Meet Bailey Cole

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bailey Cole a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Bailey, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I have several people close to me that struggle with mental health issues. Spending years of their life stagnant due to depression and anxiety, even though I have both of those, I really try to not let it consume my life. I want to continue to grow as a person, and I’m able to process my struggles through my music and songwriting. In a lot of ways, I feel like I’m able to be a vessel that carries hope to others & myself. I love to create a space for those who want to grow and feel free in such a crazy world.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota I always felt like there was so much more out there to discover. I knew from when I was a little girl that I would live somewhere far, but unsure of where. I moved to Nashville when I was 19, with $2 and a dream. I started writing a lot of music, and once I found my producer, we were able to bring my lyrics to life. My music is rooted in overcoming childhood trauma, growing up surrounded by addiction that is cinematic and emotional. My message is always aimed toward hope. It’s important to believe in yourself, and never give up. I’m currently finishing up my first album, which will debut on February 20th, 2026. I’d love to welcome everyone to my pre-release show at The Shelby in WeHo on February 19th 2026. It feels so surreal to finally be releasing my debut album 6 years after it all began. Can’t wait until February to see me again? I’ll catch you at JBJ’s off Broadway on January 13th, 2026 for a charity event supporting mental health!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
First off – I feel like I’M still early in my journey! Growth is supposed to feel linear, but in reality, the journey has twists and turns that really create the growth. I’ve developed many skills as a musician, but find myself able to really hone into my creating when I’m surrounded by so many passionate artists in this city. If I had to name 3 things… 1) Surround yourself with those you admire and aspire to be 2) Don’t just treat it like a passion. Treat it like it’s your career. 3) Remember to stay present in the moment, and don’t get lost in the chaos. I do my best to not focus so much on the future goals that you are missing what’s happening in the now. I am trying to find a healthy balance with that daily.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I can be pretty skilled at procrastinating my to-do list when it feels like it’s way too much to take care of in little time. Luckily, I’m the type of Virgo that can perform well under pressure. From crowded nights at busy restaurants, to packed cosmetic counters, I have always been able to accomplish what needs to be done. Something that really helps me is handwriting everything and crossing them off as I go, very similar to songwriting and lyrics! When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I remind myself that most of the time I can only do one thing at a time and need to give myself grace. There is only so much time in a day.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Cedrick Jones, Jacob Smith, Derek Jones

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