Nottingham born singer songwriter Joel Baker began his musical journey young taking in the records of Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan, all of which inspired him to pick up the guitar and begin writing himself.
It was initially on cover versions of his favourite artists where Joel first caught the ears and eyes of UK music lovers. His inspired reworking of Kendrick Lamar’s Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe acted as the perfect showcase for his musical abilities and soulful voice.
The song has clocked up more than 160,000 YouTube views and led to Joel releasing a free EP of covers earlier this year. Between Kings Cross and Old Street features new renditions of the songs from the likes of Kanye West, Bob Marley and Kings of Leon and acts as a great sign post to Joel’s musical past, present and possible future.
Since then, Joel has busied himself refining his songwriting skills and performing live. Its work and time well spent as evidenced by his debut EP Long Sleeves. The record, in particular Further Than Feelings, has done much to have his music spread into all the right places with the likes of Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and John Kennedy all singing his praises. M spent 30 Seconds with Joel to find out more…
I first started writing music because…
I loved words, I loved being creative and expressive through words. Before writing songs I used to love writing stories and poems at school. Songwriting was a natural progression after that. Songwriting also came from being inspired musically through music I was exposed to through my teens - people like Bob Dylan, David Gray, Pink Floyd.
I have been making music since…
I got my first guitar aged 14. It was a cheap fender strat, perfect for learning Blink 182 songs on. I got my first acoustic guitar at 16, and that's when I began to write songs.
There’s something naturally reflective about an acoustic guitar, which makes you want to go inside yourself, pick something up from your soul, and come back to the surface and share it with other people.
My music is…
Soulish folk. That's how I'm settling on describing it. But it is what is is. It's my life woven inbetween guitar strings.
You'll like my music if you listen to...
Ben Howard, Van Morrison, Jake Bugg, Ed Sheeran, Amos Lee, Ray Lamontagne. People like that.
My favourite venue is…
Bush Hall, West London. I've just played there supporting Jacob Banks. It’s a beautiful venue.
Music is important because…
It enriches life. Whether that's a high or a low, or a mundane day in the office. Music speaks to us, inspires us, makes us screw up our faces like a John Mayer solo, or nod our head like we're in Dr Dre's customised car.
My biggest inspiration is…
My faith, my friends, and my over-excitable heart.
My dream collaboration would be…
Kanye West.
To try me out, listen to my song…
Further Than Feelings.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
Working in parliament (foreverrrr).
In 10 years time I want to be...
Taller, married, a dad to three kids, sponsored by Martin guitars, a well respected artist and songwriter writing for the most successful artists, and be able to look back on the last decade knowing I did all I could with the gifts I was given.
www.joelbakermusic.com
www.twitter.com/joelbakermusic
www.facebook.com/joelbakermusic
It was initially on cover versions of his favourite artists where Joel first caught the ears and eyes of UK music lovers. His inspired reworking of Kendrick Lamar’s Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe acted as the perfect showcase for his musical abilities and soulful voice.
The song has clocked up more than 160,000 YouTube views and led to Joel releasing a free EP of covers earlier this year. Between Kings Cross and Old Street features new renditions of the songs from the likes of Kanye West, Bob Marley and Kings of Leon and acts as a great sign post to Joel’s musical past, present and possible future.
Since then, Joel has busied himself refining his songwriting skills and performing live. Its work and time well spent as evidenced by his debut EP Long Sleeves. The record, in particular Further Than Feelings, has done much to have his music spread into all the right places with the likes of Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and John Kennedy all singing his praises. M spent 30 Seconds with Joel to find out more…
I first started writing music because…
I loved words, I loved being creative and expressive through words. Before writing songs I used to love writing stories and poems at school. Songwriting was a natural progression after that. Songwriting also came from being inspired musically through music I was exposed to through my teens - people like Bob Dylan, David Gray, Pink Floyd.
I have been making music since…
I got my first guitar aged 14. It was a cheap fender strat, perfect for learning Blink 182 songs on. I got my first acoustic guitar at 16, and that's when I began to write songs.
There’s something naturally reflective about an acoustic guitar, which makes you want to go inside yourself, pick something up from your soul, and come back to the surface and share it with other people.
My music is…
Soulish folk. That's how I'm settling on describing it. But it is what is is. It's my life woven inbetween guitar strings.
You'll like my music if you listen to...
Ben Howard, Van Morrison, Jake Bugg, Ed Sheeran, Amos Lee, Ray Lamontagne. People like that.
My favourite venue is…
Bush Hall, West London. I've just played there supporting Jacob Banks. It’s a beautiful venue.
Music is important because…
It enriches life. Whether that's a high or a low, or a mundane day in the office. Music speaks to us, inspires us, makes us screw up our faces like a John Mayer solo, or nod our head like we're in Dr Dre's customised car.
My biggest inspiration is…
My faith, my friends, and my over-excitable heart.
My dream collaboration would be…
Kanye West.
To try me out, listen to my song…
Further Than Feelings.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
Working in parliament (foreverrrr).
In 10 years time I want to be...
Taller, married, a dad to three kids, sponsored by Martin guitars, a well respected artist and songwriter writing for the most successful artists, and be able to look back on the last decade knowing I did all I could with the gifts I was given.
www.joelbakermusic.com
www.twitter.com/joelbakermusic
www.facebook.com/joelbakermusic
