Bailey Tomkinson made her mark as a solo artist with hits like “Astronaut,” captivating audiences with her raw, acoustic sound and heartfelt lyrics. But for Bailey, staying in her comfort zone was never an option. Driven by a desire for a fuller, more communal sound, she formed The Locals, a band that’s as rebellious and hungry as she is. In this candid interview, Bailey opens up about the journey from solo artist to bandleader, the challenges of breaking industry stereotypes, and how the band’s anthem “Chrysalis” symbolizes both personal and professional transformation. From the dynamics of working closely with her partner Jordan to the thrill of performing on major stages, Bailey shares the triumphs, trials, and deep sense of camaraderie that fuel Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals.
Bailey, you initially made waves as a solo artist with hits like “Astronaut.” What led you to transition from a solo career to forming a band with The Locals? Was there a defining moment that made you realize this was the right direction?
The transition felt natural, but it wasn’t without its challenges. At some point, I found myself writing songs that felt too big for just me and an acoustic guitar. I love the intimacy of that setup, but I craved something fuller, more communal. I’ve always been a bit of a rebel when it comes to musical choices. With everyone around me doing the solo artist thing (which totally makes sense for economic and logistical reasons), I thought, why not go the other way? I wanted the energy, the camaraderie, the whole “us against the world” vibe that comes with a band.
But there was another element that pushed me toward forming The Locals. As a solo female artist with a guitar, you often get pigeonholed into this old-fashioned “girl and guitar” slot—opening the stage, then getting shuffled off before “the boys” come on to make real noise. There’s still this unspoken rubbish in some corners of the industry that women can’t rock out the same way, and I just thought, “I’m not having that; I can rock just as hard as anyone!”
Jordan was a huge part of making the transition work. He’s a brilliant guitarist—seriously good—so it would’ve been silly not to take advantage of that. But forming a band wasn’t as simple as just adding one person. It took time to find a setup that really clicked. People have jobs, families, responsibilities. I needed to find a group that gelled musically and was as committed to this dream as I was. And that took a while.
It all started to feel right once Jordan and I got into the groove of working together. Honestly, I was nervous at first—because, you know, blending work and love can be risky. We all know how Fleetwood Mac turned out! But then we started finding other musicians who wanted this just as badly as we did, and it was like, “Okay, this is it. This is what I’ve been searching for.” Now, The Locals feels like a band that’s as hungry as I am, and that’s an incredible feeling.
You’ve mentioned that “Chrysalis” symbolizes rebirth and transformation for the band. How did this song reflect your personal and professional journey in creating Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals?
“Chrysalis” mirrors my journey. I think there’s a moment for all of us where we shed something—whether it’s self-doubt, old expectations, or even a previous chapter of life—and step into something new. For me, that was moving from solo artist mode to embracing this band as a collective. Professionally, it’s felt like unlocking a whole new level. There’s strength in not being alone, and “Chrysalis” is about that growth, that metamorphosis. It’s the band’s anthem, but it’s also mine.
How did each band member join the group? Was it an organic process, or did you intentionally seek out musicians that complemented your sound?
Jord’s been alongside me pretty much since we met, so it was a very organic process, like finding the right puzzle pieces you didn’t even know were missing. Cal had played drums in Jord’s last band, so when he became available, it made sense for him to join us. We didn’t put out a “band member wanted” ad or anything—it was more like, “Hey, you love Springsteen, right? Well, I know this awesome sax player…” and suddenly Dan’s in the mix, and everything clicks. Tadgh was the last piece of the puzzle—he loves curls, girls, and playing bass! How could that not work? Everyone brings their unique magic, but the shared passion is what unites us. It’s less about seeking and more about finding.
With such diverse influences, from The Eagles to Fleetwood Mac, how do you manage to balance these styles within the group? Does having these influences ever create artistic tension or debate within the band?
Oh, there’s definitely some good-natured debate—let’s call it “creative sparring!” When you’re blending styles as diverse as ours, there’s always a moment where someone says, “What if we took it in this direction?” And another says, “Hold up, but what if we added this?” It’s part of the fun. The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac are like our collective spirit animals, but each member has their own twist on things. The tension, if any, usually leads to something better—a song that has the best of both worlds.
Bailey, as the lead vocalist, how do you maintain your creative vision while also allowing space for each member to bring their own ideas and influences to the table?
It’s definitely a balancing act, but the key is trust. I trust that each member knows when to bring their flair, and they trust me to write songs they can add to. I might come in with the bones of a song, but the boys are the muscle, the heart, and the soul. We collaborate in a way that lets everyone’s strengths shine without diluting the original concept. It’s like we’re driving the car, and everyone’s got a map.
There’s a couple within the band—Bailey and Jordan. How do you manage the personal and professional dynamics? Does being in a relationship add a deeper level of communication, or does it sometimes create challenges?
Oh, there’s definitely a deeper level of communication… and maybe a bit of stubbornness too! You can’t pull the “agree to disagree” card when you’re sharing a Spotify playlist and a bathroom, right? But honestly, it works because we’ve built that trust. If anything, being in a relationship adds this extra layer of vulnerability, which makes the music richer. And let’s face it, most of our “creative differences” just end with one of us caving for the sake of dinner!
What are the biggest benefits of being part of a large band compared to being a solo artist, especially in terms of live performances?
Energy! Performing solo is a lot like being a solo pilot—exciting, but all the pressure is on you. With the band, it feels like we’re in a giant jet and everyone’s got a role in making the ride smoother. On stage, there’s a synergy that’s impossible to replicate solo. It’s electric. Plus, when you hit the last chord of a song, you can look around and say, “We just did that.” It’s a shared triumph.
**On the flip side, what are some challenges or difficulties you face as a larger group, whether it’s in terms of logistics, creative disagreements, or ensuring everyone’s voice is heard in the decision-making process?
Let’s just say… band group chats get wild! Logistics can be like herding cats—everyone’s got their own schedules, ideas, and Starbucks orders. And yeah, there are times when it’s hard to ensure every voice is heard equally. But honestly, it’s a good problem to have. The creative disagreements mean everyone cares, and when you hash it out, you usually end up with something stronger. Some people see the world as “I want the whole cake,” and some think, “if we pool our ingredients, we can make more, better, and bigger cakes.” We’re lucky we all have that latter mindset.
You’ve shared major stages with bands like Simple Minds and Keane. As a large band, how do you stay cohesive during such high-pressure performances, especially when playing at big festivals?
The bigger, the better. The more eyes on us, the more connected we feel as a unit. Our best performances have been on the biggest stages we’ve played. Whether it’s the adrenaline or the energy from the crowd, we all seem to thrive on that buzz.
Do you ever feel pressure to conform to a specific genre or image because of comparisons like “the UK’s answer to Daisy Jones & The Six”? How do you maintain authenticity in the face of such lofty expectations?
Being compared to Daisy Jones & The Six is a pretty sweet compliment—that’s some rock royalty stuff right there! But honestly, I’ve had that all along, whether it was the Daily Mail saying I was Britain’s answer to Taylor Swift or whatever. We just focus on being us. Authenticity is everything in this industry, and the second you try to mold yourself into someone else’s image, you lose what made people connect with you in the first place. We’ve got influences from all over the place, but at the end of the day, our sound is us. That’s what keeps it real.
Looking ahead, what do you think are the key factors that will help Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals stand out in the crowded folk-rock scene? What are your aspirations for the future, both as a group and individually?
The key is in our blend of modern storytelling with nostalgic sounds. We’re not trying to be just folk-rock, or just anything, really. We want people to feel like they’re hearing something fresh, yet familiar—like we’re bridging different eras. Aspirations? A world tour would be amazing! And personally, I’d love for us to become the kind of band people turn to for both road-trip anthems and rainy-day reflections. We’ve got big dreams, but we’re also focused on the music and how it makes people feel. We want to build a great team around us, and we’ve got so much music written that I think we’ll do an EP and an album next year!
