The Meadow, released April 7th 2023, is Bay’s debut studio album. Alternative/folk/theatrical in nature, this concept album consists of 10 tracks and 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 capable of going…

The album, like a film, is meant to be experienced from start to finish. Bay asks that you give it a chance to transport you.

“I want you to stop. I want you to breathe. And for the next 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

Since July 2021 four singles have been released from the project so far, all receiving an overwhelming amount of positive publicity, with Indie Top 39 even naming “Sticky Shadows” the song of 2021. Folk Radio UK praised Bay’s most recent release “Sweet Joan” writing of it’s “…meticulous and intricate twists that draw the listener back for repeat listens.” You may have also heard Sweet Joan on BBC Radio 3’s “Inside Music.”

“One of the best things I’ve heard in a very long time… It feels like you’re listening to Nick Drake for the first time or John Martyn or Labi Siffre. It’s remarkable. I was weeping listening to this. Mind-blowing… F&%K ME. ” - Luke Una (video on instagram)

“Beautifully phrased and swimming with surprising melodic turns, 'The Meadow' is a wonderfully written, highly evocative work. Influenced by folk but with wisps of modern classical and orchestral arrangements, providing a perfect backdrop for Bay's stunning vocals without overpowering them.” - Piccadilly Records

~ coverage / reviews ~

THOUGHTS FROM BAY ON THE ALBUM:

“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?”

“I hope that the album gives people a chance to get lost in their own current metamorphosis, however big or small it may be, and that it might help them find the courage or catharsis they need to go beyond their own meadow.”

“for me, It’s been a long and truly painful struggle at times fighting against that critical inner voice that says “who do you think you are? you’re nothing special. you’ll never be as good as (insert some name here)…” Stepping beyond the meadow for me means breaking away from my self-limiting world and into the world as we know it, as my full self (all the dark and light shades included), present and wanting to rise to the challenges ahead.

“Why share this? Why perform this? Because I hope it’s not just my story but others’ as well. And because it’s about creating a space where we can see and feel seen.” - Bay

PRODUCTION:
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; plays in the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra), Sarah Bennett (flute, alto flute; plays in the Hallé Orchestra), Roisin Ni Dhuill (viola; plays in the BBC Philharmonic), Pete Mitchell (percussion), Sam Vicary (double bass), Claire O’Connor (trumpet), Tom Bennett (live field recordings), Mat Peters (synth textures); It was captured by Seadna McPhail at Airtight Studios in Chorlton, Manchester and mixed/mastered by Zach Kornhauser in NYC.

MUSICAL STYLE / SOUND:
Musically it feels influenced by folk but with wisps of modern classical and orchestral arrangements, utilising mostly acoustic instruments with added elements of synth textures/drones and field recordings to create its natural-yet-dreamy sound world.

“Complex songwriting sees arrangements rise and fall with all the drama of the Rockies from whence he came; containing a wealthy palette of instrumentation - woodwind, bells, strings, and a faithfully plucked acoustic guitar which [Bryan] wields with a deft, fairylike elegance.” - Piccadilly Records

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
- Bay is planning UK tour for the Fall 2023.
- R&D of “The Meadow” as a gig-theatre piece.

Who is the Meadow for?
The Meadow is for anyone who feels stuck in some aspect of their life and are longing to move forward. We are all being called to grow and to evolve. The question is whether we can overcome our reservations and just go for it.

“It’s not about one moment in particular, but the recurrent nature of life offering us adventures that pull us beyond our comforts. I’m hoping this album and the live show can bring us together, and make us feel we aren’t alone in our struggles…”
~ Bay x

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ALBUM LAUNCH GIG (SOLD OUT)
APRIL 6th - Deaf Institute - Manchester, UK

Bay celebrated the “The Meadow” with a very special album launch gig on April 6th, 2023 at The Lodge at Deaf Institute in Manchester, UK. Bay’s band performed the full album, accompanied by personal stories told throughout making it feel more like a piece of gig-theatre than your average gig. Notable DJ James Holroyd opened the night with a DJ set to set the tone for the evening. The gig was promoted by Sticky Heat.

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Contact:
Bay Bryan
baybryanmusic@gmail.com
Press Contact
Jo Lowes presspufferfish@gmail.com
Bookings: ali@warmagency.com

most recent release “Far Away” 18th Nov 2022

“… a dreamy slice of alt-folk”
- Americana UK

Press for Far Away
Folk Radio UK
Americana UK
Indie Music Centre

✨ Sweet Joan ~ 22 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)

✨ played on BBC Radio 3

\\\ PRESS FOR ‘SWEET JOAN’ ///
folk radio UK (R)
Fortitude Magazine (R)
Find Your Sounds (R)
Glasse Factory (R)
Vents Magazine (I)

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✨ Let Go ~ 24 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)

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\\\ PRESS FOR ‘LET GO’ ///
Indie Music Centre (R)
Indie Top 39 (R)
The Other Side Reviews (R)
Sinuisoidal Music (I)

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✨ Sticky Shadows ~ 16 july 2021

"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.

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\\\ PRESS FOR ‘STICKY SHADOWS’ ///
Only A Northern One (R)
The Other Side Reviews (R)
Indie Music Centre (R)
Rising Artists Blog (I)
Indie Top 39 (I)

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