Louis Baker

Overview

While awkward televised talent quests can make it hard to believe, our country is actually quite the musical talent pool. Last week, I was lucky enough to witness the rising star of one Louis Baker, and if you haven’t heard of him before, you need to start paying attention.

Touted internationally as ‘one to watch’, Louis Baker is one of the most promising new acts to rise to the surface of New Zealand’s music scene of late, combining a rich and soulful voice with superbly refined lyrics for an understated yet completely enthralling sound.

Born and raised in Wellington, the singer songwriter was given the chance to fine-tune his sound alongside industry experts at the Red Bull Music Academy in New York last year, before heading to London to record his five-track EP with producer Andy Lovegrove of Breaks Co-Op.

The songs are simple arrangements of vocals, guitars and strings, leaving the door wide open for Baker’s mesmerising melodies and frankly emotive lyrics. Strumming the opening chords of the EP’s opening track, Birds, Baker unleashes an achingly raw voice that spills all of his grand ideas of love and loss and a young life full of possibilities onto the floor before you. It’s a modern and refreshing form of soul - neither nostalgic nor stuffy. It’s a wonderfully rich vocal tone paired with perceptive and incredibly mature lyrics Baker exerts that makes for a totally enthralling performance.

To celebrate the release of his self-titled debut EP (available on iTunes March 21), Mr Baker is embarking on an 8-date North Island tour, gracing the Tuning Fork in Auckland on Friday 28 March. I recommend you lock down a ticket or iTunes pre-order (or both) as soon as possible – no one likes a slow poke.