‘Brigitte Calls Me Baby’: Ingenious Chicago Pop-Indie-Rockers Will Send You Into a Time Warp

You’re standing before a stage, the lights dim, and a suave band walks out. Smooth waves of synth and electric guitar riffs fill the venue. You might think you’re back in the 80s listening to groups like The Cure and The Cars. But no. You’re listening to the new band, Brigitte Calls Me Baby.

This band is charming audiences with their style and sound reminiscent of a bygone era. Their name, inspired by the 1960s French actress Brigitte Bardot, reflects the class and sophistication found in their music.

Who is Brigitte Calls Me Baby?

The Chicago band, Brigitte Calls Me Baby formed in 2022. The band consists of vocalist Wes Leavins, drummer Jeremy Benshish, guitarists Jack Fluegel and David Rosendahl, and bassist/keyboardist Devin Wessels. They all met when Leavins, originally from Texas, visited Chicago and was introduced to his future bandmates through a mutual friend.

The band also came together with the help of many musical influences, some of which include, The Cars, Elvis Presley, Tears for Fears, The Smiths, and The Strokes. Brigitte Calls Me Baby’s look and style are influenced by the sophistication of classic films and their stars. These inspirations are evident in the band’s stage appearance as well as their music.

Their debut album: The Future Is Our Way Out

In 2023, Brigitte Calls Me Baby released their first EP titled This House Is Made of Corners, featuring five songs. The EP was a first glimpse into the fresh and alluring style of Brigitte Calls Me Baby. Last August, they released their debut album, The Future Is Our Way Out, which includes all five tracks from the EP, as well as six new songs.

The album opens with the mellow title track, immersing you in Leavins’ vocals. The lyrics explore themes of hope and death, as he sings, “Oh, if life could only be so kind / Then I wouldn’t mind being alive.” These lyrics, accompanied by a steady drumbeat and guitar, evoke the spirit of a 60s ballad.

This retro quality flows throughout the album, as in the tracks “You Are Only Made of Dreams” and “Eddie My Love.” Released as their first single in 2023, “Eddie My Love” is a romantic ballad. It quickly became a favorite during every Brigitte Calls Me Baby show.

At the midpoint of the album, the song “Too Easy” comes on, presenting listeners with another sophisticated melody. The instrumentation, at its finest, echoes the new-wave spirit of bands like A-ha and Depeche Mode. Combined with Leavins’ vocals, which beautifully deliver lyrics on love and reminiscence, this song stands out as one of the band’s most remarkable.

Some other notable tracks from the album are “Impressively Average” and “We Were Never Alive.” Both songs are emotionally epic, with the latter questioning our very existence. The album concludes with the gentle ballad “Always Be Fine,” a song whose melody and lyrics evoke the style of early ’50s Elvis Presley.

Brigitte Calls Me Baby takes the stage

Brigitte Calls Me Baby had an eventful 2024, making appearances on live televison, playing festivals, and hitting the road on tour. In July, the band appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, performing their songs “We Were Never Alive” and “Impressively Average.” Then in August, they performed “Too Easy” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Along with exciting television appearances, Brigitte Calls Me Baby also played at Lollapalooza in Chicago, amongst headliners like The Killers. In November, they performed at the Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City, where their set generated buzz and left fans eagerly awaiting their return.

After the release of their debut album, Brigitte Calls Me Baby began their tour across the U.S. They headlined their own shows as well as supported the group, Airborne Toxic Event. From Chicago to Los Angeles, the band fascinated their audiences and thrilled their fanbase.

A BCMB fan

I had the opportunity to speak with Larry Hill, a Brigitte Calls Me Baby (BCMB) fan from Chicago, Illinois. He told me, “I first heard of BCMB while listening to a local Chicago radio station, WXRT. My wife and I both had the same reaction. ‘What is this? It sounds like 80s music but with a fresh makeover.'”

I asked Larry what first caught his attention about Brigitte Calls Me Baby. He said what first captured his interest was the retro sound of the music, but above all, frontman Wes Leavins’ vocals. Larry said, “So many singers with great voices seem to dial it in these days but with Wes, there’s a quality in his voice that captivates your ears.”

Larry has experienced seeing Brigitte Calls Me Baby live several times. He said, “My favorite part of seeing them live is how precise their live performances are to the recorded versions of the songs. Also, there’s an energy about them which I haven’t felt since I was a kid going to shows at Metro in Chicago.”

Larry’s favorite songs to see live are “Palm of Your Hand” and their cover of Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams.” When talking about “Palm of Your Hand,” a regular on the band’s setlist, Larry said, “The intro which Devin does with his synthesizer sets the tone for the ‘magic’ as I call it. And it’s such a strong opener that you’re just left with your jaw dropped waiting for what’s next.” It’s no surprise, with Leavins being an Orbison fan, that they would cover one of his songs. When talking about this performance, Larry said, “They don’t always play this one, but he [Leavins] captures the essence of the 50s with his voice but the arrangement is very fresh and new.”

What’s next for Brigitte Calls Me Baby?

In May, Brigitte Calls Me Baby toured across several U.S. states, headlining their own shows and supporting Saint Motel. At the beginning of June, the band traveled overseas to Europe, performing in Ireland, the UK, and France. They alternated between playing their own shows and opening for Morrissey.

On June 20th, Brigitte Calls Me Baby will be returning to their hometown to play a sold out show at Metro, a famous Chicago concert hall. In August, the band will be returning to Europe for a few more shows. They have been teasing a second album and fans have been given a nice suprise at shows where they have played new songs. This has been an exciting time for Brigitte Calls Me Baby and it’s only going to get better!