Coat by PIER ANTONIO GASPARI @pierantoniogaspari, Pants by MERCY x MANKIND @mercyxmankind, Bra by VEX LATEX @vexclothing, Shoes by ANGEL CHEN @angelchenstudio, Belt by ERICKSON BEAMON @ericksonbeamon
Talent: Bayli
Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz
Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov
Stylists: Shola Shodipo & Veronika Lemle
Hair: Francis Rodriguez
Styling Assistant: Claudia Vlasimsky
Makeup: Deney Adam
Location: Los Angeles, California
Dress by MARKGONG @markgong_official, Boa & gloves by VEX LATEX @vexclothing, Boots by PER FIDEM @perfidemleather
What are you currently working on?
Ahhh I’ve been working on so much lately!! Aside from wrapping my debut ep “stories from new york”, I’ve been doing a lot of writing with my friends (old and new). I’ve spent the last few weeks in LA working on new music and stepping outside of my comfort zone to make some new and fresh bangers. I can’t wait to go back to NY and see my family and city again though.
Since becoming a solo artist you have released singles such as ‘boys lie’ and ‘sushi for breakfast.’ Do you plan to release an album in the near future?
Yes! My debut ep “stories from new york” is coming out this summer. It has some really cute features and I’m so so excited for the world to finally get a body of music from me! And…. maybe an album sometime next year? We’ll see haha.
How do you feel your style as an artist has changed since going solo?
I feel like I’ve been able to really fall into songwriting a lot more and get into my pop bag a lot easier than when I was in a band. Obviously when you’re in a group, there’s a bunch of different (and valid) perspectives that have to blend together, but I’d love to do a jam session with my siblings again soon : )
Top by PANGEA KALI VIRGA @_pangeakalivirga, Pants by ELLIE LINDHOLM @darnworthy, Beret by VEX LATEX @vexclothing, Boots by PER FIDEM @perfidemleather
What does your creative process look like?
A lot of mumbling and random lyrics before the songs were actually created. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some really talented and creative producers that help bring my ideas to life sonically.
Who is your dream collaboration?
I wanna collab with everyone haha. Maybe Ecco2k or Azealia Banks right now?
Where do you hope to be professionally in five years?
Hopefully touring! I want to grow my fanbase and put out a lot more music. I have so much in my drafts and I just need the world to really get the real jist of who BAYLI is.
Coat by VEX LATEX @vexclothing
Can you tell us what is on your playlist right now?
Ummm I’ve been listening to a lot of ILOVEMAKONNEN and Yung Baby Tate **wink wink**. I’ve been going back to my roots and listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin.
What makes your track “16” so special to you?
Yeah “16” is actually a super special one. Long story short, it tells the story of my mom, who my family and I recently lost unexpectedly. In the 90s, my mom immigrated to New York from London, and the song takes you through what she saw over the years in her travels. The song is basically a fast-forward through her life to the things that she ended up teaching us from the things she experienced. It’s really my first ever attempt of some type of memoir-esque writing, I guess. Very much a recurring theme in a lot of my new writing and super on brand for “stories from new york” EP if I do say so myself.
Dress by MARKGONG @markgong_official, Boa & gloves by VEX LATEX @vexclothing, Boots by PER FIDEM @perfidemleather
The sonics from “16” are very different from a lot of the other tracks on your project. What made you include this track as part of your debut project?
I actually wrote 16 a long time ago. I think if any song helped bring together my experiences in New York it might be this one. My good friend and collaborator, Brody Myles, produced this song with me and I felt like it was important to provide some contrast to some of the more fast-paced tracks I have on my EP.
Coat by VEX LATEX @vexclothing
You are a true New Yorker born and raised, how is the music industry different here compared to L.A.?
Wait, I love this question because I honestly compare the two myself… I would say that when I’m in L.A. I’m hopping from session to session and things are always moving so fast. My creativity is always crazy on the west coast which is perfect for trips every so often, but NY is truly my home. My best and most personal music usually gets written in New York around my friends and family.
Dress & boots by C+plus SERIES @cplusseries, Tights by Alo Yoga @aloyoga
Who are your musical inspirations?
Hmm Led Zeppelin has always been a big inspiration to me but I’ve been listening to alot of forward moving pop like Charli XCX and Dorian Electra.
Can we expect any more personal tracks that give us a deeper look into your life to show up on your ep, “stories from new york”?
You definitely can! I have a track called “Foreigner” that talks about a real life experience I had in the city and really helps tie my project together with 16. I’m really excited to share some more personal music with my fans, even though I still love my pop bangers like sushi and boys lie.
