Liam Bailey’s knocked about with collaborators like Chase & Status and Amy Winehouse, but the singer-songwriter’s come into his own with his soulful blend of blues and dub. Wonderland catches up with the man himself ahead of his headline gig at Cargo.

What are you working on at the moment?

This year I've been really fortunate gig-wise as all of my shows have sold out. My sound has truly started to take a solid form that’s unique to me as an individual and although the lows bite lightly at my ankles, I'm finding a lot of positive things are coming my way. I've been touring, writing with Chase & Status again, and doing a lot of collaborations with people from different scenes & genres which I plan to keep doing. I'm fortunate.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

From life, really…. Does that sound cliché? From lots of things: memories or ambitions, wants, losses, gains. The fakery of our fickle systems. The beauty in truth.

Are your songs written about genuine past events/ relationships?

Of course, yes. I'd be a fake if not. I really find it difficult to sing things I haven't been through.

How was it growing up in Nottingham?

Sound. I never got shot, anyway! My mum and dad are hard workers so I was fed and clothed well. I got bullied a few times and most likely bullied a few kids on the way. I shouted at the teacher but never swore at my mum. I got a thorn stuck in my knuckle once picking blackberries and I never found dock leaves to be a particularly soothing remedy for nettle stings. I had a big LP collection. Pretty bog standard stuff really.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

God. Or my 12-year-old self.

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