London-based producer Bailey Ibbs started producing around the age of 15.
"A friend introduced me to what was ‘Deep House’ at the time," Ibbs says. "From the beginning, I was more drawn to production than DJing, there was something about the creative process that captivated me. I quickly discovered that my school had Logic Pro installed on the computers, and that became my gateway into making music. For my final two years of high school, I practically lived in that computer room during lunch breaks and after school, working on tracks until the janitor would eventually kick me out for the evening.
"Things really started to progress after I graduated from university, where I studied Music Technology and Audio Engineering," he adds. :Even then, the obsession didn't let up. I'd bring my laptop to work and spend my lunch hours making beats, which in retrospect was probably what got me fired! But I have no regrets, music has always been more than just a hobby for me. It's my favorite thing in the world, and I can't imagine my life without it. I still make music with that same intensity and passion I had as a kid in that school computer room, and I always will."
Ibbs says that he doesn't necessarily have a recognizable sound... "And I don't consciously try to enforce one. For me, music has always been about exploration rather than staying within rigid boundaries. Whether it's making people feel like they want to dance, creating euphoria, or building tension, it's all about portraying emotion and evoking a desire. The emotional response is what matters most, if I can make someone feel connected to a moment or shift their mood, then I've succeeded."
His latest release is the Notice The Silence 5-track EP.
"I deliberately tried to explore darker territories and push myself into less familiar sonic spaces. With this project I really focused on creating an emotional energy centered around tension, that feeling of unease, anticipation, and weight that can be just as powerful as euphoria," he says. "I wanted to craft something that sits with the listener, creates atmosphere and draws you into a more introspective headspace. Whereas my previous releases were more energetic and dancefloor focused, designed to move bodies and elevate the energy in a room, this EP takes a different approach."
"The tracks unfold more slowly, allowing space for darker textures and more complex emotional narratives," he adds. "There's still movement and rhythm, but it's more about creating a journey. This shift felt like a natural evolution for me creatively, I’d spent time making music that was about collective energy and celebration, and I wanted to see what I could do when I leaned into the opposite. The title 'Notice The Silence' itself speaks to that idea of paying attention to what's absent, to the spaces and pauses that often hold just as much meaning as the sound itself."
As for gear: "I get a lot of questions about my setup, what gear, VSTs, and monitors I'm using. The truth is, my process is pretty minimal: just a laptop, Ableton, and a pair of DJ headphones. I know that might surprise some people, but it's what works for me. Recently I've started renting a studio space with some friends, which has given me access to proper speakers, and I've been trying to produce on them from start to finish. But honestly, I always find myself gravitating back to my headphones because that's what I've trained my ears on and what feels most natural."
"As for software, I'm running the latest version of Ableton with a handful of VSTs that I barely touch. I've come to believe that limitations are actually one of the most important catalysts for creativity, especially today. We live in an era of endless possibilities, infinite plugins, samples, and tools at our fingertips, which can actually become paralysing. Instead of constantly chasing the next piece of gear or software, I think it's far more valuable to deeply understand what you already have and push it in creative ways. Some of the most innovative music has come from people working within constraints, not despite them, but because of them."
Looking ahead, Ibbs has ideas for 2026.
"Coming off the back of my last EP in late 2025, I'm consciously giving myself some breathing room and time in the studio to explore without pressure," he says. "After focusing so heavily on the darker, more tension-driven sound of Notice The Silence, I want to see where my creative instincts naturally take me next rather than forcing a particular direction. Sometimes the best work comes from allowing yourself that space to experiment, to follow ideas down unexpected paths, and to let the next project reveal itself organically."
"That being said, I'm far from idle. I have some V/A (various artists) compilation appearances coming out in early 2026, which I'm really excited about. Beyond the studio, I'll be touring China, Thailand, and Singapore for the first time, which feels like a huge milestone, there's something incredibly special about bringing your music to new territories and experiencing how different crowds respond to it. I'll also be returning to Australia for my yearly visit, which is always something I look forward to. There's a familiarity and warmth there that makes me feel at home, reconnecting with friends, playing for crowds who've been supportive from the beginning, and soaking up inspiration that I can bring back into the studio."
