Premiere: Fables Unveils 'Portraits' EP

Auckland-based indie-folk artist Jess Bailey has shared Portraits, the long-awaited new collection from her project Fables. An seven-track showcase for Bailey's gorgeous voice, instrumental prowess and evocative storytelling skills, the artist is joined by a parade of special guests to embellish her musical creations, verging at times on the epic scope of wide-screen chamber-pop. Bailey and band are heading out for an extensive tour of Aotearoa, kicking off tonight at the Katikati Folk Club in celebration of the collection, the debut release from "the first true and exclusive folk music label in New Zealand" Second Hand Records. Bailey kindly took time out to lift the lid on the EP's origins - read her words, check out the updated tour details and listen to Portraits below...

"Our EP is a bit of collage, different parts recorded in different places and glued together by Steve McGough. What initially started as an endeavour to record a few live tracks at the Wine Cellar over Easter then turned in to months of indecision and untangling ideas both in my own living room an Scott Seabright's home studio. 'Portraits' is a project of favours that was not without do overs, or false starts and the odd financial crisis. Although, I have a feeling that this is not an unusual narrative among other musicians.

My decision to work with Second Hand Records was pretty simple. Finn McLennan-Elliott has been booking the majority of our shows for almost as long as we have been playing shows. He is the Artistic Director for the Auckland Folk Festival and has been working very closely with the folk music community both nationally and internationally. When he told me he was looking to start a record label I had to be involved. Finn also happens to be my partner, so there is no doubt about it, we are definitely on the same team.

I haven't managed to think about of the rest of the year yet! We will tour the EP this September and then when things get back to normality I think I'll go back to writing songs and painting paintings for a while."

Fables - Portraits Tour

Friday 7th September - Katikati Folk Club
Saturday 8th September - Auckland, Wine Cellar
Friday 14th September - Interislander
Friday 14th September - Picton, Le Café
Saturday 15th September - Nelson, House Concert
Sunday 16th September - Christchurch, Blue Smoke
Wednesday 19th September – Okarito, Donovan’s Store
Friday 21st September - Invercargill, House Concert
Saturday 22nd September – Sherwood, Queenstown, supporting The Beths
Sunday 23rd September - Dunedin, New Edinburgh Folk Club
Tuesday 25th September - Interislander
Wednesday 26th September - Wellington, House Concert
Friday 28th September - Palmerston North, Globe Theatre w/ guests
Saturday 29th September - Paekakariki, St Peter's Hall w/ guests
Saturday 13th October - Raglan, Community Theatre
Monday 15th October – Auckland, The Bunker