Currently, one of the best voices in UK music is cross-genre artist Elles Bailey, who has won multiple awards from UK Blues and the Americana Music Association UK. Her 2022 album, ‘Shining in the Half Light’ was a triumph, gaining an impressive 9/10 in our review. Recently, Bailey delivered a powerful performance at the Black Deer Awards, where she also took the time to record a song backstage exclusively for AUK – check it out here. Now, she’s looking ahead to her next record and here is her latest single ‘Devil Claims His Prize’, a co-write from 2019 in Arkansas with indie-rocker Brandy Zdan.
Kris Barras directed the video, which showcases Bailey’s full band in action; the musicians include Joe Wilkins on grooving guitar, Jonny Henderson on keys and Matthew Waer on bass, all held together by Matthew Jones’ thumping drums. Bailey’s distinctive voice is lifted further by the excellent backing vocals from Cat Marsh, Grace Lightman and Elio Evangeline. Bailey notes: “This version was a real production collaboration between myself and the musicians in my band, pulling in all our different influences to create this sound.” As for the song itself, Bailey describes ‘Devil Claims His Prize’ as: “….a dirty hypnotic roots rocker that meets at the crossroads of blues and gospel.” Indeed, that rhythm is totally hypnotic and this is another engrossing song from Bailey. Enjoy.
After a string of festival appearances, including ‘Kew The Music’ where she opened for Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Bailey has a busy summer ahead. See the tour dates for August below.
18 Aug – Interstate Fest, Oslo Norway
19 Aug – Stockholm Roots, SE
20 Aug – Rootsy Summer Fest, Falkenberg, SE
25 Aug – Greenbelt Fest, Kettering, UK
26 Aug – Shrewsbury Folk Fest, UK
27 Aug – Great British R&B Fest, Colne, UK
31 Aug – Berrybank Blues, Stow on the Wold, UK
Another top notch opus from Elles and her amazing band. A dirty blues rocker akin to Rolling Stones “ Exile on Main Street “ period, lifted by the gospel singers and the drums into something quite special! Well done all!