Rhythmism.com
Tuesday, May 24th 2011, 11:05 AM
#1
Q&A with Simon Baker
Simon Baker has played an influential part of the UK house and techno scene for the better part of the last decade. He is an artist that generates his own musical trail through a stand out style, which is purely his own and always current. Pioneering labels such as Cocoon and Playhouse have long since been pressing his tracks, and each of these has helped stamp his dextrous musical talent upon the far reaches of the globe. Constant
travel
and playing
at
the
best
clubs
in
the
world
have
continually
honed
Simon’s
sound
to
the
classic
sounding,
richly
produced
electronic
house
music
that
makes
up
his
highly anticipated debut
album, 'Traces,' released in March on his home label 2020Vision.
You recently finished and released your first Artist Album ‘Traces’. Your fans might say this is way past due. What made this the right time?
I do things when they feel right naturally. I feel I have the experience now to put an album together that isn't just straight club tracks. I wanted it to represent me and my years in this music scene and show my more musical side. Hopefully this shows in the direction I have taken in the album.
Now that it’s done and you have more time, what else do you have in the pipe line? Have you thought about producing more experimental music?
I would like to work with some bands at some point soon. Do some cross over stuff. I am also back in the studio working hard toward making some new tracks with other labels i work with other than 2020. I have kept them waiting long enough. Will be looking at doing some more collabs too with the likes of Debukas, Glimpse and other vocalists. Other than this, I have singles from my album due out across the year with various remixes from the likes of Steve Bug, Burnski & Robert James, Julio Bashmore, Ewan Pearson, Art Department and others.
What were some of the influences for this album, and what was the biggest point you were trying to get across with it?
I like to take inspiration from all kinds of sources whether it be music, people, or subject matter around me. I try not to name certain artists who insipired me, as I am inspired hugely by the different feelings and different sounds all music offers me. The album represents me and my life journey through house music ever since I picked up The Best Of House Vol3 on vinyl when I was 16 yrs old! (I am now 36) Never looked back since.
You released ‘Traces’ on 2020 Records; a label which you strongly support. When did your relationship with 2020 begin, and how has the journey been over the years?
I have worked with 2020 Vision since day one of my career, it’s my home town label (Leeds)that I have been involved with for many years now, so made sense to release with them. I have developed a close working relationship and friendship with Ralph Lawson and the guys at 2020.
You're recently finished a North American tour in the month of May, and based it out of New York City. What made you choose NYC?
Along with millions of others, It's my favourite city in the world basically! i wanted to soak up the vibes here, next time i will try to stay longer in the city. I could quite easily live here. Maybe one day i will. I DO love NYC!
One of the tracks on the Album is called ‘L Train’; is there any connection with the L train in New York?
Yeh, i wrote the initial idea on on my lap top after a day riding the L train one day in NYC last year. Simple as that really
Have you ever thought about becoming an actor?
I thought i already was? Well, thats what lots of people think when requesting me on my facebook as Simon Baker ... The Mentalist. Still trying to work out the resemblance. "Hi simon...i love your acting, Oh, and didnt realise you also made music too !!!" No shit, thats what i get in my inbox. How mad is that? ha... do these people not have eyes.
You live in Leeds, which for many seems quite far from the major/standard hubs. Why does it work for you?
I have lived in Leeds for 10 years now, many people don't realise but within the electronic scene in the UK, Leeds is undoubtedly up there as one of the strongest, lots of international dj's will agree, the vibes are amazing. So many people are into house and techno there, we can have 3 or 4 nights all doing similar styles with all of them packed full, 600 -800 people. and for a city of 1.5 million, its a great thing. The people are just up for a party, so the vibes are great. I played a party last week with Jamie Jones and Jus Ed, called the Asylum Garden Party and we got 2,000 people on a Sunday afternoon! Its crazy, people love it. It's helped my career undoubtedly living there, but in saying that over the past couple of years its just been more of a base for me to travel from , I have my residency there still, and i also have many close friends there, it's a great community feel to the place, but i am ready to move on soon. I will be looking to move to London this summer all been well.
Let’s talk about mom (or is it mum?) and dad: were your parents always supportive of your career choice?
When I was 15 my mother gave me shit about taking a bank loan to buy some Technics. I can remember it to this day, "what the hell are you doing, its a waste of money Simon?" I spent years and years in my bedroom djing, learning about music, and there was also many years of my parents banging on the ceiling telling me to turn it the hell down!!, but when they saw i was doing what i loved and making a living from it, they encouraged it, and have never given me one doubt since. Even when i sold my house to chase this career in my mid 20's, they were like....GO FOR IT !! I respect them for that. They are pretty proud these days, my mother cuts things out of magazines to show her friends; she will ring me saying, "i saw you the other day in Dj Magazine or Mixmag. She doesnt get the music though!
As we all know there is always a story behind each and every song, which track is the most special for you and why?
I think they all represent me in one way or another, but ill go with "Grey Area", because I was in a big "Grey Area" while chasing the music pipe dream, I was very unsure where my life was going and whether I would have to take a full time job again, also the track "Think!" Just because very much the thinker! I can think my way in and out of things in a flash without even doing anything. I have a pretty busy mind usually, which can be a good and bad thing!
Get your digital copy of 'Traces' on www.beatport.com
Get your physical copy of 'Traces' on www.amazon.com
You recently finished and released your first Artist Album ‘Traces’. Your fans might say this is way past due. What made this the right time?
I do things when they feel right naturally. I feel I have the experience now to put an album together that isn't just straight club tracks. I wanted it to represent me and my years in this music scene and show my more musical side. Hopefully this shows in the direction I have taken in the album.
Now that it’s done and you have more time, what else do you have in the pipe line? Have you thought about producing more experimental music?
I would like to work with some bands at some point soon. Do some cross over stuff. I am also back in the studio working hard toward making some new tracks with other labels i work with other than 2020. I have kept them waiting long enough. Will be looking at doing some more collabs too with the likes of Debukas, Glimpse and other vocalists. Other than this, I have singles from my album due out across the year with various remixes from the likes of Steve Bug, Burnski & Robert James, Julio Bashmore, Ewan Pearson, Art Department and others.
What were some of the influences for this album, and what was the biggest point you were trying to get across with it?
I like to take inspiration from all kinds of sources whether it be music, people, or subject matter around me. I try not to name certain artists who insipired me, as I am inspired hugely by the different feelings and different sounds all music offers me. The album represents me and my life journey through house music ever since I picked up The Best Of House Vol3 on vinyl when I was 16 yrs old! (I am now 36) Never looked back since.
You released ‘Traces’ on 2020 Records; a label which you strongly support. When did your relationship with 2020 begin, and how has the journey been over the years?
I have worked with 2020 Vision since day one of my career, it’s my home town label (Leeds)that I have been involved with for many years now, so made sense to release with them. I have developed a close working relationship and friendship with Ralph Lawson and the guys at 2020.
You're recently finished a North American tour in the month of May, and based it out of New York City. What made you choose NYC?
Along with millions of others, It's my favourite city in the world basically! i wanted to soak up the vibes here, next time i will try to stay longer in the city. I could quite easily live here. Maybe one day i will. I DO love NYC!
One of the tracks on the Album is called ‘L Train’; is there any connection with the L train in New York?
Yeh, i wrote the initial idea on on my lap top after a day riding the L train one day in NYC last year. Simple as that really
Have you ever thought about becoming an actor?
I thought i already was? Well, thats what lots of people think when requesting me on my facebook as Simon Baker ... The Mentalist. Still trying to work out the resemblance. "Hi simon...i love your acting, Oh, and didnt realise you also made music too !!!" No shit, thats what i get in my inbox. How mad is that? ha... do these people not have eyes.
You live in Leeds, which for many seems quite far from the major/standard hubs. Why does it work for you?
I have lived in Leeds for 10 years now, many people don't realise but within the electronic scene in the UK, Leeds is undoubtedly up there as one of the strongest, lots of international dj's will agree, the vibes are amazing. So many people are into house and techno there, we can have 3 or 4 nights all doing similar styles with all of them packed full, 600 -800 people. and for a city of 1.5 million, its a great thing. The people are just up for a party, so the vibes are great. I played a party last week with Jamie Jones and Jus Ed, called the Asylum Garden Party and we got 2,000 people on a Sunday afternoon! Its crazy, people love it. It's helped my career undoubtedly living there, but in saying that over the past couple of years its just been more of a base for me to travel from , I have my residency there still, and i also have many close friends there, it's a great community feel to the place, but i am ready to move on soon. I will be looking to move to London this summer all been well.
Let’s talk about mom (or is it mum?) and dad: were your parents always supportive of your career choice?
When I was 15 my mother gave me shit about taking a bank loan to buy some Technics. I can remember it to this day, "what the hell are you doing, its a waste of money Simon?" I spent years and years in my bedroom djing, learning about music, and there was also many years of my parents banging on the ceiling telling me to turn it the hell down!!, but when they saw i was doing what i loved and making a living from it, they encouraged it, and have never given me one doubt since. Even when i sold my house to chase this career in my mid 20's, they were like....GO FOR IT !! I respect them for that. They are pretty proud these days, my mother cuts things out of magazines to show her friends; she will ring me saying, "i saw you the other day in Dj Magazine or Mixmag. She doesnt get the music though!
As we all know there is always a story behind each and every song, which track is the most special for you and why?
I think they all represent me in one way or another, but ill go with "Grey Area", because I was in a big "Grey Area" while chasing the music pipe dream, I was very unsure where my life was going and whether I would have to take a full time job again, also the track "Think!" Just because very much the thinker! I can think my way in and out of things in a flash without even doing anything. I have a pretty busy mind usually, which can be a good and bad thing!
Get your digital copy of 'Traces' on www.beatport.com
Get your physical copy of 'Traces' on www.amazon.com
