Delaney Bailey

Delaney Bailey, born on August 7, 2001, in Bloomington, Indiana, is an indie folk singer-songwriter who has quickly made a name for herself in the music scene. Now based in Chicago, Bailey’s music is marked by its intimate, heartfelt lyrics and simple yet evocative melodies. Her journey into the world of music began during the summer after her freshman year of college, when she released her debut single, “Loving & Losing,” in 2020. This track introduced her to a growing audience who resonated with her deeply personal storytelling and raw, emotional delivery.

Bailey’s commitment to her craft became even more evident with the release of her first album, (i would have followed you), during her junior year in 2022. The album was a reflection of her experiences and emotions during a transformative period of her life, capturing the essence of young adulthood with a sense of vulnerability and honesty. Her music, often accompanied by her guitar and ukulele, created a strong connection with listeners who found solace and understanding in her lyrics.

As Bailey approached her senior year, she felt the need to create something even more personal and reflective of her journey. This led her to independently write, record, and produce her next project, the What We Leave Behind EP, in 2023. The five-track EP is a poignant exploration of her feelings about Indiana, a place she both cherished and felt conflicted about. The inspiration for this project stemmed from her impending move out of state, marking the first time she would live outside of Indiana. The recording process was intimate and low-key, taking place in her bedroom in Bloomington, where she used a microphone connected to her phone, perched on a cardboard box.

What We Leave Behind was officially released on July 26, 2023, coinciding with her relocation to Chicago. The EP serves as both a farewell to her hometown and a testament to her growth as an artist. Bailey’s ability to convey complex emotions through simple, relatable lyrics has earned her a loyal fanbase, with her music often drawing comparisons to other indie folk artists known for their introspective and evocative songwriting.

In addition to her recorded music, Bailey has gained significant attention on social media, particularly on TikTok, where her original song “dumb conversation, we lose track of time” garnered over 675,000 views after she shared it in February 2020. Her presence on TikTok has helped her amass more than 440,000 followers, further expanding her reach and solidifying her status as a rising star in the indie music scene. Bailey’s ability to connect with her audience through social media has played a crucial role in her success, allowing her to share her music with a broader audience.

In September 2023, Bailey announced her first mini solo tour, with stops planned in Brooklyn, Chicago, and Los Angeles. This tour marks a significant milestone in her evolving music career, offering her the opportunity to connect with fans in a live setting and further establish her presence in the indie music world. As Bailey continues to grow as an artist, her heartfelt and relatable music is sure to resonate with an even wider audience.