interview | betsy bailie
The
relationship between sound and picture is an interesting one, two creative
practices at once different and the same. Photographs tell the story we don't
have to speak, as easily and diversely interpreted as a song. It is on
this side of the creative fence Betsy Bailie sits today, though you'd be wrong
in thinking that's the only string to her ever lengthening bow.
If you've
ever had even the faintest interest in Northern Irish music, chances are
you've saw an image curated by Betsy Bailie. A freelance broadcaster,
photographer and graphic designer, Bailie has built a portpholio
celebrated and shared by the likes of Anais Gallagher, the BBC and an array of
bands from across Britain and Ireland. She even spent some time on the
other side of the musical trench, taking on violin duties in a
pop-band. Now based in Manchester, Bailie hosts her own student radio show
whilst studying Graphic Design at The Manchester School of Art.
As one of
the youngest and most respected creatives in Belfast, does Bailie ever reflect
on just how she reached this point? Encore NI was excited to find out as we sat
down to chat...
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| Get the cool shoeshine...Bailie on film |
Hi Betsy! Thanks so
much for taking the time to chat to us. How have you been?
I've been good! I'm home for the summer
after a rather eventful first year of University so I'm just taking it
easy and trying to get to as many gigs as possible.
What was your first memory related to
music?
I was surrounded by
music a LOT as a kid - it was literally my dad's job. I remember there being
CDs sent to the house 24/7, demos from local bands. But mostly my first memory
of music being a positive thing that's shared, was when we'd listen to CDs in
the car on long car journeys. I have a really specific memory of me and my
sisters all singing along to "you go get the cool shoeshine" from the
Gorillaz song '19-2000' on a road trip while the sun was shining. It's just such a
feel good song and I have such positive memories related to it. I feel like
that band soundtracked my childhood. The animation aspect made them a fun band
for kids and our parents were big fans of Damon Albarn so it became a band we
listened to lots.
For me, growing up, there was no other
option. I did well in academic subjects in school, but it was never something I
considered a career in. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort but
I have no memory of a specific moment where I realised it was something I
wanted to do. It was just always kind of there in the back of my mind. I would
always say that I wanted to be an animator or fashion designer or something
like that when people would ask. I guess because both my parents were
creatives and my oldest sister ended up going into Costume Design. For me, the
question was always "music or art?" and I feel like I've found
a way to incorporate both into my work.
Do you have a favourite music-related
photograph? I love Nirvana’s famous Rolling Stone cover, (with Kurt Cobain
wearing the ‘Corporate Magazines Still Suck’ tee) and Liam Gallagher, arms
outstretched in font of a sea of people, at Main Road in the mid-90’s…
One of my favourite photographers ever
is Kevin Cummins and I love all the photographs he took of Joy Division and
The Smiths. But my favourite photograph has to be the famous Joy Division
bridge photo in Hulme, Manchester. It was one of the photos that made me want
to move there. There's something so bleak about the photo. It definitely helped
establish Joy Division's aesthetic. It made me realise the power of a
photograph; how it can literally shape a band's image. Kevin Cummins actually
claims he "saved Joy Division from being Bon Jovi".
He incorporated cold, austere, post-punk Manchester. The band matching the city. The whole idea of Joy Division being a 'black and white' band. That photo always makes me realise the influence and power photographs can have on bands.
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There doesn’t seem to be a band in
Northern Ireland who haven’t at least tried to work with you in recent years,
how does it feel having built up that reputation?
I don't really view
it that way, I guess it's all happened quite gradually. But it does feel pretty
surreal. I never really viewed myself as a photographer who did commissioned shoots. It
started off as a hobby, a way of me preserving memories, documenting my friends/the local
scene. When people started asking me to do paid shoots I was 17/18 years old
and never really realised or considered it a way to make money/a possible
career choice. As for reputation, it feels nice to have something to my
name, something to be known for - other than 'that 16 year old who goes to
gigs'. It feels like I'm actually contributing to the local scene which feels
pretty good.
Do you have a favourite photography
session, or individual shot of a band that you are most proud of?
I love shoots when
the band have lots of ideas and want to go somewhere interesting. The first
that comes to mind is my shoot last summer with Wynona Bleach. They were full of energy and ideas and we ended up
spontaneously driving to the international airport to take some photos in the
waiting area. It was a location I never considered for a photoshoot but
ended up looking quite cool. Another example is a shoot I did with
Ferals in Portrush. It was a sunny day and we went to Barry's and the
beach and ate ice cream. It didn't feel like work.
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Wynona Bleach
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How has the scene changed from when you
first began working in it?
When I was really
young and used to hear about local bands and gigs through my dad and sister, it
seemed like bands had more fire, determination. To really 'make it' - to make
it out of Belfast. I feel like that's what's missing these days. Some bands are
just happy enough playing gigs in the same venues to the same audiences week
after week.
The scene has also
changed in terms of photographers. Everyone's a photographer these days. It's
become so much easier for people these days to take nice photos. It's killing
photography as a career. Everyone's just doing it as a hobby. Sometimes
that's hard. Who's going to pay me to shoot a gig when people will turn up with
cameras anyway? It's one of the reasons I started shooting on analogue film
cameras. Going back to basics, what true photography is really about. It's a
style that you can't get from a phone camera or a cheap digital. It's time
consuming and takes a real creative eye to get a good shot.
You haven’t just been behind the lens,
you’ve also been in bands and experienced that side of the coin. How do the two
compare for you? Do you think the infrastructure is there for bands to survive?
I loved being able
to experience playing gigs on stage, it's a feeling like no other seeing people
watch you play music. But it definitely takes a certain type of person to
have the confidence to do it. I was 17 years old when I was gigging and used to freak
out just before we went on stage. I prefer being the observer, being
behind the lens, helping and watching bands grow. The two definitely need each
other. I wouldn't be where I am without the bands sharing my posts, and
likewise. That's what makes music so great, there's so many other jobs
surrounding it. So many jobs for people to do to all help out. Would Joy
Division or New Order have been the same without the Kevin Cummins photographs
or the iconic Peter Saville record sleeves? No. Artists help shape bands.
And bands give artists jobs. The infrastructure definitely helps both parties
to survive.
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| Find your purpose...Ferals in black and white |
Go to as many gigs as possible!
Network, talk to people, make friends! I was a very shy and anxious teenager
and missed out on some opportunities to connect with people similar to me. I also
feel like I was in such a rush to get out of Belfast, experience the mainland.
But I would tell myself to appreciate it more. Appreciate those times I played
in a band, the times I watched bands grow, the times I had the chance to talk
to some interesting people.
You recently moved to Manchester to
study Graphic Design and immediately worked your way into hosting your own
radio show. How has that experience been for you?
It definitely has
pushed me out of my comfort zone. But I think that's important for young
people. There's nothing like moving away for Uni and throwing yourself into new
things to really grow as a person. Sometimes Belfast can be a bit of a
bubble and living in Manchester for almost a year has made me realise there's more
out there. But it's also made me appreciate Belfast more. Appreciate the
close-knit music scene and all my friends back home. It takes a while to settle
and you really need to work to put your name out there in a new city. But it
definitely is important to push yourself out of your comfort zone and have new
experiences. I am thankful for Hive student radio society in Manchester for
allowing me to explore an interest of mine. I think that's what University is
all about - exploring all possible interests and networking. I'd encourage
anyone to move away for Uni, or just join as many societies as possible. Join
pole dancing!
It’s
difficult to talk about the radio without mentioning your Dad, Stuart Bailie,
who for years has been a driving force behind some of the UK’s most successful
bands. Has he been an inspiration for you?
Yeah, for sure. It's
always a great comfort to me knowing that I have a role model figure in my
family. Someone to look up to and ask for advice every now and then. He definitely
inspires me to try and make a name for myself in the local scene, like he did.
It's sometimes hard for me to realise just how much he's done and is still doing
in Belfast, because to me he's just my dad; but every now and then I'll read
something he's written or a photograph he's taken and be like "wow, I want
to be that good". And I know I can because I have the Bailie blood! He
never stops as well - once he's done something great, he's onto the next big
thing.
He has made
me realise the commitment and work ethic you have to have
as a creative freelancer.
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| Adored...Stuart Bailie with Ian Brown of The Stone Roses |
As your clientele and reputation
continue to grow, your spare time seems to have vanished! Do you have a plan of
what your next creative step is?
My main goal at the
minute is to keep working hard at University and get my degree. I wanna build
up my graphic design portfolio while I'm home for summer and just create as
much as I can. I'm going to be the station manager for
Hive Radio starting September too which is very exiting. Making
contacts and connections in both Belfast and Manchester is a goal for me. I
also have a dream of displaying my photography at some point. Either in a
zine/publication or as an exhibition. But right now, I just want to continue
doing what I'm doing.
Finally Betsy, you’ve saw the NI scene
evolve rapidly over the last few years. Can you name a few newer acts you’re
excited about, and a few more established acts you’ll always love?
There's a few young
bands I've seen recently, for example Vale and Xiola Blue.
They've excited me and I think they're the next generation of musicians coming
up. Problem Patterns and Gender Chores are two
very exciting bands at the minute. They've got the punk fire. I recently saw
them live at the Problem Patterns EP launch in which they had a 'Prom' theme.
They really make their live gigs an experience. I do have a few favourite more
established acts though that I always love to see live. Jealous of the Birds,
Brand New Friend, Joshua Burnside. Bands I have grown to love the past few
years. I always try to catch them when they're gigging.
Interview
by Taylor Johnson
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