BAILEN is made up of siblings Daniel, David, and Julia Bailen, and they have spent a decade figuring out how to be a family and a band at the same time.

They arrived at House of Style having just finished a conversation in the car about whether to stay the thing people first liked them for or evolve. That question runs through the whole episode. They have more than enough songs for another record and tracked the new material live in their basement, just the three of them. They tour in a minivan on purpose, because keeping it lean is what makes it sustainable. Julia makes a lot of her own clothes and buys hats that do not fit. David punched Daniel over a pot of coffee the morning of this taping, and they settle it on mic.

Along the way: what a white T-shirt should actually cost, why most people should get rid of most of their closet, clothing as armor, and Julia's line about wanting every show to feel like a dinner party.

They also stayed and played four songs live, just acoustic, in the room. You can watch all four at youtube.com/@thehouseofstyle

0:00 The conversation in the car

3:56 Julia joins the band at 17

7:07 Three writers, no leader

11:37 Hearing past your first impression

15:15 One word for what you want people to feel

18:41 Real, released, refreshed

22:48 Playing a new song for the first time

26:20 Stay the same or evolve

29:44 Julia buys a hat that does not fit

33:39 Why most people should cut most of their closet

37:34 What a white T-shirt should actually cost

42:51 Dressing three people for one stage

47:18 David's curls and where the budget goes

50:53 Touring in a minivan on purpose

55:14 Julia on being allowed to be a dynamic person

58:05 Clothing as armor

1:02:19 Leaving the label

1:07:42 BAILEN's style in three words

1:12:07 If a stranger wrote your next album

1:16:56 Letting go of chasing attention

1:19:53 Consistency over virality

1:23:07 If the next record were a house

1:26:07 Every show should feel like a dinner party

1:29:41 The coffee incident

1:34:23 Great style starts when

Watch BAILEN perform Kansas Tornado, BRCA (Nothing Takes Me Down), Something Tells Me and Some Things Like You live:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIRLtrocJr8kMXOmJcqF2XRf7GCoNR84f

The Quickfire Round, a bonus episode: https://youtu.be/RxfgZzVZD_M

House of Style is a show about the habits, decisions, and taste that shape an intentional life. Hosted by Grant Alexander, filmed in Chicago.

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Instagram: @houseofstylehq

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Most people don’t struggle because they have nothing to say… they struggle because they don’t know how to say it.

That’s what this conversation with Lulu Simon gets to at its core.

Lulu grew up surrounded by music (the daughter of music icons Paul Simon and Edie Brickell!) but she didn’t step into it quickly, loudly, or entitled. She taught herself guitar in private, wrote songs no one heard, and slowly built a voice that feels completely her own. What’s interesting is nothing about it was forced. It was developed through instinct, taste, and a willingness to follow what felt real instead of what made sense on paper. That, coupled with a willingness to experiment, adjust, grow, and go at her own pace, makes her stylish as hell in our book.

In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to express yourself when you don’t have the words yet… and why that’s where the best work usually comes from.

• How Lulu found her voice without trying to sound like anyone else
• Why “genre is a prison” and how labels can limit creativity
• The difference between making art for an audience vs. making it for yourself
• Writing through emotions you don’t fully understand yet
• Her song “Summer Dog” and what losing her childhood pet revealed about growing up, change, and letting go
• The pressure to constantly release vs. creating something that actually lasts
• Learning to trust your taste... even (or especially) when it doesn’t fit a box

There’s also a bigger theme running underneath all of this…

You can’t fake honesty.

People feel it when something is real, and they feel it when it’s not. And most of the time, the thing you’re trying to say doesn’t come out clean or perfect — it comes out messy, unclear, and unfinished.

But that’s the point.

That’s where your voice actually starts.

If you’re trying to figure out your style — whether that’s in music, work, or just how you live — this one’s for you.

Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano, the dynamic duo behind JOHNNYSWIM, dive into a heartfelt and laughter-filled conversation that feels like a warm hug. Right off the bat, they tackle the realness of creativity and the importance of showing up for each other and their art amidst life's chaos. They share insights on how inspiration often sneaks up while you're grinding away, proving that real work breeds real magic. With candid reflections on their latest album, "When the War Is Over," they explore vulnerability, the beauty of community, and the challenges of balancing family life with a passion for music. It’s an open-hearted chat that reminds listeners to embrace the messy, honest moments that make life—and love—so beautifully complex.

Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind JOHNNYSWIM, dive deep into the heart of creativity, family, and the challenges of life in this open-hearted conversation. They share the laughter and love that fuels their music and relationship, creating an intimate atmosphere that resonates with listeners. The couple reflects on their latest album, *When the War Is Over*, which they describe as their most vulnerable work yet. Abner discusses the inspiration behind their songs, emphasizing the importance of hard work and the sweet surprises that come from dedication. Amanda adds her perspective on how their familial bond influences their music, reminding us that creativity often springs from the depths of personal experience. The episode is a delightful blend of humor and honesty, encouraging listeners to embrace their journeys and find beauty in the mundane moments of life. As they share insights on keeping the spark alive in both marriage and artistry, it’s clear that their love story is as much a part of their music as the notes they play.

Takeaways:

• Abner and Amanda emphasize that inspiration often strikes when one is immersed in the creative process, suggesting that hard work leads to unexpected bursts of creativity.
• The couple discusses how their latest album, 'When the War Is Over', reflects their most vulnerable and honest work, stemming from deep personal experiences and growth.
• They believe that true style isn't just about appearance but is rooted in how one lives and engages with the world, highlighting the importance of authenticity in art and life.
• Abner shares a poignant thought that confronting life's challenges head-on can lead to growth, suggesting that it's okay to sit with discomfort instead of rushing to resolve it.