Although we at PHILTHY MAG are big fans of family acts (HAIM, The Staves, The Paper Kites, The Hunts, The Last Bison, etc.), it’s been a while since we’ve come across a new one for whom we really fell hard… However, later this month, twins Daniel and David, and younger sister Julia Bailen, better known simply as BAILEN, will release their debut LP, and we’re already really digging it. On April 26th BAILEN’s Thrilled To Be Here will drop, courtesy of Fantasy Records. The album, which began as a collection of 40 songs, was produced by The Paper Chase’s John Congleton, who’s produced nearly a billion great records, including work with St. Vincent, Angel Olsen, and Sharon Van Etten. Although the “blood harmony”-driven sound of Thrilled To Be Here could most quickly draw comparisons to an Americana gospel, it is actually the product of a trio of siblings who grew up in NYC, the product of two classically trained parents… which, upon second listen, actually makes sense… BAILEN are currently coming toward the end of a batch of live dates that will have them headlining Upstairs at World Café Live this Saturday, April 6th. I would highly recommend coming out, while you can still catch them in a listening room. In the meantime, check out their recently released video for “I Was Wrong.”
April 5, 2019