Bailey Hyneman's New Soulful Single
Photo Credits: Lulu Shing
Memphis-based artist Bailey Hyneman recently released a new single titled “Better Days.” The song is soulful and heartfelt a meditation on perseverance through tough situations. Beyond music, Hyneman is a supporter of a multitude of organizations making a significant impact, including St. Jude and The Contributor. To learn more about Bailey Hyneman and her latest music, read on.
Where are you based?
I am originally from Memphis, TN, but am currently based in Brooklyn, New York!
What’s the story behind where your love of music came from?
My mom is an incredible singer. I remember when I was younger she always told people that she just loved to sing, and if she could sing at the end of the driveway without someone carting her away for disturbing the peace she would! She was on “You Can Be a Star,” and was really turning heads early on in her career. By the time she got married she decided she didn’t want to pursue it professionally, but kept singing in the community. My dad was always playing Barry White and The Manhattans in the car along with the Watercolor Jazz Channel. I remember loving it so much.
Who are your inspirations when it comes to music?
Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Gladys Knight, and Joss Stone. Joan Jett was a really big influence of mine for a while too! Growing up I loved reggae, pop, I even had a bit of a rock/metal phase. But the soul singers are who really shaped me as a person and artist, I think.
Congratulations on your new single “Better Days.” What’s the story behind this song?
Thank you so much! I was living in Nashville at the time, and I got this melody and lyric in my mind. I think I was washing dishes, about to finish and walk to my bedroom and it just got stuck in my head. “Not all bad days have silver linings.” I think I was ruminating on all of the well meaning encouragement that people tried to offer when my uncle and dad passed away. I just thought, you know, we don’t need bad things to happen to us to make us good people. Sometimes bad things just happen, and it’s one foot in front of the other that is going to push us through.
“Better Days” feels a lot more optimistic and uplifting, both instrumentally and lyrically, than some of your earlier work. What inspired this change?
Ahhh it really does! That’s such a great question. I don’t know if it was intentional or not! I think I personally had been living in such a heavy time, I needed something to help me transition out. This song, while still a song with hints of grief throughout, was a nice bridge to some levity for me. Making it helped me find that middle ground that sits in the pocket of change.
Photo Credits: Lulu Shing
Could you tell us a bit about the significance of the cover photo for “Better Days”?
Yes! My dads passing was really sudden. He was a really wonderful person. A really complex person. Since the song was sort of inspired by the grief I experienced after his passing, I thought it was only right that I use his photo from the cover art. It’s one of my favorite pictures of him. He was so fun, and so bright, and also incredibly deep and intuitive. I wanted to honor him publicly one last time before I sort of move on from this chapter officially into the next.
What do you hope to inspire within listeners through your music?
I hope people feel seen, I hope they feel like a piece of them has been touched in a way that inspires them to feel. Just feel whatever it is they need to. With “Better Days” I hope people are able to find levity when they listen. I think that we really need some levity in our world these days, and sometimes when someone else gives us permission to let go, or to dig in, it makes doing that easier.
In April you’re running a half marathon in support of St. Jude. What does this cause mean to you?
Oh gosh, St. Jude is just an incredible place. Growing up, my friend Ali Mills was a patient at St. Jude. She was incredible. We grew up in the same neighborhood, and so we spent a lot of time together just being kids. She was so wise beyond her years, I think both because of who she was, but also because of what she had gone through at such a young age. I remember in first grade she was telling me about the different presidential candidates and which candidate she wanted to win because he was fighting for cancer research and so on. To be so young, and to have to be so informed was really illuminating. She unfortunately passed away in April 2005 and I am running this marathon in her honor. I know if she were still with us earth side she would be living such a full, impactful, and beautiful life. I am grateful for an opportunity to honor her life in this way.
You’re very passionate about The Contributor, a bi-weekly newspaper with a focus on social justice issues. The publication also directly helps individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. Can you tell us a bit more about what this publication does and why its so important right now?
Thank you so much for asking this question! You are correct, anyone who knows me well, knows that I love The Contributor. I absolutely love this non-profit and I think they are doing incredible things for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. While the scope and depth of why I love this organization so much is outside of this interview, I will just say that the people we see living on the street, or experiencing housing instability, could easily be you or me. The Contributor gives our neighbors who may have fallen on hard times an opportunity to have some sort of autonomy. It teaches business skills and gives them an opportunity to run their own business. This publication also has great articles about the goings on in the city, has beautiful stories of vendors, and is just I think a great way to help people get back on their feet with dignity and without a hand out, but a hand up.
How can we help support publications and organizations, like The Contributor, with similar initiatives?
If you can give monetarily to keep these organizations running, that would be great. If not, I would think giving them any sort of shout out, following them, buying papers from vendors. If you have five minutes, take a minute to talk to the vendors. You won’t regret it. They have incredible stories, and are some of the most incredible and resilient people. I think whatever time you are able to engage, that would be really cool!
Photo Credits: Lulu Shing
What advice would you give to young musicians who are just starting out?
Find your musician friends and hold on to them tight! Surround yourself with people who are better than you, people that YOU admire. You are never too good to not work on your craft and getting better. Some of the most successful and talented people I know are still taking lessons, in classes, etc. Don’t give up, but also make sure you have hobbies and friends outside of music that give you life! Those people will keep you grounded and keep you going when things get tough.
Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
I am starting to work on new music finally! And will start working on some holiday music to have ready for the holiday season this year! I am also about to finish up principal production on a beautiful indie feature film that I am so grateful to be a part of. We started filming last summer, and are going to start part two in the next few weeks. I am so excited! Definitely be on the lookout for the film. The actors I get to work with are incredible, the director Kendra Baude is exceptional and so down to earth and funny, the producers are just so with it and kind, everyone on the set is simply superb!
It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least three more. How have you been staying positive?
I mean… have I been?! Just kidding — I try to just stay in my lane. I decided that instead of giving into the rage bait, I would live my life in a way that reflects what I value and who I value. I give to organizations and non-profits and companies that I align with while also giving myself and my neighbors grace - nothing in this life is binary and no one is perfect. Human beings are so nuanced. Living in rage is not helpful for anyone. We have to find levity and light and love no matter what.
What is your motto in life?
“It’s the journey” and “People won’t remember what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel.” Those were my dads, and I love them. One motto I have had since I was three is, “You’re not the boss of me.” I stick to that as well.
To learn more about Bailey Hyneman, please check out the links below:
Instagram: @handleofbailey
Spotify: Bailey Hyneman
The Aloe Family - This non-profit is run by some of my close friends - Serving immigrant families in Nashville and communities in Mexico by providing medical care, housing, and career opportunities
SBRET - Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee - My mom adopted her senior buddy ‘Chuy’ and he has changed our lives in the best way!
The Bloom Room Nashville - My friend Cieara McBride is an incredible Florist and Arranger. She has a great business she is getting off the ground! These are just a few off the top of my head right now!
