Ian James Bain Grapples with the Realities of a Life in Music on New Single “Come & Gone”
Canadian singer-songwriter Ian James Bain, a core member of Nicolette & the Nobodies and guitar player for Jeremie Albino, unveils his latest single, “Come & Gone,” a heartfelt country ballad that reflects on the struggle of trying to make a career in music while grappling with self-doubt, burnout, and the pull of nostalgia. A deeply personal track, “Come & Gone” paints a vivid picture of the uphill battle faced by independent artists, balancing romanticized dreams with the harsh realities of life on the road.
Rooted in classic country storytelling but infused with Bain’s distinctive modern edge, “Come & Gone” blends traditional form with unexpected chord changes, creating a sound that is both timeless and fresh. Lush pedal steel and warm, twangy guitars carry Bain’s introspective lyrics, culminating in a song that feels both melancholic and reaffirming.
Bain shares,
“This song makes me feel a lot of things, but ultimately, it reminds me that I’m in the right lane. It’s easy to second-guess yourself, and even easier to burn out, but at the end of the day, I always come back to this music thing.”
Ian James Bain’s debut album, Where I Wanna Be (2022), earned widespread play on college and community radio, with singles landing on influential playlists such as Gems on VHS’ monthly feature. Now, as he prepares to release a new EP in 2025—produced by pedal steel maestro Aaron Goldstein (Daniel Romano, Kathleen Edwards, Julianna Riolino)—”Come & Gone” offers a glimpse into the growth and authenticity that define Bain’s artistry.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey y’all, my name is Ian James Bain and I’m a singer-songwriter and guitar player. I play on the road with a couple of bands and I like to write and sing country songs when I’m not out playing guitar. I didn’t grow up singing and spent most of my musical career as a player but a few years back I found out that I had a bit of a voice and figured out how to put some words together in a way that people seemed to like. I spend a lot of time on the road and in old bars. I like to eat hot dogs and drink cold beers and I really like singing my songs for people who are willing to listen.
Ian, your new single “Come & Gone” feels incredibly personal. Can you walk us through the inspiration behind this track and the emotions you were hoping to capture?
I wrote ‘Come & Gone” a few years back. I was unhappy, and mostly unemployed aside from a few shifts a week at a bar. It was shortly after the pandemic and I was trying to make a go at this singing thing and struggling to make ends meet. I was getting gigs but they were rough and I was spending nearly every weekend driving to some small town bar and playing for 3 hours to make a couple of bucks. Some gigs were good. A lot were bad but I didn’t have a whole lot of options.
I remember driving 2 hours back from a 4-hour gig and asking myself why the hell I was doing all this, but also longed for a time when live music was more present and appreciated and when someone like me could actually make a reasonable living. I never wanted to be the guy annoying people trying to eat their dinner but here I was and it was hard to keep myself going.
In writing this song I worked through a lot of those feelings. Yeah, it’s tough and yeah there are many easier and more lucrative paths I could have taken in my life but I’d tried to get a straight job many times before and put this music thing to the side and I was miserable. I’ve learned that this is something I have to do. When I don’t I start to lose it.
The first and second choruses put those feelings in contrast. The first is about the struggle of the music business, the second is about the struggles of living a life I don’t belong in.
For me, songs have always been a way of figuring things out and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than therapy. ”Come & Gone” blends classic country storytelling with modern elements.
How do you think your unique style and sound have evolved since your debut album, Where I Wanna Be?
I love classic country music but I’m also just a music nerd who grew up listening and playing just about every kind of music you can imagine.
I worked at a record store for years so I was fortunate to get to listen to a whole hell of a lot of music that is now deep in my bones. I also studied jazz in university so that’s still kicking around somewhere in these hands when I’m playing and writing.
When I wrote ‘Where I Wanna Be’ I was being a little stricter on what I allowed to come through in the songs. I wanted it to sound and feel more traditional and I think it was successful in that regard. With ‘Come & Gone’ and the rest of the EP I allowed some more of myself to come through while still wanting to keep it tight and undoubtedly a country song. There are a few odd chord changes in this tune that might stand out to some and the melody is a little more modern and pop-oriented but it’s still very live and organic and has a whole hell of a lot of pedal steel so it definitely feels like a country song.
You’ve been part of both Nicolette & the Nobodies and Jeremie Albino’s band, but “Come & Gone” feels like a very personal reflection of your own artistry. How does it feel to have a solo project that’s all your own?
Nicolette and I have been musical partners for years and I just finished a 2-month tour with Jeremie as a side man I feel very fortunate to be a part of both of these bands. I love playing guitar I always do my best to serve the music and play my part in the band but songwriting and leading my own group gives me a completely different outlet for musical and personal expression. I love to collaborate and I have a great bunch of musicians that I’m playing with these days but it is nice to have a certain amount of control and the ability to execute whatever vision I have for something or whatever I’m hearing in my head.
I love being a part of the team but it sure feels nice to be the captain every once in a while!
As you gear up for your new EP release in 2025, what can fans expect in terms of sound and themes? How does “Come & Gone” set the tone for what’s to come?
The EP sounds great. All the players and my producer/pedal steel man, Aaron Goldstein, did a fantastic job and I’m very happy with it.
There are maybe a few fun curveballs in there but I think, people who are fans of my music or just general fans of country music, old and new, will find a lot to like. The themes are all fairly personal. I don’t really know how to write a song about something that I’m not personally invested in or experiencing first-hand.
It took a while to figure out what song to lead with but I think Come & Gone was a good primer for what’s to come on this EP. It hits a little harder and feels a little more focused. Hopefully, it grabs people when they hear it and sticks with them. The rest of the EP will build on that with a few left turns and at least one tear-jerker along the way!
Finally, when can fans catch you live?
Catch me at any of these shows around Ontario!
April 11 – Biltmore Theatre, Oshawa w/ Jacob Henley and Melissa Payne
April 21 – The Drake Underground, Toronto w/ Baby Jake and The Commune
April 25 – Collective Arts Brewing, Hamilton w/ Deep Dark Woods
May 7 – The Cameron House, Toronto w/ Marley Hale and Benjamin Valley