Words by Emily Hollitt
It’s been about a year since Mimi Bailey last hit the music scene. Her last release, Letters to the Sky (For Ryan) showed a more vulnerable, folk-centric side to Mimi’s songwriting. This greatly contrasted her 2021 country release Crossroads and even more so her heavily pop-inspired releases The Last Time and Last December. With adaptability at the core of her brand, eager listeners have waited patiently to see which direction the genre-bending artist would head next. Her latest release, Technicolour, revealed yet another exciting layer to the mystery that is Mimi.
Laced with sparkling synths and sparse production, Mimi returns to the world of pop with a scintillating, soft-pop track. Technicolour uses space to its advantage, creating a song that grows with you. The lyrics are well-paced, leaving plenty of room between each line for the message to really sink in. Like a comfort blanket for anyone who’s ever loved and lost, Technicolour invites the listener in as Mimi’s gentle vocal delivery soothes you with every line. “I’ll never be alone” she sings, closing the song in a final comforting note.
Between her busy release schedule, Mimi found the time to sit down with me and give us some greater insight into Technicolour, her artistry and what makes her tick.
Thanks for chatting with Good Call Live, Mimi! You’ve just released your latest song Technicolour. What’s the track about?
I wrote Technicolour around the idea of legacy – but wanted to be more neutral about it, not necessarily happy or sad. It’s about loving someone so much, you carry them with you and picture them in full, bold colours.
It’s been a while since your last release! How does it feel to release again?
I’m very proud of how Technicolour turned out and how my producer Harley J and I created it. I love writing and releasing music, especially experimenting with genres, themes and soundscapes; each project is different from the last.
I love the atmospheric sound! What inspired this approach to the production?
Thank you! The main reference track was Maroon by Taylor Swift. It was my most played song of last year and I was really drawn to the soft synth-pop layers and the lower-register vocal tones. We also drew references from Slut! off ‘1989’, especially with the soft high keys in the introduction and verses as well as the shorter vocal phrasing.
This song is vastly different in sound from your last release Letters In The Sky (For Ryan). What inspired this change?
I’m very readily inspired by different sounds within pop, folk and country. My main goal as an artist is to try as many sound variations and genres as I can. Lyricism will always be at the heart of my projects, but I enjoy making a variety of genres to keep tracks fresh and interesting.
What was the writing process like for this track? How did it come to be?
Technicolour came to be when I decided I wanted to experiment with synth pop after Letters To The Sky (For Ryan) was a stripped acoustic tribute. Once I brainstormed the theme of legacy, I wrote the lyrics solo. Then I provided the concept to local Adelaide producer, Harley J, who co-wrote the production and was an integral part in bringing my ideas to life.
You’ve been doing music for quite some time now. What would you consider the highlight of your career thus far?
I’m so grateful to have had many fulfilling opportunities, especially as a small independent artist. My favourite one was being played on local Brisbane Radio 98.9 Country FM for the first time. They were generous enough to spin my first single, Last December Feat. Nicky Muir. That fulfilled a childhood dream of mine; I always wanted to be played on country radio.
Local music’s really needed a big push lately. Who are 3 local artists you’re loving right now?
Three Australian artists on my playlists right now are: Canberra hardcore band, Charlotte & The Harlots, Brisbane’s electronic artist Clovo & Melbourne’s folk-duo Parkville.
What’s your favourite album of all time?
This is such a hard question; I don’t think I can pick just one. I’ll have to go with three I listen to often. Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’, ‘Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge’ by My Chemical Romance and ‘Gaslighter’ by The Chicks. Total opposites, I know!
What do you think is the biggest struggle artists are facing right now?
Definitely both the loss of local gig venues nationally and the struggle for home-grown talent to find new wider audiences. Gaining exposer as a small independent artist can be a difficult process and is not always guaranteed.
Finally, what advice would you give to any person wanting to write and release their own music?
I’d say you definitely have to start somewhere and just go for it. Think about what kind of sound you’d love to create, ask for feedback from other surrounding musicians and find people you enjoy working with. You don’t have anything to lose when starting a creative journey.
Technicolour is out now – LISTEN HERE
