I have been joined by Blake Baker who has joined me to answer some questions about his music so you can find out more about him!
Welcome to Totally Music would you like to introduce yourself?
Hello! I’m Blake Baker, I’m a soulful acoustic singer/songwriter from the UK. I’m based in Hertfordshire and perform widely but I’m originally from the midlands.
What go you into music?
Good question! To be honest I’m not sure, I grew up listening to a wide range of different music and always had an ambition to perform, but I was also very shy as a kid so I didn’t start performing to an audience, and writing my own music until I was a student at University. So glad I got over the fear though, it’s been an incredible journey so far, full of brilliant experiences.
Who/what inspires the music you create?
My music is very lyrically driven. There are lots of songs out there that aren’t based on personal experiences, but for my songwriting comes most naturally when you are reflecting on something or someone in your life, and how you feel about it or them.
I’m not only talking about love and breakup songs though, but also things that inspire you, annoy you, or otherwise spark a reaction. Songwriting is a great cathartic exercise for dealing with the troubles and tribulations of existence - well for me it is anyway
You’ve just released your new single “The End Of The Word” would you like to tell us about it?
Yeah it’s called ‘The End of the World’ and it came out on the 7th April. I’m really happy with the song. It plays on the common phrase ‘it’s not the end of the world’ and questions whether there are big issues, both personal and communal which could represent the ‘end of the world’ for us, and how they are dealt with in society and the media. However, it’s not a controversial song, but more a memorable and upbeat bop which tackles some tricky subjects in a (hopefully) refreshing and novel way, and I’m really excited for people to hear it!
How did you come up with the artwork for the single?
I have to give a shoutout to Dan bond @danbondmusic for that. I had the idea of an aesthetic image of the Earth, assembled in puzzle pieces, and therefore sensitive to falling apart, and Dan made it a reality. As well being a wizard with graphic design, he’s also a fantastic acoustic/country musician too - so please go and check out his stuff!
What memories will you take away from the creation of the song?
I am really enjoying the process of bringing music from the start of an idea to the finished project, and for my last few singles I have worked with the wonderfully talented Mark Tug (of Alt/Grunge band The Fishes and I). Mark’s musical production has really brought the track to life with some really interesting ideas and so the studio sessions were great fun. Outside of that, the music video is being released soon, and playing myself in an ‘end of the world’ scenario, held up in a survivalist’s bunker was great fun!
What is your favourite song you have ever written and why?
The PR answer here would be: My latest single (please go listen to it)
However, the truthful answer is a song I’m yet to record, called ‘Mind the gap’. It’s about feeling out of place, which for me is when I’m in a big city (like London) as a country bumpkin. I hope it will resonate with lots of people and I the songwriting came so naturally that I’m really proud of that one.
How do you feel the power of the internet has helped your music career?
Hard to say! Social media marketing can be really helpful, and I have had interactions with people I will likely never meet in person, which feels fantastic. However, the landscape is so overwhelmingly large that I think fostering a local fan base is still a major factor for any musician, and interactions with those people at gigs can provide some of the most fun experiences.
If there is anything you could change about the music industry what would it be and why?
There’s lots of things, but it’s hard to say how. Most people know that streaming is a challenge. It is great for the listener, there’s lots of music for free (or a small monthly fee) at your fingertips, but you need thousands (or more) streams for the songwriter to make any income. There’s lots of ways to try and build yourself up as a musician but it’s very challenging - there’s lots of people doing it!
What’s next for you?
I’ve got various gigs and festivals planned this year, and more music on the way too! I also stream music on Twitch and I’m really enjoying getting to know that community. I’m excited for the future and appreciate everyone that has supported me along the way!
If you would like to check out Blake Bakers Music you can find him here:
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