Getting To Know: BAILEY TOMKINSON & THE LOCALS

With a sound that channels the breezy, bohemian spirit of the West Coast and vocals that evoke the timeless power of Stevie Nicks, Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals are quickly becoming the UK’s answer to Daisy Jones & The Six. Their latest single, Chrysalis, is a storytelling folk-rock anthem packed with melody, tight harmonies, and the raw energy of a band on the verge of something big. Co-written with Ian Barter (Amy Winehouse) and produced by Josiah Manning, Chrysalis captures the band's evolution and electric live sound. As Bailey herself puts it, "This song is about rebirth and transformation, and we knew we had something special." Fresh off supporting Simple Minds, Keane, and key festival performances, this rising band is just getting started.

Chrysalis; is described as a song about rebirth and transformation. Can you share more about how this track reflects your journey as a band and what it symbolizes for you personally?

Chrysalis really encapsulates where we’ve been and where we’re heading, both as a band and for me personally. It’s about that weird in-between space—where you’re shedding one version of yourself and stepping into something new, even if you’re not totally sure what that looks like yet. For us as a band, it’s been a transformative few years—going from me performing solo to finding our sound as a group, navigating the ups and downs, and figuring out what we want to say with our music. Personally, it’s about letting go of the expectations people might have had for me as a solo artist and embracing the full-band experience. It’s scary, but also so freeing—like the moment you realize you’ve outgrown the cocoon and it’s time to spread your wings. Cue dramatic sax solo from Dan.

2. Your sound is often compared to iconic acts like Fleetwood Mac and Daisy Jones & The Six, especially with Bailey’s Stevie Nicks-esque vocals. How do you feel about these comparisons, and how do you balance these influences with creating something uniquely your own?

First of all, being compared to Fleetwood Mac or Daisy Jones & The Six? I’ll take that any day! I mean, Stevie Nicks is the queen, right? Her ability to tell stories through her voice and lyrics has always inspired me. But while those comparisons are super flattering, we also want to carve out our own path. It’s not about trying to be the next anyone—it’s about creating something that feels like us. We pull from all these amazing influences, but we filter them

through our own experiences and stories. So yes, there might be some Stevie or ‘70s rock vibes, but at the heart of it, it’s our journey, our sound, and I think that’s what makes it feel fresh and authentic.

3. Having played huge gigs supporting acts like Simple Minds and Keane, how has performing at such high-profile shows influenced your growth as a band? Any particular lessons or memorable experiences you’ve taken from those performances?

Those shows were definitely some “pinch me” moments! Standing on stage with a crowd that big, supporting bands like Simple Minds and Keane—it’s unreal. What you take away from those experiences is the sheer scale of it all. It teaches you how to command a room, how to connect with thousands of people at once. It also makes you step up your game. You learn a lot just from watching how these big acts prepare, how they engage with their audience, how every little detail matters. One of my favorite memories was hearing Keane practicing their harmonies backstage before performing Somewhere Only We Know. It was just one of those surreal moments where you’re like, “Okay, this is the level we’re aiming for.”

4. You’ve been described as a leading figure in the Kernowfornia scene, and St. Ives has played a big role in your journey. How does your Cornish background and the local music scene influence your sound and identity as a band?

Cornwall is woven into everything we do. The Kernowfornia scene is all about this laid-back, surf-town vibe mixed with a deep-rooted love for storytelling and community. Growing up in St. Ives, on a Sunday night in the local pub, I’d be surrounded by local musicians—old guys in their 70’s who played Neil Young and James Taylor—and that really shaped my approach to music. It’s about creating something that feels timeless but also very now. I think Cornwall

has this unique energy—it’s wild and rugged but also peaceful, and that duality definitely seeps into our sound. We love the idea of blending that dreamy, coastal vibe with something a bit grittier, like you’re cruising down the Cornish coast with Fleetwood Mac blasting, but with a bit of Springsteen thrown in!

5. From your breakout as a solo artist with ‘Astronaut’ to evolving into a band, how has the transition impacted your music and live performances? What’s the dynamic like within the band, especially given that it also includes your partner?

The transition has been pretty wild, but in the best way. As a solo artist, I loved the intimacy of just me and the guitar, but as I started writing more expansive songs, I knew they needed a full-band sound. The Locals have added so many layers to my music—now, there’s this big, immersive feeling to the live performances that wasn’t there before. And performing live with a band is just… electric. There’s nothing like sharing the stage with people who are just

as passionate about the music as you are. As for the dynamic with Jordan—well, we’ve definitely had our “Fleetwood Mac” moments, you’ve probably seen our “we’re a couple in a band” Tiktoks! It’s great because we know each other so well, both musically and personally, but it’s also important to keep that balance between work and life. At the end of the day, the band feels like a family, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. There’s a lot of love on and off stage, and I think that comes through in the music.