Cafe the week following the album launch (April 14th).

ALBUM LAUNCH AT DEAF INSTITUTE - APRIL 6th 20232

Bay and his/their band celebrated the release of “The Meadow” with a very special sold out album launch gig on April 6th, 2023 at The Deaf Institute in Manchester. Bay’s band performed the full album, accompanied by crafted personal stories woven throughout (underscored by the band). The incredible James Holroyd performed an opening DJ expertly getting the night off to a magical start.

THE MEADOW ON VINYL

As the album is meant to be experienced from start to finish, Vinyl seemed like a fitting choice.

Less than a week after releasing The Meadow on April 7th 200+ records have been sold, some ordered from as far as Tokyo and Australia!

Future plans for The Meadow (in performance) are underway.

— going backwards —-

Since July 2021 Bay has released four singles from the project: Sticky Shadows, Let Go, Sweet Joan (as heard on BBC Radio 3), and Far Away. You can check them all out now anywhere music can be streamed/bought online.

“I know I’m asking a lot but I hope you’ll give the full experience of the album a chance.”

“I want you to stop. I want you to breathe. And for the 30min I hope that you let yourself go —immerse yourself in world of the meadow —and get lost with me in it’s golden hue. The adventure is yours for the taking.”
~ Bay

The album, self-produced and arranged by Bay (with further arrangement by Fraser Langton) features an incredible list of top-shelf musicians based in the north of England; Fraser Langton (clarinet, bass clarinet), Sarah Bennett (flute, alto flute), Roisin Ni Dhuill (viola), Pete Mitchell (percussion), Sam Vicary (double bass), Claire O’Connor (trumpet), Tom Bennett (live field recordings), Mat Peters (synth textures); It was excellently captured by Seadna McPhail at Airtight Studios in Chorlton, Manchester and delicately mixed/mastered by Zach Kornhauser in NYC.

Musically the album blurs the lines between alt-folk and music theatre utilising mostly acoustic instruments, synth textures/drones and field recordings to create its natural-yet-dreamy sound world.

“The Meadow is for everyone. Everyone who is being called to move forward in some aspect of their lives.” ~ Bay

✨ single ~ Sweet Joan ~ 22nd april 2022

“The craftsmanship throughout this single is a joy to hear. On Sweet Joan, the viola and clarinet provide a rich contemporary backdrop to Bay’s ethereal vocals. In contrast, the trotting percussion provides an almost playful edge, capturing an artist absorbed in the joy of the moment.

The vocal multi-tracking towards the end is exquisite, highlighting Bay’s enticing vocal qualities that call to mind Sam Lee, Cosmo Sheldrake and The Magic Lantern, all of whom also have an innate gift of colouring their music through meticulous and intricate twists that draw the listener back for repeat listens.” - Folk Radio UK (full article here)

✨ single ~ Let Go ~ 24th september 2021

“‘Let Go’, the follow-up to Bay Bryan’s debut is light and easygoing. I love the smooth shuffle feel and the jazzy instrumental was perfect for Bryan’s effervescent voice. I loved how uplifting everything was without sacrificing the poetic nature of the lyrics.

Easily pushed along by the versatile percussion, there was always something to hold your attention. Sometimes, light and quiet pops – while at others a huge splashy drum kit. No matter what was happening behind the melody it felt perfect for the atmosphere and supported the vocals incredibly well. Melding so many different unique voices was simply beautiful. Another phenomenal release by Bay Bryan.” - Tyler Roberts (Indie Top 39)

✨ single ~ Sticky Shadows ~ 16th july 2022

"Manchester-based musician Bay Bryan is so much more than a singer-songwriter, he is a storyteller. This notion is proven to be true through the meaningful narrative and dreamy lyricism within his latest single ‘Sticky Shadows.’ … It is the relatability of Bryan’s lyrics and his depiction of emotional intelligence. ‘Everything I say will be meaningful or meaningless, depending on the day, depending on whether I can let go of my Sticky Shadows.’ His lyrics are overcome with a sense of rawness and truthfulness, it is almost as if somebody has plugged in their earphones to Bryan's personal diary, and his hauntingly relatable reflections and thought processes are forced to harmonise and act as a more than tantalising song, for our ears only.