Outside the Ordinary: Harvard-Educated Electro Pop Artist Turns Up the Beat (Interview with Musician Baker)

Meet Baker, a Harvard-educated and classically trained cellist who is beginning to blow up in the pop music genre. Incorporating a mix of 90s trance with a hint of Enrique Iglesias, his catchy electro-pop songs definitely get you in the mood to dance. His passion for music is infectious and evident in his songs.

Baker found his true calling for pop music 4 years ago after he visited LA where he collaborated with DJ and producer Kelly Cole. Since then, he’s had the opportunity to work with Greg Ogan, who produced for Britney Spears, Rihanna and Leona Lewis. Read on to find out more about Baker in his own words.

CM: When did you start forming a passion for music? What reeled you into the pop genre out of all the others like rock, jazz, etc?

B: As long as I can remember I’ve been singing along to the radio and, when it became clear that this is what I’m meant to do with my life, the melodies I wrote and the beats I loved were all pop-oriented.

CM: Who are your all-time favorite artists?

B: I think David Bowie is probably the one that’s inspired me the most. Robyn as well as all pop and dance music from Sweden continue to be favorites as well

CM: You attended Harvard as a cellist major. Do you utilize your instrument in your music currently? If not, is it reserved for the future?

B: I haven’t played the cello in some time now but classical music and especially strings will have a place in my music to come.

CM: What was your family culture like growing up and are they supportive of your career? Was academics a huge deal?

B: From a young age, my parents realized that my love of music and the industry as a whole was not a hobby. But no matter what I wanted to do with my life, an education was still very important. I feel really grateful to have gone to college and to know about different areas of life that I don’t think I would have if I dropped out of school.

CM: We hear you’ve got style. Where would you say your sense of fashion came from and how would you describe it?

B: Most of my family works in fashion but my biggest influence is my grandfather. He looks like he stepped out of a magazine every time he leaves the house haha.

CM: What motivates and inspires you?

B: My motivation comes from this desire to perform and create things for people to enjoy. That search wakes me up every day and wears me out before I go to bed. I’m also inspired so much by films from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I think a lot of what I do stems from images from movies of those eras.

CM: After living in NY and moving out to LA, what differences do you notice? What do you like and not like?

B: I miss Dunkin Donuts! Lol. But really I think most people are in LA for the same reasons so conversations tend revolve around the same topics. I love driving and I love the weather but New York has more variety.

CM: Do you have a favorite hangout spot in LA?

B: Not yet I’ve been spending a lot of time rehearsing and recording but I’ll keep you posted!

CM: What is a motto, quote or saying you live by?

B: Don’t let the bastards get you down.

CM: If there was any advice to give our readers about advancing in the music industry, what would you advise?

B: To not listen to anyone except maybe 1 or 2 people you really trust. If you’re good at what you do and know who you are then every A&R guy or YouTube commenter will mess with your head. Keep focused.

Listen:

Echo (Official Music Video)

Not Gonna Wait (Official Music Video)

For more, go to www.bakermusic.com