Project Description

‘AMNplify Snapshot’

CAITI BAKER

SUNSET SERIES

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Cat Baker

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How would you describe your journey in the music industry so far, and where do you want to go from here with your music? 

Woah! What a question! I feel like I’ve had 2 major chapters in the industry. The first chapter with my previous band ‘Sietta’ circa 2008–2015 and the second chapter – which I’m still in, which is the Caiti Baker chapter – the last three years. At the risk of sounding cheeseball, music – creating and performing it, is my life. I would be doing it in no matter what the circumstances. I guess my journey in the Industry began being a child and growing up watching my father negotiate the scene. Then entering it myself in my early 20s. It’s always been a fact of life. So it’s had it’s ups and downs, positives and negatives. I don’t know any other way to live to be honest, I’m just grateful and humbled by the fortunate situation that I’m in as I have an amazing team around me who support what I do and believe in me.

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When did you know you wanted to make music, and perform as your career? 
Having grown up in the family of a musician, I was never disillusioned by the Industry. It can be a tough place and for the most part, we musicians are a sensitive breed. So initially, I didn’t want to be a full time musician – I wanted to write songs for other people and work in graphic arts or event management. But, fate had something else in mind and I couldn’t deny the sense of peace I felt when on stage, singing and performing. My desire to be a full time musician hit in my early 20s. It’s funny how things work out cos I’m also a qualified graphic designer and when I’m not writing, recording or touring, I assist with running community based events and festivals!

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Who have been your musical influences or artists you have admired growing up? 

Growing up on a healthy diet of blues, soul, country blues, R&B, gospel and rock and roll, I have a plethora of musical influences. I admired Big Mama Thornton, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, the A cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, Sue Foley, Bessie Smith, Ray Charles and Little Walter… just off the top of my head. When I was in primary school I discovered Aaliyah. Aaliyah, to this day is one of my biggest musical influences and the admiration I have for her spans more than just her music. Her live performances, her dancing, her style, production partners, her vision – everything about her, I admire and have learnt so much from.

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Are there any artists or musicians that you have been so impacted by that it changed your view on life or mentality toward music? 

To be honest, this is a continual experience I have with a lot of artists… all the time. My production partner James Mangohig is an artist that challenges my musical mentality – he’s also introduced me to a lot of music that I wouldn’t otherwise seek to find. Because of my relatively “streamlined” upbringing with music, I missed out on a lot of genres, bands and songs that the majority of my friends just know because they know. It would hurt many a passionate lovers of music to know that I haven’t ever sat down and listened to a full Beatles album. I know virtually nothing about the band. But I know that when I do sit with their discography, I’ll be impacted in ways that only the unwritten songs in me will be able to describe! There are many bands, artists and songs that I need to get acquainted with! As a general rule of thumb, it’s the genre-bending artists have a strong impact on me. For instance, Ecca Vandal’s music hits me in all the right spots as does Zeal & Ardor; Son Little, Nao etc.

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How would you describe your sound, and why is it unique from other artist’s sound? 

My sound is Blues influenced Soul meshed with bass heavy Hip Hop sprinkled with various influences of my past and the sounds I imagine in the future. My sound is unique because my upbringing was unique; my exposure to music in those ages of nurture was unique. My debut album ‘Zinc’ is thematically based on guitar riffs that my dad played into a shitty Nokia phone and somehow transferred onto a USB key. That sound is unique. The production combination of James Mangohig and Michael Hohnen and myself is unique. The melodies, harmonies and vocal arrangements I create are unique and with all these unique elements combined, you have a sound that sounds like no other. I’m proud of that.

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What can fans expect as far as upcoming tours, or music after SUNSET SERIES in Feb? 

I have a few shows in Melbourne – a headline show at the Northcote Social Club with my homies Tasman Keith and Alice Skye supporting… I’m playing the St Kilda Music Festival, the Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca and another show in Melbourne city. You might see me on stage with A.B. Original at some stage too! In March, I’m excited to play the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival – a festival I grew up at, a festival that has been on my bucket list to play since I can remember! Pretty amped about that one!

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What are your goals for 2018 with your music career

Touring Overseas and releasing new music. I’ll be going to the UK in May and I’m stupidly excited about that.

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If you weren’t working in the music industry, what else do you think you would be doing with your life right now? 

Most likely youth work or graphic design. 2 jobs I do in tandem with my life in the music industry as it is, so probably just that! Or maybe something more nature based? I would even consider going back to study even…

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What’s one song fans might be surprised you really like? 

I’m a fan of Kerser and I love the Spice Girls. Take your pick!

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Do you have one performance that stands out so far as being your favourite, or most memorable? 

Playing Womad in 2017 was pretty special. I mean, it’s hard to pick favourites cos every gig is different and it’ll be a favourite in some variable category because at the end of the day – performing is an amazing opportunity that I’m afforded and I’m very aware that I could be doing something that doesn’t attempt to maximise my full potential. So each performance is a stand out in it’s own way – I mean, performing at Queenscliff Music Festival with just a guitarist and myself was incredibly enjoyable, as was performing with my full band at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues…

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Lastly, just for fun – If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose? 

Ooooh, I’m a mad foodie. This is a fun question but also difficult… the food that I would choose would be a plate of beef brisket, coleslaw and sweet potato. I can’t choose just one food… Fried Chicken. OK, I choose fried chicken.

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Cat Baker

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Connect with CAITI BAKER

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AMNPLIFY – DB

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Interviewer Details