- Culture
- 04 Jul 22
Bjorn Baillie has only been releasing music as the Jonah Medal since early 2021, but he's come a long way already in forging a unique sound.
Bjorn Baillie (aka the Jonah Medal) has shared his third single in the form of 'Dopey's Song', following last year's 'Septembering' and 'From M to M'.
Founded in Brighton, UK in 2020, The Jonah Medal began as a creative mission for Baillie to challenge his own forward musical progression, turn backwards and deeply inwards, and embrace the familiar.
'Dopey's Song' begins with nostalgic, soothing piano chords and a warm melody as The Jonah Medal tells the story behind the track's narrative.
An acoustic guitar melody joins the piano, as Bjorn's raw vocals remain strong and powerful. A quaint childhood tale about not realising what he was missing until he fell in love. "From the moment that he'd seen her / sleeping in that old shed / he kept a little dream inside his mind," he croons. "But what would all the other boys have said?" Strings further the poignant energy of the song, which exudes the atmosphere of country-rock and traditional story craft.
Baillie’s own creative journey had taken him around the world once already with his hometown band La Rocca. He spent his 20s with them; signing a major record deal, posting up in LA and touring with the likes of Phoenix, Jet, Silversun Pickups, and more.
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While based in LA, Baillie logged countless hours collaborating with artists of every genre; in the process, cultivating a deeply personal connection with the musical legacy, the lifestyle and the inhabitants of the legendary Laurel Canyon neighbourhood.
There is a through-line from Baillie’s “Laurel Canyon period” into the new music of The Jonah Medal – the bare honesty and humanity of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, the soulful lyricism of Crosby, Stills and Nash and the humour of Randy Newman. With his new-found perspective and experience of a well traveled artist and a father; Baillie's latest project found its core themes.
Listen to 'Dopey's Song' below.