You’ve been thrown off the dock by an all-knowing force. You must swim. That’s the premise of change and trust for sibling trio BAILEN.
Julia, David, and Daniel Bailen, blend indie rock, folk, pop, and psychedelia, anchored by three-part harmonies. Following “Thrilled to Be Here” (2019) and “Tired Hearts” (2023), the New York City natives enter a new chapter with their first fully independent album, “SWIM!!!”
With the siblings handling much of the writing, producing, and mixing, the record reflects their decision to take greater control of their sound. The album’s title captures the uncertainty of that leap. As David explained, “you’ve been thrown off the dock by an all-knowing force and you must swim.”
“It’s our first independent release, and it kind of just embodies what it feels like to put out an album independently,” the band said. “It’s very vulnerable and also feels like you learn something new about the music industry every day that you wish wasn’t true.”
Despite the challenges, independence has helped BAILEN grow more confident in their creative instincts.
“We just kind of can trust that we have good instincts on musical stuff,” Julia shared. As individual songwriters, the siblings bring different perspectives to their music, sometimes disagreeing along the way. Their shared goal keeps the process moving, making the best music possible.
Much of “SWIM!!!” was recorded in their grandparents’ basement in Connecticut, with additional sessions in London, New York, and the Hudson Valley. The do it yourself approach reflects the album’s larger spirit, creating something on their own terms rather than trying to fit into a predefined genre or industry expectation.
The support of their fans has also reinforced the importance of trusting their instincts. Seeing listeners connect with their music in deeply personal ways has reminded the trio that success means more than streaming numbers. Daniel said it best, “When you have a community that believes in you and you see it at your shows, it’s more encouraging.”
“SWIM!!!” is about embracing uncertainty, taking creative risks, and learning to trust yourself. As Julia put it, “Don’t let people tell you that you don’t know what you’re talking about, because I think you probably do most of the time.”
For more information about BAILEN go to bailentheband.com.For more information about BAILEN go to bailentheband.com.
Support for this arts and cultural coverage comes from the Wyoming Arts Council.
Updated Oct. 19 for style and clarity. -Eds.
