Fresh off a festival run and two tours, Oxford based new wave chamber-pop band Blue Bayou have released their third single ‘Carousel Song’.
Seemingly emerging from thin air in Spring 2023, Blue Bayou took Oxford by surprise when they hosted and sold out a string of debut performances at the Jericho Tavern, Modern Art Oxford, and The Library, developing a reputation as an exclusive, “infamous” live act (BBC) for their eclectic and confounding live performances.
A UK tour supporting Max Blansjaar and the band’s own headline appearances in London and Brighton followed, with the band consistently welcoming larger stages and crowds: in 2025, they shared a stage with Jacob Alon at Wilderness Festival and played the main stage at Love Trails and in 2024 they headlined Sunday at Riverside, after Beam Me Up. Blue Bayou are currently the in-demand support act in venues in Oxford: they’ve been main support for Brown Horse, warmed stages for European acts the Klittens, New Yorkers like the Jeanines, and locals like Danny Mellin at the O2 Academy 2.
‘Carousel Song’, produced by Chris Barker (Willie J. Healey), shimmers with the magic of mid-winter: tracking to tape, and self-producing at a home studio, Blue Bayou eschewed a clean recording in favour of the warm texture of overtones, tape hum, and rack reverb. The opening verse seemingly hosts a world of distant strings and bells, while only a parlour guitar was being played. The bass which then enters evocatively re-harmonises these understated chords. It’s as if the ground beneath you is shifting, while the violin, vibraphone, and makeshift percussion, swirl in the air above. All of this is to situate the listener in an old, familiar, world of wonder, magic, and loss.
Blue Bayou are also well-loved for their collaborations with artists over merch, posters, and artwork. They became synonymous with Fiona Cameron’s ever-popular Rabbit in a Boat logo, posting it all over Oxford and Brighton and they’ve sold over three batches of t-shirts and tote bags with the design. For the new single release, they commissioned artist Beth Simcock to respond to their music. ‘Carousel Song’ proudly displays the third detail of her painting, to be fully revealed come the awaited release of Blue Bayou’s debut EP. The band will also be releasing a ‘Carousel Song’ live session, produced by Alexander Sokolow (Tugboat Captain) and filmed by Willow Senior’s production team. Blue Bayou are also heading out on a UK to support the single release. See the dates and find tickets here: https://blue-bayou-band.com/
‘Carousel Song’ is released 30th January 2026.
