‘We Are’ In A Day with Ysabel Bain

It’s easy as a music lover to cherry-pick the artists I want to write about, and why not? There’s plenty of music I love that people deserve to hear. But the beauty of inviting strangers to send me emails or messages on instagram or twitter to show me the work they’ve done is how I know the journey is eternal, surprising and exciting. I’ve received many examples of this in a multitude of genres from brilliantly talented musicians. The music of Ysabel Bain is one such exceptional example.

I could try and come up with a term to describe Ysabel’s music, but luckily for me she’s already done that – she classes her musical output as ‘Soul Etc.’ And once you hear it, you’ll understand why. Having played live across Brighton and London including a sold-out show at Brighton’s Komedia, Ysabel Bain’s style has been compared to Lianne La Havas and Alicia Keys. She also has her own clothing brand entitled ‘Speak My Mind’, described as ‘a weapon of honesty she uses to communicate through her music’.

In a twist of fate, Ysabel Bain, along with her band, decided to record a session at Brighton’s Clarendon Centre in January this year that would yield live performances of five of her tracks as well as videos accompanying them. Throughout lockdown, the session proved to be a valuable pot of gold for Ysabel as she sought to turn that recording session to her advantage in the face of the pandemic. A performance of her single ‘Overflow’ was released in August. The other four tracks would be collected and released as ‘We Are (Live At The Clarendon Centre, Brighton, 2020)’ in November, Ysabel Bain’s first EP.

The ‘We Are’ EP begins with a clean guitar sound and Ysabel singing over with the first lines of ‘Aftermath’ - ‘Run around, I used to love every little thing that you do, but now it’s too much. I start to make mistakes because of you.’ This track oozes soul with bass and drums in perfect balance and great tone on both, the rhythm section is almost laid back but still enough to bob your head. It should be noted that keyboard and bass guitar combine to form a smooth sound, helpful for creating a musical bed on which the rest of the band lay upon. Ysabel is supported in generous helpings of backing vocals. For this track in particular, Laura Tomasello provides a small dose of lead vocal as well as providing the higher harmonies that blend well with the other vocalists. 

Beginning again with electric guitar, ‘Control’ is the second track. There’s a tiny amount of delay on Ysabel’s lead vocal that helps to create a space outside of that guitar and voice combo before the band picks up the pace and brings a little funk to the track. Guitar and bass play together in this section to bring a full and punchy sound. This time the backing singers are up front as if presenting as a four-piece vocal outfit. Afro Ori makes a significant contribution to the track, her tone more airy than Ysabel’s. The great thing about these videos is seeing how locked in the band is with the music, each member is in their own world, moving in their own way. Curiously I can hear percussion that I can’t see being played in the video. Is somebody camera shy?

‘Blade Runner’ is different again, with acoustic guitar and an overall softer approach. MERRILL is a featured vocalist on this track, his deep tone a real asset and complimentary to Ysabel’s voice. Each vocalist is well suited due to the assertiveness of their own tone, but also their ability to blend with each other when required is a key feature of this sound. The track slowly builds, the keyboard textures are an unexpected stand-out with their futuristic buzz. The triggered drum sounds are also welcome, though of course there are acoustic drums here too which increases the intensity of the track as it progresses. Blade Runner is a real trip, drawing you in and holding you tight.

‘At The End’ is unique to this collection of songs as this is it’s debut release. It also begins with a lovely electric piano sound which remains a feature early on. The lyric is sung from the first person - ‘I don’t know how I lost control, always in charge of my own soul, it was almost enough to make me whole, but I’m so cold…’ It’s also the only song that doesn’t include the backing vocalists in a larger capacity, though without a doubt their presence is still felt! The build-ups here are perfect, allowing Ysabel Bain to really sing out, backed with guitar while the electric piano sound is switched out for some gospel church organ vibrato. The rhythm section are as strong as they have been across the whole session, the band so tight together and Bain singing with total passion. There should be applause, and then some. At The End is the best possible way the We Are EP could’ve ended – by leaving you wanting more.

1. Your new EP 'We Are' was recorded live in January in Brighton - would you tell us about the session that produced these recordings?

That was a crazy day. I wanted to do a music video for my single Blade Runner, but I wasn’t super keen on just miming to the studio track so I wanted to try and do something fresh. I figured, seeing as we had the venue for the whole day, that we might as well do more than one track (which was actually a life-saver in the end).

The whole day was insane, I wanted to keep as much of a live feel as possible so all of the songs were recorded as whole takes, rather than us dropping in for sections. It means that you still get to hear those natural imperfections (not that we’re ever anything less than perfect haha). It was hard work, but we had so much fun, and I’m so glad we got to play together before the pandemic.

2. The sound is so crisp for a live performance! Were there any studio overdubs made or is the sound what was played on the day?

No overdubs (I know, I was surprised too)! We recorded everything live and then I sent the audio files over to my favourite guy Mr Toby May (a producer at Metway Studios) to be mixed and mastered and he did such an amazing job!

3. Of course most of these tracks are previously released, even so, what was the writing process like for the songs selected for this EP?

I think it varies per song. Although, as a rule, I don’t like to force my songs into anything. It’s all about giving things the freedom and space for them to shape themselves (I think that’s what gives my music such a natural feel).

Aftermath I actually started writing on my way back from a nannying job, I was feeling pretty frustrated at a particular person and as I got off the train it just started coming out.

Control is one of my favourite ones (the live and the studio). I met this guy called Scott during my first year of uni (he’s a guitarist) and asked him if he’d be up for doing some writing sessions with me. We ended up writing about 10 songs together and they are all amazing (if I say so myself). Scott’s a metal guitarist (he now plays in a band called CLT DRP) and I loved the mixture of metal and soul that came out whenever we played together. I love how frantic and chaotic it feels whenever I hear it. It’s such a juxtaposition to the storyline.

Blade Runner was my little dark horse. I had just watched the movie and the next morning I woke up with this phrase “once I had a dream” in my head and by that evening I’d finished the song.

At The End was another one that Scott and I wrote together (actually the first one). I had a teacher in uni that spoke to us about freewriting (which is basically when you write without analysing). I tried it out with Scott when we first wrote together and that was how At The End started.

4. With 'At The End' being available exclusively in this live version, is that likely to be recorded in the studio at all?

There actually already is one (I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell people that).

As is the norm for me, it’s all about the wait. There’s a studio version ready to go, but it’s accompanied by a very specific (and exciting) project, so you’ve just gotta be patient and wait. I will tell you this, the studio recording is pretty epic, definitely a new direction for me (I’m very excited about it).

5. There are a few guests on this EP, how did MERRILL, Afro Ori and Laura Tomasello become involved in the project?

Fun fact: MERRILL and Afro Ori are actually related to me.

Afro Ori (aka Oliviyah Bain) is my big sis, so we’ve been playing together since we were kids (she’s actually one of the reasons I got into music) and I don’t think I could imagine doing any big project without her.

MERRILL (aka Merrill Bain) is my father and the distributor of all vocal talent. I feel like male BVs are so underrated and he has been such a help to my music that it seemed so obviously clear for me to ask him to be involved (plus he really takes Blade Runner to the next level).

Laura Tomasello is not related to me (unfortunately), but she is one of my favourite people and such a talented vocalist. We’ve sung together a whole bunch over the last few years and I think her voice is so beautiful. I’m so excited that she’s joined our little squad.

You’ll definitely be hearing more from all of them, I’ve got some big plans in my next project and they will most certainly be involved.

6. Your band sounds great across all these tracks - how did you first meet each of them?

Don’t they just? I get all mushy thinking about it.

Caleb (the drummer) and I have known each other since we were kids. We went to the same Sunday School and we both went to the same uni (he also basically recruited the whole band). He’s crazy talented and insanely humble.

Ish (the bassist) and I met at a hip-hop and spoken word night put on by my uni (I think he was doing some kind of beat thing at the time). I got introduced by a mutual friend and from the first time I saw him play bass I thought “I really wanna work with this dude”. He’s such a positive person and very creative, I’m always looking forward to what he’ll bring.

George (the guitarist) was also another uni recruit, although I didn’t really know him super well back then. We had a lot of mutual friends so I’d see him around and I’d seen him play a bunch of times, but I didn’t really get to know him until he joined the band. I’m glad he did though, he’s super creative, always up for trying something new and I love the sound he brings.

David (the pianist) is my cousin and one of my best friends. He’s one of my favourite people to sing with even though I don’t get to do it much. I was very very happy when he came on board, he always manages to jazz up the place whenever he plays.

7. 'Overflow' was also recorded and released from this session, did you consider including this on the EP? Were there any other songs left off the release?

I actually didn’t consider including Overflow on the EP at all.

I think it always stood out to me as a separate piece to the others (a little something for my fellow Christians out there).

I’m glad that we did it, but we were targeting a completely different set of listeners with that track, so I feel like putting it with the other songs would’ve taken away from what it was for.

There weren’t any other songs that didn’t make the cut. I was actually surprised at how quickly we managed to record all 5. I think next time we’ll come with more and see what happens . . .

8. Prior to the pandemic, you played a lot of gigs in London and Brighton, is there one that really sticks in your mind?

The gig we played at Komedia. It was my first headline gig (which we sold out) and the first time that I’ve ever done a set where everyone was there to see me. It was genuinely my favourite performance that I’ve ever done. The energy was absolutely insane and we had the best time.

I think it was also extra special for me because I organised it myself. I was so fed up of getting unpaid gigs, that I just wanted to take things into my own hands. I felt so proud of myself when it was all done, and I think I surprised myself with how capable I was.

9. You also have a clothing brand called 'Speak My Mind', would you tell us more about that?

I do! Wow, you’ve done your research.

Speak My Mind is my motto. It’s about being honest and cutting through fog saying things just because we think it’s what people want to hear, it’s also my not so subtle encouragement to others to share their stories. I think it’s the best representative of my music.

I wanted to make some merch that felt like it represented that narrative (go buy it, it’s dope). I hope that someday I’ll be able to expand it further and have an actual clothing line one day, but we’ll have to wait and see . . .

10. With 2021 on the horizon, is there anything you can tell us about your plans for next year?

Yes! I have plans, and hopefully this time COVID won’t mess them up (I’m sending mad prayers to the Lord).

I’ve got a big project that I’m working on at the moment (which I’m really excited about), I’m just trying the get the money together (this is a subtle plug to sign up to my Patreon), but I’m hoping to get back to the studio in the early new year, so if everything goes to plan you should be hearing some new stuff in the autumn.

I’m also in the midst of starting a new business which involves planning a songwriting event, and we’re hoping to have the first event in June (if everything goes to plan) so keep your eyes peeled for more info on that.

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Check out Ysabel’s clothing brand ‘Speak My Mind’ on YACA Apparel here.

Support Ysabel on Patreon and get access to demos, covers, money off merchandise and much more.

Follow Ysabel Bain on twitter and instagram @ysabelbain and on facebook @ysabelbainmusic.