Alt-pop singer-songwriter and guitarist Baker Grace released her single/music video, “Midnight Thoughts” at the very end of 2021.
Growing up in New Jersey, Baker began singing as a child, followed by learning piano, guitar, and songwriting. In 2015, she dropped Bitter’s Kiss, followed by releasing “Am I Talking to You?” and “Day I Die” via Republic Records.
In 2019, she released her debut EP, Girl, I Know, featuring “Wrong Kind of People,” which amassed more than 14 million Spotify streams. Yourz Truly, inspired by letter writing, dropped in 2020.
“Midnight Thoughts” opens on gleaming pop colors topped by Baker’s inimitable, sylph-like voice, at once delicate and deliciously alluring. With hints of hip-pop rolling through the swaying rhythm, the sparkling melody assumes a captivating flow.
“The stuff that should make me feel good just makes me bat shit / I tried to drive my daddy’s Porsche and then I crashed it / I lose my focus I don’t notice when it happens / It always happens.”
Guitar Girl Magazine caught up with Baker Grace to find out about the inspiration for “Midnight Thoughts,” her writing process, and how her tone is evolving.
What three things can’t you live without?
Books, Music, and Good people.
What inspired your new single/music video, “Midnight Thoughts?”
I wanted to show the visual representation of anxiety and racing against the clock. It is so easy to get lost chasing something and miss out on what’s right in front of you. I wanted to show how you can drive yourself crazy trying to find the love that was there all along.
What’s your definition of tone?
I think tone is an attitude that evokes a certain feeling. It’s what can make a sad song sound happy or a happy song sound sad.
Has your tone changed over time or is it pretty much the same?
I think I’ve been able to home in on my tone and find parts of my voice and style I didn’t know existed. It takes a while to find your true voice as a singer and as I allow myself to be more and more vulnerable, I think my tone is becoming more revealing, emotional, and authentic to me.
What got you into music?
My father was a musician and was always in bands and writing songs. I grew up listening to a ton of different kinds of music and playing and singing with my family. I fell in love with music at a really young age and it has always been my safe place.
Which artists/musicians had the most impact on your sound?
I grew up listening to everyone from The Beatles, to Tupac, to Carole King, to Regina Spektor, to Kanye West to Rihanna. My sound is really a mix of all different things. I love to mix ‘70s singer-songwriter and classic rock chords with hip hop drums, I love strings and I love acoustic guitar. I make music as if it’s gonna be played in a big stadium.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
I am really liking this artist Samia from New York and also think Harry Styles and Justin Bieber are killing it right now.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Inspiration can really strike at any time, whether I’m watching TV, reading, listening to music, or just having conversations with friends. I’m very emotional and so things impact me really deeply. When a feeling or idea comes up that’s too strong to ignore or explain with words, I start creating music.
Which comes first? Lyrics or melody?
Most of the time, it is both at once. When I hear music, whether it be a track or instrument, I just like to free-flow and sing whatever it makes me feel. I do write a lot of poetry so sometimes I will incorporate that into my lyric writing. It is really intuitive for me because I don’t want to get in the way of the song by trying to control it.
What can your fans expect over the next six months? New material? Live gigs?
I am currently releasing a movie soundtrack with the lead single and video “Lullaby.” I am extremely excited to share this. The movie is called Last Survivors and it stars Drew Van Acker and Alicia Silverstone. The next single I am releasing will be in March and it will also have a video (my favorite one I’ve ever done). Before then, I’m going on a mini-tour in Mexico with the artist Charlie Rodd. I’m really looking forward to all the opportunities and I’m super grateful to be able to do what I love.
Note: Baker Grace’s new EP, Last Survivors, is now available.
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