Good things take time. Not only is that true in the case of New Zealand songwriter Louis Baker, who we haven’t heard from since the single “Addict” a year ago, but also of the music that Baker’s newest release the soul-fuelled, introspective groover that snaps and bumps with the piston fire of the rawest locked groove, smoothed, warmed and informed by one of the finest voices in contemporary music – “Black Crow” (rel.3.5.18).
Written and produced in Sydney in six hours, “Black Crow” sounds like alchemy freed from an artist’s DNA, rather than the chiseled result of time and toil. Produced by Grammy-nominated Steve Rusch (Solange, Miguel, Rhianna), the songs deceptively simple, deeply organic production initiates a song about exorcising your demons, leaving the past behind and gaining wisdom through experience.
Speaking about the inspiration behind “Black Crow”, Louis Baker says:
“The idea of bathing one’s hands in indigo came about through an old Japanese proverb I read. I was fascinated with its idea- that a piece of fabric gets a deeper and richer colour tone if you repeatedly dye it. The proverb has a number of different meanings, but to me it is a metaphor about life, experience and growing wise with age.”
As we may strive to grow wise with age, this is a record that doesn’t try to sound more classic with every revolution, it just does so, effortlessly. It is soul forged from a voice that gets richer with every year, aligned with writing that gets more resonant with every listen. “Black Crow”’s themes of shaking off negativity, and hope are moon-shadowed by Baker’s multi-instrumental finesse, pushing us from sentence to stanza, demanding that his story be told.
It’s the story with wide approval from Louis Baker’s fans who have give him 10 million Spotify plays worldwide for songs including “Rainbow” (4.7 million) and “Addict” (over 850,000). Other notable moments – Finalist APRA Silver Scrolls 2014 with “Back On My Feet”, Nominee APRA Silver Scrolls 2017 with “Rainbow”, Radio Active most played song of the year 2017 with “Gave It All Away”, “Addict” reached #6 on the Radioscope Alt Charts and was premiered on MTV, and Baker was a Red Bull Music Academy 2013 Participant (New York).
UK / Europe Tour Dates
10/05 – Manchester, Band On The Wall
11/05 – Stockton, Ark
12/05 – New Barton, Ropery Hall
13/05 – Chester, St Mary’s A Creative Space
16/05 – Cardiff, Porters
17/05 – Brighton, The Great Escape (3:30pm, One Church)
18/05 – Brighton, The Great Escape (7:15pm, Latest Music Bar)
24/05 – London, The Islington (SOLD OUT)
27/05 – Hemel Hempstead, Strawberry Woods Festival
28/05 – Zurich , Eldorado Craft Beer Bar
29/05 – Cologne, Theater de Wohngemeinschaft
30/05 – Hamburg, NOCHTWACHE
31/05 – Berlin, Baumhaus Bar
02/06 – Amsterdam, Paradiso Kleine Zaal
06/06 – Dublin, East Side Tavern
12/06 – London, The Islington
GET IN TOUCH
info@charmfactory.co.uk
FEATURED CAMPAIGN
