Wicklow's The Jonah Medal shares new single 'Dopey's Song'

Bjorn Baillie (aka the Jonah Medal) has shared his third single in the form of 'Dopey's Song', following last year's 'Septembering' and 'From M to M'.

Founded in Brighton, UK in 2020, The Jonah Medal began as a creative mission for Baillie to challenge his own forward musical progression, turn backwards and deeply inwards, and embrace the familiar.

'Dopey's Song' begins with nostalgic, soothing piano chords and a warm melody as The Jonah Medal tells the story behind the track's narrative.

An acoustic guitar melody joins the piano, as Bjorn's raw vocals remain strong and powerful. A quaint childhood tale about not realising what he was missing until he fell in love. "From the moment that he'd seen her / sleeping in that old shed / he kept a little dream inside his mind," he croons. "But what would all the other boys have said?" Strings further the poignant energy of the song, which exudes the atmosphere of country-rock and traditional story craft.

Baillie’s own creative journey had taken him around the world once already with his hometown band La Rocca. He spent his 20s with them; signing a major record deal, posting up in LA and touring with the likes of Phoenix, Jet, Silversun Pickups, and more.

While based in LA, Baillie logged countless hours collaborating with artists of every genre; in the process, cultivating a deeply personal connection with the musical legacy, the lifestyle and the inhabitants of the legendary Laurel Canyon neighbourhood.

There is a through-line from Baillie’s “Laurel Canyon period” into the new music of The Jonah Medal – the bare honesty and humanity of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, the soulful lyricism of Crosby, Stills and Nash and the humour of Randy Newman. With his new-found perspective and experience of a well traveled artist and a father; Baillie's latest project found its core themes.

Listen to 'Dopey's Song' below.