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...

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. 


Was there a moment growing up when you realised you wanted to pursue a creative career?


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.

Cummins famous image later donned the cover of Joy Divisions posthumous 'Best Of...' album. 


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. 

Wynona Bleach


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.
Find your purpose...Ferals in black and white

Let’s rewind things a little bit. As a very young teenager you started your journey through the Volume Control program in the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast, running all ages gigs. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself if you could talk to that teenager?


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!
Anything new that interests you. Life is too short.



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. 
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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