INTERVIEW: Bains releases new single

Standing at the crossroads of classical tradition and personal catharsis, Bains is a composer who truly lives through her music. Originally from Louisiana and now based in the Midlands of the UK, her journey has been one shaped by intense reflection and radical honesty, captured in classical and neoclassical styles, her compositions speak with a defiance, flowing through the rough textures of life with a grace that feels at once haunting and human.

It’s this emotional sincerity that’s earned Bains recognition for her musical output with her work being spotlighted on BBC Sounds and catching the attention of viewers nationwide when she was selected as one of just fifteen pianists to appear on the TV series The Piano. She first introduced her sound to the world with her debut single “The Rain” and since then, she’s continued to build a compelling body of releases, including a recent collaborative project with Francesco Adornetto, pairing her own composition “A Breath In Time” with his “As You Asked.”

But at the centre of Bains’ music is a life lived in the shadow and light of epilepsy. It’s a condition that’s shaped her worldview, her tempo and her relationship with the piano; a constant anchor in an often unpredictable existence. Bains channels her struggles and experiences into worthwhile, cathartic musical expression.

Her latest release, the new single titled “Death’s Exile,” is perhaps her most personal work to date, a haunting meditation on mortality and survival drawn from moments when she came close to losing both. The piece is built around a simple, devastating premise of the experience of being pulled back from death not once, but five times. At sixteen, the pain from seizures and side effects of treatment had become so unbearable that death no longer felt like a threat but a relief.

And yet, she remained unclaimed by heaven, hell, or anything in between, using Death’s Exile” to explore this liminal space with profound sonic beauty. Crafting a delicate solo piano piece, the song starts with the soft pulse of bass notes before gently progressing with sombre lead melodies to cast a listening experience that’s both melancholic and elegant.

Gathering pace with hurried flickers and runs of notes, the song flows through a hypnotic scene of graceful performance, bringing to life an arresting composition with stunning musicianship. It’s a superb showcase of Bains’ timeless classical sound and instrumental panache, offering a spellbinding musical moment that’s enjoyable and meaningful in equal measure.

We caught up with Bains to find out more about her musical journey so far, her new single “Death’s Exile” and what she’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Bains below.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

Earliest making music? I was about 5, I started writing things here and there at 7 I wrote a complete song called puppy chase about my dogs!

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Artist I draw inspiration from! I’m definitely strange when it comes to that! I actually love Tori Amos for her creativity on the piano but love Chopin for his emotional connection.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I get my inspiration from my epileptic seizures! I have been through so much pain and there were many times they told me I wouldn’t make it and here I am! I have been beat up, raped, bullied and lost a lot so I tend to compose about it! I’m not all about the past though, I live for the now!

What was your highlight of the year for 2024?

Bawhaha my highlight of 2024 I was on the TV series The Piano one of the 15 at Sheffield station! That was a blast!

What do you love about the UK music scene?

I love the UK music scene because it is much more free then in the states, you wouldn’t see Ed Sheeran on the streets singing in Louisiana 🤣🤣 To me everyone expresses their self more openly!

How does it compare to Louisiana?

Louisiana is quite different but it’s the birthplace of jazz! It’s definitely not as diverse as England is maybe it’s because I lead a sheltered life because of my seizures!

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

If listeners could actually have a place to listen to my music, I wouldn’t want it at all big hall! I want it as personal as possible so the emotions hit them! The bigger the place the song looses it touch to me.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

My own style has evolved quiet a lot I have noticed. From when I was little to teenage to now you can hear the maturity the experience of life, the heartbreak, love, pain etc.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I would actually love to collaborate with Riopy I have loved his music since he first started.

How did you find making your new single “Death’s Exile”?

Death’s Exile is about me dying 5 time smothering in dirt, drowning in the bath tub, seizure during the birth of my daughter, drowning in milk yes milk, and my braces locking and stoping breathing! I keep coming back and I figured I was exiled from death. Now don’t get me wrong the sezuires are painful and when your young and that’s all that happens to you death seems very welcome repreve! I figured my card were dealt when I was born and no matter how many times it still wasn’t mine so I decided to write about it!

What message did you want to get across with this release?

No matter how painful the pain is Death doesn’t always except the invitation even if your already there.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Honestly don’t laugh Expedition 33 soundtrack.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Honestly I want them to be able to laugh, cry just feel let it all out.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Omg Depeche Mode best hand down

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

I think three headliners is a bit much for me lol! Tori Amos Martin Gore! No more then 500 people small I would play every night! You caught me off guard with that one.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

It’s never easy this business if it starts to stress you, you’re doing it wrong and step back rethink it!

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

I have a new release coming out call Synesthesia because I see music in colour when I play, so I thought I should finally write about it! Since it is an everyday thing. 🤣🤣 it comes out in six weeks and hope later in the year bigger things.

Listen to Death’s Exile below