A Chat with I AM BOLEYN.
'I Am Boleyn', otherwise known as Lydia Bayliss, is the London-based artist whose catchy tracks perfectly combine the nostalgia of retro synths with the excitement and modernity of electro pop.
Photos by Eva Pentel
Having only released her debut single last year, she is relatively new on the synth-pop scene but that hasn't stopped her from achieving pretty big things. With songs such as 'Just Friends' which just hit over 100,000 plays on Spotify and 'Too Much' charting at No.12 on the UK charts, (in a rather comfortable sandwich between Niall Horan and Camelphat) I am Boleyn is already making waves.
We caught up with the lovely Lydia ahead of her next single release ('Little Longer' will be released on March 6th). Drying off after getting caught in Storm Dennis (or was it Ciara? I've lost count), we reminisced over Carrie and David Grant and simultaneously wondered what on earth Lemar is up to now... After countless coffees and tons of tangents, we finally got down to the nitty gritty:
LB: You were recently used as the voice behind Charlotte Tilbury's 'Pillow Talk' campaign. How was that experience/how did it come around?
I: That was really fun! I love their products. A friend and I were commissioned to write the 'Pillow Talk' song a year or so ago, and then were so pleased when Charlotte Tilbury decided to use it for their new campaign. It was also amazing to be on set for the advert, seeing what happens behind the 'magic' was cool. Your music is usually described as being 'synth pop', do you agree with that description? I think that is a pretty good description. Synth Pop definitely suggests the 80's inspiration behind the music, so that's good! I used to describe it as 'dream pop' until a friend told me that was too abstract and confusing...
What music were you brought up on/who are your musical influences?
I was brought up on David Bowie and The Velvet Underground by my father and then fell in love with Zero 7 and Massive Attack. I am also a huge fan of Lana Del Rey.
What song would you suggest people who haven't listened to your music to start with?
Oh I love this question! I would suggest people starting with ‘Limit of Love’. I loved writing it and I love singing it live. It holds a special place in my heart.
We heard that you used to have a residency at Ronnie Scott's. What a place!
Yes! It's such a cool spot! I loved being there. We were upstairs on Tuesdays for a few months.
Was your music more acoustic back then? If so, how did your music evolve to where it is now? Yes it was. It has definitely evolved. The songwriting itself remains a very similar process, it gets better over time you hope... but the basics of finding a melody and writing the lyric around the idea - those things stay the same. But the next stage, the production, has really developed over trial and error and ultimately collaboration with amazing people. It sounds weird for a musician to talk about finding their 'sound', but it is a real journey! You've mentioned that you write your music mainly in Stockholm. Why there? I was introduced to Jocke and 'Family Stockholm', who are producing the album , about two years ago by a friend Bobby, and it was creative love at first sight! It is also very liberating to go and work somewhere were you know very few people (and it's dark for half of the year!) so you can really focus.
Who do you listen to on your Last Bus home?
Another great question! It depends on what mood I'm in a littlest, but if I am feeling reflective then I love the album 'Silent Treatment' by HIGHASAKITE. There is an amazing song on that album called 'Last Wednesday'. I also love Tycho's 'Awake' album. Sometimes you just need music and no words.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
It's got to be Grimes 'Delete Forever' and all things Sam Fender.
Follow I am Boleyn on Instagram here and keep an eye out for 'Little Longer'.
