From his first public performance crooning in French at the age of six to recording his first demo tracks on a series of old tape recorder decks, Bam Rigby has always found innovative ways to merge sounds from early influences like Elvis Presley, Duran Duran, The Who, Kate Bush, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles & The Beach Boys with that of his multicultural upbringing. Bam’s past releases have garnered attention from popular media outlets and radio stations such as American Songwriter, MTV, Paper Magazine, BBC Music, KCRW, and LA Weekly.
NYC-based indie-rock/pop artist Bam Rigby explores the emotional frustrations of modern relationships on “Complicated,” a folky, 70s-infused single about remaining in situations that no longer feel right. Built around the experience of feeling trapped in a familiar cycle, the track captures the difficult balance between knowing something needs to change and finding the courage to walk away.
At its heart, “Complicated” draws from a personal relationship in Bam's past, involving someone who made even the smallest things unnecessarily difficult. His decision to stay because familiarity felt easier than starting over gives the song an honest emotional foundation. Rather than presenting heartbreak as a straightforward experience, Rigby examines the hesitation, attachment and uncertainty that can keep people from making necessary changes.
Musically, the single combines a steady rhythm, background harmonies and raw lead vocals, creating an accessible indie-rock/pop sound with a folky character. Its production approach is particularly distinctive, favouring live instrumentation and vintage analogue equipment over modern digital processes. This gives the recording a natural, lived-in quality that complements the vulnerability of the performance. The 70s influence also connects the track to Rigby's earliest experiences making rough bedroom demos, while reflecting the more fully developed artistic direction he is pursuing today.
Co-written with British songwriter and producer Frankmusik, whose credits include Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys and Ellie Goulding, “Complicated” also benefits from an experienced creative collaboration. As the second single from the upcoming debut album “Sometimes I Forget to Breathe,” it offers a promising glimpse of the project's analogue-focused identity.
Ultimately, Bam Rigby delivers a relatable reflection on difficult relationships, familiarity and the challenge of choosing a fresh beginning.
