The Album Interview: Elles Bailey On ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’

Ever wonder what it’s actually like to build a music career on your own terms? Elles Bailey gets 100% real in this album interview, reflecting on everything from the struggle of “making it” to the magic of finding the right producer for ‘Can’t Take My Story Away.’

Catch the full conversation and stream the new tracks right here.

1. The album title alone says everything. Who or what tried to take your story away?

‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ was written at a time when I felt like people were trying to rewrite my story, and not giving me a chance to tell it how it was, and so out came this song about freedom, about letting go of bad relationships, and about celebrating all the hardships that inspire you to keep going! It really is a song filled with empowerment!

2. Some of these songs have been with you for years. Why did they need to wait until now to be heard?

Sometimes a song just needs time to find the right project. In an industry now obsessed with singles, I’m drawn to albums, and their stories, and how they thread together as a whole, and some songs have to wait patiently until they find their place within one.

3. What made Luke Potashnick the right producer for this material? What did he get that others might not have?

Luke saw something in me and had a vision for this record that I didn’t have for myself at the time. I was really struggling with impostor syndrome and in a pretty dark place, but Luke managed to bring out something in me that I didn’t even know was there.

I put my full trust in him with the production of this album, and it’s been an incredible journey and a huge learning experience working with him.

4. What’s your writing process like? Are you someone who needs chaos or total silence to create?

I’m definitely not someone who aspires to create chaos, but total silence isn’t needed. I always find inspiration in the world around me, and running is a time when I can clear my head and let creativity flow.

I don’t really have a set process, and I’m always open to collaboration. For me, music is all about human connection, and being able to create with others is what makes it truly meaningful.

5. Was there one particular song on the album that was the hardest to finish or let go of?

I’m not sure there was one that was hard to finish, but I was definitely most nervous about letting go of “Tightrope.” I wasn’t even planning to play it live at first, but after hearing what it means to people and feeling that reaction from the crowd, it has to go in the set.

6. You’ve been absolutely killing it lately with Live Act of the Year and all those Blues Awards. Does that kind of recognition change how you see yourself as an artist?

It’s always very nice to have this kind of recognition, and what’s interesting is that I won vocalist of the year in 2024 when I was really suffering from imposter syndrome as a vocalist…

7. If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I’d absolutely love to collaborate with Mavis Staples. I admire everything she represents – she’s such an inspiration for staying herself authentically across an entire lifetime in music. And her voice? Completely out of this world.

8. Touring can be brutal. What keeps you going on those long stretches on the road?

I’m a mum, and I’m programmed to always wake up early regardless of bedtime… So what’s helpful is early doors and an early gig, which means an early night for me. Late shows do me in, so promoters… if you’re reading this… early doors only, yeah?

9. Are you hitting the road soon to support the album? Any dates locked in yet?

Yes – I’ll be touring Germany in February, the UK in March, and then heading to the States in April, with shows in Omaha, Nashville, and Florida. I’m especially excited to be playing alongside the Tedeschi Trucks Band and Jason Isbell at Miramar Beach.

10. You’ve built this entire career independently. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to artists trying to do the same?

“You’ve got to find your people.” Drew Holcomb said it best – the ones who support you, lift you up, and champion you. The independent music journey means getting your hands dirty, working hard… but it’s worth it, it’s a beautiful life, and it’s all about enjoying the ride!

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