“Sticky Shadows” - new single by Bay Bryan
\\\ OUT NOW ///
photo by Iris Cartia
RELEASE DATE: July 16TH, 2021
watch & listen…
STICKY SHADOWS ~ MUSIC VIDEO
“Sticky Shadows” is the first single from Bay’s concept album The Meadow. It is a rhythmically charged Americana/indie-folk song that features an intricate & unique sound with similarities to artists like Nick Drake and Anaïs Mitchell. Bay’s vocals are reminiscent of Laura Marling carrying with them strong lyrical content that beautifully conveys a personal inner-struggle as well as a yearning to somehow transcend that struggle. The instrumentation is intriguing and fresh with a stand-out bass clarinet part played characterfully by Fraser Langton of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The sonics of the song remain mainly acoustic with the exception of a few well-placed and haunting synth textures.
“Everything I say will be meaningful or meaningless, depending on the day, depending on whether I can let go of my sticky shadows...” (lyrics from “Sticky Shadows”)
Although the lyrics-alone might suggest otherwise, “Sticky Shadows” has an almost optimistic quality to it as it drives confidently forward. The snare drum with it’s militant march has an air of naiveté when set against the whimsical nature of Bay’s often child-like musings. The lyric that finishes the song is the same one that starts us off, as if we are back at square one. We are left feeling like there might be more to the story.
“With the release of ‘Sticky Shadows’ marking the first of a string of singles from their album ‘The Meadow’ there’s already a very good indication of what to expect. Stunning visuals, languid songwriting and highly crafted arrangements are bound to get your ears pricked up, and I for one can’t wait to hear more.” - Emma Roberts (Indie Top 39)
Alongside Bay on acoustic guitar, piano and vocals, “Sticky Shadows” showcases some of Manchester’s top musicians: Fraser Langton (bass clarinet / further arrangement), Pete Mitchell (percussion), Sam Vicary (upright bass), and Mat Peters (Synth textures). Recorded at Airtight Studios in Chorlton by sound engineer Seadna McPhail; Mastered by Zach Kornhauser.
“Light strings support Folk-pop artist Bay Bryan on ‘Sticky Shadows’. This enjoyable song pairs meaningful lyrics, with the drive of a story. Bouncy melodic lines take almost psychedelic times at points. When the song reaches what feels like the highest point it takes an unexpected turn. Throughout the thickening of the texture, Bay Bryan continues to push the song along with their vocals. They sounded great and their voice was as sweet as honey over the driving rhythm section. Above all, the song was both easy to listen to and enjoy. With its easy energy, it is more approachable than a lot of folk-inspired music.” - Tyler Roberts (Indie Top 39)
Lyrics
Everything I say
Will be meaningful or meaningless
Depending on the day
Depending on whether I can let go
Of my sticky shadows
Running free and wild, as if was and always will be a flower child
Running free, running wild, to let go of my sticky shadows
Tryin’ to get high
Higher than life
Higher than wrong
Higher than right
Higher than low
Higher than high
Higher than all those, all those sticky shadows
Oh my, will I live within this meadow ‘til I die
Or will I learn to go where the wind blows
Leave these stick shadows
Oh my, if it were I were a bird I’d fly out high
Out above and out beyond the boundary line
leave this sticky meadow of mine
Trying to get high
Higher than life
Higher than wrong
Higher than right
Higher than low
Higher than high
Higher than all those, all those sticky shadows
Trying to get high
Higher than life
Higher than wrong
Higher than right
Higher than low
Higher than high
Higher than all those, all those sticky shadows
Everything I say
Will be meaningful or meaningless
Depending on the day
Depending on whether I can let go
Of my sticky shadows
A bit about the THE MEADOW
The Meadow, set to be released in 2022, is Bay’s debut studio album. It consists of 11 tracks (7 songs and 4 interludes) and conceptually takes place in a self-created fantasy space designed to keep one safe, idle and in a day-dream of sorts. However, underneath the “golden” rays of comfort lies a feeling of discord —a truth: that we no longer belong in this meadow anymore. The songs & interludes, both directly and indirectly, explore an ongoing push-and-pull —to stay or to leave. By the end of the album we finally take those much needed steps “Beyond The Meadow,” marking an end to a chapter and the beginning of a new adventure, one that is “blue…”
“In ‘The Meadow’ album, I’m inviting you into my day-dream —a comfortably enclosed safe space, soaked by the golden sun of a perfect summer day that will never end. It’s the honest joy that I find in my ongoing reverie. It’s my melancholy and feelings of isolation. It’s my acknowledgment that I no longer belong here and the inner-turmoil that that brings. And it’s my biggest hurdle to overcome —am I even capable of leaving?” - Bay
Photo by Tiffany Graham
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; It sounds quite filmic at times with the acoustic guitar, piano, clarinet, flute, viola, upright bass, trumpet, percussion, synth and field recordings all working together to create a vivid tapestry of rich sound.
Press Photos*
*full res photos here
approved artist bio for immediate release…
Bay Bryan is a singer/songwriter based in Manchester (UK), originally from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (USA), whose music is often compared to Laura Marling and Rufus Wainwright. Bay is currently finishing a full length concept album called The Meadow (releasing 2022); The first single “Sticky Shadows,” a rhythmically charged and vibrant indie-folk song, will be released in July 2021, followed by “Let Go” (released September 2021): a dreamy, mellow and warm track that would fit perfectly in a summer road trip playlist with Nick Drake and Of Montreal.
Recent career highlights include co-composing songs for the theatre production “The Not So Ugly Sisters,” co-produced by Wrongsemble, RedLadder and Leeds Playhouse, and scoring the short film “Egg Party,” which recently won the audience choice award at Cinequest Film Festival (2021).
The Meadow, set to be released in 2022, is Bay’s debut studio album. It consists of 11 tracks (7 songs and 4 interludes) and conceptually takes place in a self-created fantasy space designed to keep one safe, idle and in a day-dream of sorts. However, underneath the “golden” rays of comfort lies a feeling of discord —a truth: that we no longer belong in this meadow anymore. The songs & interludes, both directly and indirectly, explore an ongoing push-and-pull —to stay or to leave. By the end of the album we finally take those much needed steps “Beyond The Meadow,” marking an end to a chapter and the beginning of a new adventure, one that is “blue…”
Upcoming Releases…
Video
“open and vulnerable... [Bay’s] storytelling transports us... and fosters a strong sense of community between performer and audience.”
contact
Bay Bryan (he/they)
manager: Casey Nimmer (she/they)
baybryanmusic@gmail.com
+447913172071
+17208788298
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