Well, treat her like a Lady
Ha¯ wera-born soul sensation Bailey Wiley has released the first single from her upcoming EP.
The smooth and laid back track, which epitomises Wiley’s trademark soulful sound, Lady is an empowering ode to knowing your self-worth.
‘‘It’s about honouring yourself and knowing when to call your man out,’’ the Auckland-based singer-songwriter said.
‘‘It’s about standing on your own and knowing what’s best for you.’’
The single was dropped this month and is the first taste of her EP, due for release in 2018.
It is accompanied by a video, which was shot and edited by Jasper Jay and directed by Wiley herself.
She said the video aimed to put a spin on the way the public viewed women.
‘‘Yes, sure we got a bunch of beautiful wa¯ hine and put them in Lonely lingerie, but we also inverted the images to give the viewer a cryptic understanding of what’s going on and what we’re trying to say - you don’t always have to take your clothes off to gain attention.
‘‘Women are deeper than that; more intelligent than that. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - it doesn’t matter what size, shape, colour, age or religion you are. Beauty is not prejudice.’’
The musician lived in Ha¯ wera and New Plymouth until she was nine and said the region was where she first began to sing at the age of six.
Her grandparents Russ and Jan Standing were actively involved in the theatre in Ha¯ wera and Wiley said they encouraged her to begin singing.
She then moved to Christchurch and, after she studied a degree in performing arts, released her first EP at the age of 21.
The record was followed up last year by albums IXL in 2014 and, after spending three months in Germany, S.O.M.M. in 2016.
She has also collaborated with, and featured on tracks alongside some of New Zealand’s best talent, including Raiza Biza, Soraya, Ronald Lapread, Laughton Kora, Eno x Dirty, Tom Scott, Mr Carmack, Team Dynamite and more. - Tara Shaskey