ABOUT
M.E. Baird (Matthew Ede Baird) is a remarkable and mysterious talent. Not only is he a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, musician and lyrical poet, but he is also a prize-winning visual artist. His creative output is vast, broad, and singular in its style, existing far from the mainstream.
From his deep, lamenting voice, dark, emotive songwriting and haunting compositions to his intricate, thought-provoking artworks and lectures, M.E. Baird is an artist in every sense. Originally from Melbourne, M.E. Baird has lived in many places since, each a unique chapter in his life and art, and has been based in Bundjalung Country (Northern New South Wales), Australia, for the last decade.
"From darkness and despair to passion, devotion and candid honesty, M.E. Baird's live performances are nothing short of compelling. With his deep lamenting vocal style and singular stage presence, never before have we witnessed an artist-performer who, armed only with a voice and a haunting electric guitar, can take you on a cinematic journey, panning through rooms, streets, cities, landscapes, and the interior of the mind."
Holden Hill Music
M.E. Baird began his musical career in Melbourne in the late 1980s as part of Melbourne's post-punk, rock, and folk scene before embarking on the UK and Europe in 1998. He returned home and relocated to Sydney in 2000 to pursue an academic career in art and design. His music career would go on the back burner until 2004, when he returned to Melbourne and began writing songs and recording again, culminating in the release of four critically acclaimed solo albums, as well as numerous recordings with other bands. Early in his career, M.E. Baird also had the great fortune to share the stage with some of his favourite and most influential Australian musicians, most notably Roland S. Howard, Spencer P. Jones, Chris Wilson, and Ed Kuepper. Each of whom would leave a profound impact on his career.
In 2010, under the musical pseudonym 'Lionel Lee', M.E. Baird released the album 'Mysteries of the Mind; Vagaries of the Mind', which was awarded runner-up for Best Rock-Folk Album of the Year by the AGE EG in Melbourne. Initially, the album was predicted to take first place, but its long title ultimately led to its downgrade. Tragically, Lionel's life ended abruptly shortly thereafter.
Behind the persona of 'Lionel Lee', M.E. Baird faced the devastating loss of six family members within three years, including his mother, sister, father, and the barbaric murder of his nephew, who was just a year younger than him and more like a brother. M.E. Baird was far from immune to hardship in his life, but overwhelmed by grief and loss, he succumbed to a period of profound depression and crippling anxiety, and the future seemed bleak.
However, in 2015, M.E. Baird relocated with his partner and young daughter from Victoria to Northern New South Wales. With a renewed sense of direction and a head full of songs, he decided to record and release music under his own name, albeit using just his initials. This led to the release of two critically acclaimed solo albums: 'Fall' and 'Time'. Art, music and the love of his partner and daughter would save his life.
ALBUM PRESS
"The slowly developing, intimately held tracks, which are neither folk nor country, but maybe a Cohen/Cave-inspired interpretation of both, are meant for the small, dark, alone spaces of your life. Being also a visual artist, there is no surprise that his songs are often described as possessing a distinct visual richness and depth, where each song can be like cinematic vignettes."
★★★★ - Sydney Morning Herald
"Deeply emotive, whether in the carefully crafted lyrics, the music itself, or his deep, lamenting, singular voice, emotion drips from everywhere; it trickles down walls and pools on the floor. It aches and hurts...and it’s beautiful."
★★★★ - Rythmns Magazine
"His songs are visually rich, possessing a novelistic quality that is dark and warm. The music of M.E. Baird cajoles and challenges. Images flow and tunes beguile. A treat."
★★★★ - The Music Collective
"Baird speaks of lost loves and scarred hearts, and while he paints life in a harsh light, he still finds something to hold onto, be it a memory or dream not yet faded. This dark folk at its finest, sad, bitter, and beautiful."
★★★★ - The Brag Magazine, Sydney
"There is a haunting quality to M.E. Baird’s music, a type of dark folk and blues noir that permeates the songs. Baird knows how to balance the beauty successfully and the despair."
★★★★ - The Music (Australia)
