Self-isolating singer-songwriter Michael Baker might have had to cancel his tour, but here the Brighton musician talks Chris Sharpe through the musical journey that resulted in his new album, ‘Salt’ – and why it’s a record to help anyone through a crisis.
Words by Chris Sharpe
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Chris) Hi Michael, where are you today?
Michael) Hi, I’m currently self-isolating in Brighton!
How long have you been making music and what drew you to it?
Both my parents are big music fans. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with music. I grew up listening to Bob Dylan, John Martyn, Cat Stephens, Leonard Cohen so I think there is a big range of music that has influenced me throughout my life.
I went to see my first live gig aged eight, at Earls Court for Oasis’s ‘Be Here Now’ tour. After that I decided guitar was my thing and started to try to write songs (pretty terribly I might add) It wasn’t until I was 25 that I went solo and started releasing my own stuff after a being in a string of bands. Music still excites me and drives me now as much as when I first started making my own. I think the line between passion and obsession can sometimes be blurred! It’s like a scratch you can never quite itch.
What does this album mean to you?
I write quite cathartically and often don’t really realise what a song is about until it’s finished. This whole album is about mental health: the ups, downs and melancholy in-between. Often that strange sense of sadness, even when you’re surrounded by the best people having the best time, it can feel haunting. A lot of the songs are about accepting your state of mind, realising that you can feel sad even in the best of times. By understanding it, and being open, you stop blaming yourself or trying to fight it. Ultimately it becomes a lot easier to deal with. That has been a long process for me, and it was actually looking back through the songs that allowed me to understand that transition I was going through.
What was the process of recording the album like and where did you record it?
The early stages of ‘Salt’ started in the studio with Dan Brown and Oliver Baldwin. While these early sessions with Dan and Oli were really promising, I felt I needed more time to develop the songs than I had scheduled in the studio. I headed back to Brighton to rehearse the songs with the band, and decided to record and produce the album with my long-time friend Ed Martin, playing live in the room with the whole band. Oli (who has mixed Aldous Harding and This is the Kit) then agreed to mix the record and gave the songs a whole new dimension – as well as inviting Jack White’s pedal-steel player Maggie Björklund to play on the album.
I then discovered that my childhood house would be empty for a few weeks while my parents were in the process of moving out, so we stripped it out and moved our own recording studio in, with begged and borrowed equipment from wherever we could source it. All six of us crammed in, drank a lot of wine, got a little stoned, and played all day and night for two weeks till we got most of the album recorded and in the bag. That house meant a lot to me – my family had been living there since before I was born – so it was emotional when they moved out. Being able to make this album there felt like an incredible way to say goodbye; another amazing memory in the home that held so many for me previously.
Which records would you like to be placed next to in someone’s collection?
That’s a great question. I’m not sure I’m quite worthy yet… but perhaps the likes of Cat Stevens, ‘Tea for the Tillerman’; John Martyn ‘Solid Air’; Big Thief, ‘Masterpiece’. Maybe just because I love their music so much at the moment.
You have a band, how did you all meet? Were any of you in previous bands before?
I actually met Tom, Oli and Andrew by touring around Europe with their band, Common Tongues. I was playing solo and then they started playing on a few tracks of mine – and the rest is history. Then I met Freddy (drums) down in Brighton and, after hearing how creative and unique he was, I asked him to join the band. Ed, who produced the record and plays bass on it, is a good old friend from university who I have worked with on and off since I’ve known him. He has also moved to Brighton now. It’s such a creative hub down here!
You seem to tour a lot. Are there any towns or venues that you’ve really enjoyed playing?
The Finsbury in north London is one of my favourite places to play. The sound is always spot on and it's such a great place to showcase your music. I also love a venue in Whitstable called the Duke of Cumberland. Tony and Sarah who run it have worked so hard to bring in the best music from around the world and it has really paid off. It's like a home away from home for me. Amazing sound, amazing people and amazing venue – so definitely check it out.
Last shout out is to a place in Frankfurt called Lotte Lindenberg. Wolfgang and Fakir who run a studio there and put on gigs have become good friends over the years – this place is another home from home and they treat you with such kindness. It’s one of my favourite places to play and visit.
So, what’s next?
Well, since receiving these questions I’ve unfortunately had to cancel my tour of the album due to that dang coronavirus (hope everyone is staying safe!). That’s not to say I’m not keeping busy. I’ve finished writing album three and have some very exciting things in the pipeline in regards to recording it. I’m also gonna be releasing a wonderful documentary of the whole making of the album put together by visual artist Alice Humphreys, and a live album cut from a live gig at Lotte Lindenberg in Frankfurt on our European tour.
Is there any advice you’d offer new bands out there to help them on their way?
Listen to as much good music as you possibly can. Write as much as you can, and when you feel ready, keep releasing and sharing music.
Which artists are on your radar right now?
Big Thief are consistently blowing my mind with all of their music! Check them out!