Nambour drummer and podcaster @baileydrummer doesn’t stop. He’s the Operations Manager of a Maroochydore marketing agency, drummer for several local bands, and even runs his own popular podcast, “Ask a Muso”. Bailey shares life’s magic ingredient (and no, it’s not the cowbell) with Yelo music editor Penny Brand.

I first noticed Bailey at a Dellacoma concert in downtown Nambour late last year.

The Presynct had only recently launched, and it just so happened to be my birthday, so my bestie thought she’d save me from any pity parties and get some sonic salvation down my ear holes, stat.

I distinctly remember two things from that show: the visible love from the musicians’ attending family; and Bailey’s cowbell.

And while I’ve since found that cowbells really aren’t that novel, something about him stood out.

Perhaps it was his youthful appearance and assertive musicianship, but even Yelo photographer Ben concurred: “He’s one of the best drummers on the Coast.”

The 24-year-old’s podcast, “Ask a Muso”, which has seen notable guests such as Dan Kerby, from Bliss n Eso, kicks off its fourth season on March 5.

FOURTH!

The podcast:

Like many creatives who got resourceful in 2020, Bailey’s video platform sprouted from the unrelenting boredom of the harsh lockdowns.

“I was really missing my muso mates and I wanted to catch up with people I hadn’t spoken to in ages,” he said.

“I had the idea that creatives were probably the most bored of all and mental health was at its lowest point. I thought this is a niche, no one is doing it.

“It’s a positive podcast and I think my main message is that the music industry is a community, not a competition. We’re here to help each other.”

The bands:

Bailey plays for Sailing In Space, The Justus Trio, Banned From The Club, and Dellacoma who he toured the US with in 2023.

He’s been playing drums since April 10, 2010, and we know this because he put the date in his grade 5 drum lesson planner.

“I was always tapping about, hitting stuff rhythmically, and tapping pens.”

And while he’s been playing guitar since he was eight, once Bailey set his sights on drumming everything quickly took a back seat.

“I had the Guitar Hero World Tour drum kit, and a couple of other bits and bobs; a drum pad, two cymbals, and a couple of drums.

“Mum and dad said I could keep playing guitar or try something different. Choosing to play the drums was the single most impactful decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

The family:

While the other kids were still figuring out Hot Cross Buns on their recorders, Bailey was convincing teachers to let him start a band.

After a lecture on band etiquette, and a conversation with his parents, Bailey’s music teacher granted him permission to use the music rooms after school to rehearse.

“My drum teacher and music teacher told my parents how determined I was.

“It was the first time our primary school had a band outside of the curriculum.”

However, Lee and Julie Walker didn’t need reassuring that their son’s passion was worth pursuing, surprising a 10-year-old Bailey with his first drum kit.

“I was unbelievably taken aback,” he said.

“My parents have been at all of my gigs. Very rarely do they miss a show. Dad is always behind the scenes.”

The Walkers raised Bailey on a solid dose of Australian 80s music, which he vouches was a “good way to practice sight reading”.

“I have amazing parents.”

The loud noise:

Whenever someone had a bad thing to say about drumming, Lee and Julie would step in.

“People would say things like, ‘how do you put up with it? It must be so loud?’ but my parents would say, ‘we encourage him!’.

“They’ve always told people: ‘it’s his passion, he enjoys it’.

“In 15 years and two states no one has ever complained. The joke’s on everyone who said my parents must hate living with the noise.”

The move north:

Bailey made the bold move to Queensland in 2019, with his parents following suit.

“I couldn’t deal with the hot-and-cold weather anymore, it was always making me sick.

“I had a pretty horrific high school and I didn’t really have many mates. Nothing was keeping me there.

“My dad and I are both volunteer firefighters also, and when that went into turmoil, we all wanted to try something different.

“My older sister had moved out and my parents were looking for the next chapter.”

Lee, Julie and Bailey settled on the Sunshine Coast because it held special memories from their years holidaying there.

“We’d always holidayed in Mooloolaba. We used to go to Solbar sometimes and have a pizza there.”

Finding Erin:

Girlfriend Erin Farquharson is another important part of Bailey’s entourage. She is also an incredible photographer, which comes in handy!

The pair met in 2018 through a Battle of the Bands in Melbourne.

“We remained great friends even after I moved, and after reconnecting we realised we had lots to catch up on.

“She made the same choice I did, which was to move on and start a fresh chapter somewhere more positive than Victoria.”

His own show:

Armed with a Diploma of Music Production from the Australian College of Arts (Collarts), Bailey set about finding his network on the Coast.

After all, he is a digital marketing guru so this guy knows how to enter a new town!

But not before making some music of his own.

His Spotify boasts songs he’s written, performed and produced.

“I have written music to tell stories. I tell deep stories of my time at school, but to a soundtrack.

“If I were to make a Facebook post with my lyrics, people would know all the characters and probably block me, but in a song people think it’s amazing.

“In those songs I cover my experience leaving high school and dealing with bigger themes that I don’t think someone at high school should have ever dealt with: not just break ups.”

Bailey is responsible for almost every part in his music, but down-plays his multi-instrumental prowess.

“The guitar bits are just parts. It’s all in tune, etcetera, but they’re just my secondary instruments.”

I think it means he loves drums, guys!

Finding Dellacoma:

“A friend of mine connected me with Dellacoma (also the frontman’s first name) in 2022.

“I asked him if he could do a song for me and he was all too happy to collaborate.

Dell is a featured artist in Bailey’s song, “Can You Hear It”.

Bailey was having some success of his own on the home front, opening for The Rubens in Mackay in 2021, but timing didn’t always line up with the other bands.

“Dell had also just moved here from Victoria and wanted to get Dellacoma off the ground.

“Dellacoma was asked to open for a Battle of the Bands competition at Vinnies Dive Bar on the Gold Coast, but they needed a drummer.

“I was given the opportunity, but told I had to have eight songs in a week.”

Of course Bailey understood the assignment and smashed it.

“They told me it was the first time they’d had someone who had learnt the parts.”

The US tour:

Bailey joined Dellacoma for their three-week tour of the states last year.

“Dell wanted to go back to the US. He asked all his former players but the drummer couldn’t do it out of capacity.

“So, I was called up.”

Bailey was also the tour’s Marketing Manager, much to amusement of the anchor of Good Day Rochester in New York

But for now, it’s all eyes on his latest project.

“I want to learn more about people that is beyond the small talk.”

Bailey Walker’s “Ask a Muso” kicks off its fourth season on March 5 on all major podcasting platforms.

He plays with Dellacoma on March 22 at The Presynct and March 23 at Villa Noosa Hotel. Tickets: dellacoma.com/live_shows_tours.

Find all Bailey’s going-ons at https://campsite.bio/baileydrummer and on Instagram.