About this item

Manchester-based singer / songwriter and multidisciplinary artist Bay Bryan originally hails from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (USA). His/their exquisite ability to take us on a journey through song reminds of artists like Laura Marling, The Magic Lantern and Anaïs Mitchell. In performance, Bay captivates their audience, drawing from skills as an actor and storyteller. "The Not So Ugly Sisters", a theatre show that Bay co-composed songs for was named in The Guardian as one of the Top 25 shows to book for Christmas 2021. The short film "Egg Party,” with music scored by Bay, won the audience choice awards at both the Coven and Cinequest Film Festivals (2021). Bay’s drag alter-ego Queen Bayard recently performed on the main stage of Manchester Pride (2022) and seems to be competing for a career of her own.

"The Meadow", Bay’s current project, is an alternative / folk-fusion concept album ultimately about the bitter-sweet process of transitioning from one life-chapter into the next. 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.”

Possessing that syrupy richness you might associate with Nick Drake or Jackson C Frank - it's clear that Bay is clearly inspired by the UK folk tradition as he is the American. 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 Bryson wields with a deft, fairylike elegance. Detailed and cinematic; the album's evocative nature takes us off into wild forests, tall cedars, the English countryside and the American frontiers. It's nothing short of a breathtaking debut album, already being championed by Luke Unabomer and James Holroyd and rightfully garnering much support across the city. Limited first pressing comes in black and blue vinyl editions. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: If Boggy's on-board, I'm on board. 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. Lovely stuff.

TRACK LISTING

Intro
Golden
Meadow
Sticky Shadows
Sweet Joan
Interlude (feat. Fraser Langton)
Let Go
Far Away
The Threshold
Beyond The Meadow