Bailey Spinn: Unshakable and Unbothered

When vocalist Bailey Spinn first introduced her 2023 debut EP “my worst enemy,” she never could have imagined the online success she would enjoy as a result, even though she admittedly always hoped it would happen.

The TikTok content creator became an almost overnight sensation when she changed up her game, transforming from an online presence to a powerhouse vocalist. “It was definitely a gamble, but my fans stuck with me the whole time, and I am so grateful they did,” Spinn shared with Inked.

The 22-year-old Virginia native first made a name for herself when she hit the music scene at the tender age of 17, amassing more than 15 million followers on TikTok and 1.2 million on Instagram.

When she was starting out uploading covers on YouTube, Spinn said she dabbled with social media as a fun way to conquer social anxiety. “I overcame that barrier, and from there it has just snowballed the entire way,” she said. “I kept practicing and put myself out there way more. I wanted to challenge myself.”

Viral Beginnings

The rising pop-rock artist known for her edgy lyrics and cathartic rock melodies said social media has been a great confidence booster despite dealing with the occasional negative commenters, which reminded her of her adolescence. “I had a hard time in high school, but that all changed when I decided to make music,” she said.

After high school, Spinn was accepted to San Diego State University, where she studied for a year. At the time, her social media presence was taking off, with her posted content often going viral, leading her to make the difficult decision to leave college to focus on growing her social media platforms.

“It was a difficult decision to drop out of San Diego State University and move to Los Angeles, but it was a good decision,” she said. “My mom was a little hesitant but understood that I was able to successfully live off social media, so my parents were supportive of it.”

Last year, she wrapped up her first headlining U.S. tour and released her debut album “loser,” which explores a more mature, grittier sound. Spinn said she encountered some negativity when introducing her new music, so she did what she always does and headed to the studio to transform her emotions into music. She wanted to prove to others that she believed in herself even when others didn’t. The results have been nothing short of impressive.

“A critical step in a heavier direction has been falling in love with heavier music, so I started diving into the genre listening to bands like Slipknot, Spiritbox, Ice Nine Kills, and (singer) Poppy,” the singer-songwriter said. “I just wanted to try something different.”

Spinn believes her confessional songwriting contributed to her fast-track success, especially for the Generation Z age group, who she believes seek that relatable human connection. “They don’t want something handed to an artist,” she said. “I am glad that people appreciate my honesty. It’s also easier when you write lyrics about your own life.”

Over the years, Spinn says she has received inspiration from many powerhouse female artists. “Starting out, Hayley Williams was a big inspiration,” she said. “I went to a Paramore concert and saw that she’s an incredible artist and vocalist. I’m also a huge Amy Lee fan and love Evanescence’s ‘Fallen’ album. I take a lot of inspiration from that era.”

Spinn’s hit “critical” talks about self-destruction, isolation, and the fight to pull yourself back from the edge. The emotional song follows up on the huge success of “fear of going out,” which explores the anxiety and insecurities of the Gen Z population.

Louder than Doubt

“People Magazine” recently named Spinn as one of its Emerging Artists to Watch, signaling a promising future. Her latest single, “homicide,” released on February 13, is an unapologetic anti-Valentine’s Day ode to the love-filled holiday that channels heartbreak, romantic disillusionment, and emotional burnout, which the artist said will lead to a larger project. “I am also looking at some touring and playing festivals this year as well,” she said.

She even has hopes of a possible future collaboration down the line. “It would be incredible to collaborate with Amy Lee or Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox,” she said. “I also love Pierce the Veil.”

While continuing to churn out new music, Spinn said there are a few self-reflective songs that she will always hold near and dear to her heart. “I love ‘runner up.’ That’s the first song I ever made and the first approved demo ever,” she said. “I also love ‘front row psycho,’ which was written as a result of people being mean to me on social media.”

Spinn says her body, much like her raw lyrics, is a creative work in progress. “I definitely want more tattoos and am trying to plan them out a little better,” she said. “I was sporadic when I was younger. The first one I got on a whim when I went to get a piercing and left with a tattoo of a rose on my left hand instead. I got a rose because that’s my middle name.”

With about 55 tattoos to her credit, she has several that pay homage to her music. “I have a crown on my arm that I got for ‘happy ending,’” she said. “Another one I am most proud of is a giant classic floral piece that goes from my knee to my ribcage. It was very painful and took about 16 hours in total.”

One of her most meaningful tattoos features her mother’s name inscribed on her back shoulder. “That one that means the most to me,” she said. “She is one of my most favorite people in the entire world.”

Like her tattoos, Spinn hopes fans grasp the essence of her honesty from her singing and songwriting. “They are a piece of who I am,” she said. “Some people have doubted my real interests, so I want them to know this is who I am. I have put blood, sweat, and tears into all of these songs.”