Ever since he first arrived, UK singer-songwriter Blake Baker has always looked to add a fresher and more soul-infused aesthetic to everything he does. And after cultivating plenty of praise throughout last year, he now returns for 2025 to deliver his wondrous new single ‘A Maybe Mind’.
So with the new track out and about, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I first got properly invested in music when I was at University, but not studying music, but Chemistry (I went on to do a PhD in it too – but that’s a whole other story!). In any case, at University, I lived with a busker/musician and he inspired me second-hand to chase after my musical dream that had been lyring dormant for a little while at the time. I am originally from the midlands and currently based in Hertfordshire, having moved down a decade ago. Since getting here, I have gone from the odd open mic, to paid gigs, to releasing original music, to radio play, to playing functions and weddings, to even playing in a huge stadium! So it’s been a bit of a whirlwind of a journey.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
I am very much connected to emotive lyricism. I really like singer/songwriter music, especially impassioned singer/songwriters because the story linking the narrative of the music and the songwriter is the most captivating. I write a mix of indie, singer/songwriter, and easy/listening type music, but would say that emotionally-inspired narrative musicians such as Sam Fender, Bastille, Paolo Nutini, David Gray, and The Lumineers have influenced the development of my music – but it’s always developing I guess!
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
To be honest, while there is a lot of work involved, I like to try and subdue the ‘seriousness’ of making, releasing, and performing music. I think for me the connection you feel when performing for an audience, or when writing a track that really resonates with you (and hopefully others) is what drives me most. In terms of a single moment, I would say my first ever open mic. I received a (likely generous) round of applause after playing a few acoustic covers, and the instant adrenaline boost from the experience was enough to keep me hooked. After that, it’s exciting to push the envelope, performing your own music, and challenging yourself to bigger gigs and new experiences.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
It always starts on acoustic guitar. I play all the time, and between practising songs I like, or doing theory work, I will occasionally noodle some chord changes and melodies. Occasionally I will like the sound of one of them, and when that happens I always have something nearby to record the ideas. I do the music before the lyrics, and in terms of lyricism, everything has to be based on my real life experience for me, so I will often note little ideas for the ‘theme’ of songs down, and eventually marry up the song theme with the recorded chords/melodies, it’s worked for me so far…
How do you find your inspiration for your music and lyrics?
I have partially answered this in the last question, but it is in paying attention to the small details in life. For instance a turn of phrase someone uses, a feeling, or a particular situation that might pop up. When you see something of note in these moments, making a note of them and going from there. A lot of the notes will lead to nothing of course, but some will develop into fully fledged songs somewhere along the way.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
This is quite a hard one to answer. I hope my music gives a listener something. That could be a different feeling, a buzz of inspiration, or an escape, even if for a moment. Music is such a captivating art form, and hopefully if I wirte lyrics that are genuine to my life and make me feel something, they might have that effect on others too.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Broadly, trying to make a splash as a drop in the musical ocean. There is so much fantastic music out there from brilliant musicians. Trying to make a name for yourself is hard because there is such a wealth of music available, and since it takes time, money, promotion, energy, resource, networking… etc. Not only that, but speaking of money, the current nature of the industry means that artists make very little money from their art, with even very popular artists donating a fair chunk of earnings to streaming sites, labeels, publishers etc. It is great for the listeners (lots of music out there and easy to access), but not so great for the musicians.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
It’s a balance of some standalone experiences (big gigs, single launches, getting played on certain radio stations, reaching milestones), and the little things. For instance, for a recent release, I had a stranger reach out to me and tell me they were following me on Spotify and loved the direction of my new music. I had briefly spoken to this person several years ago in a very different context, so knowing that your music can be far reaching is often mindblowing, especially when you see where your song has reached in the world.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I think, as much as you can, you have to operate independently of the industry in some regards. Everyone wants to be popular, successful, and see their music doing well, but chasing streams and trends is too disengenuine to me and doesn’t give me a lot of satisfaction. I am typically my worst critic, and this can occasionally be a good thing, as I will only be happy with music I make if I know it is true to who I am, and I think that is important.
What can fans expect from you in the future?
I am hoping for lots of releases this year, for another one just around the corner. While I don’t have plans for a tour at the moment, I am frequently gigging, with many events planned around the three counties and London in the UK, and looking to stretch further afield too. The best place to stay up to date with that is on my social media. I am @blakebakermusic everywhere, come say hello!
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
While I don’t know, I think that is actually exciting! If I look back to my initial cautious footsteps as I was setting out, I can honestly say I wouldn’t have pictured what I would have achieved by this point. While there are always new heights to aim for and songs to write, it is the unpredictable and tantalising lure of opportunity that pushes me forward, and keeps the journey exciting!
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Listen to Blake Baker’s new single ‘A Maybe Mind’ below.
