Canadian singer-songwriter from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Tim Baker has recently unveiled two stand-alone singles, “Half-Built Buildings” and “Songbirds.”
Best known as the writer and frontman of Hey Rosetta!, a Juno-nominated, Polaris-shortlisted, and multi-award-winning band based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. With over 15 years of performing their high-energy spectacle in stadiums, clubs, theatres, and major festivals all over the world, Hey Rosetta! called it quits in 2017. Baker has since transitioned from being the leader and songwriter of a major indie rock band and ascended to a profound songwriter and producer.
Tim is set to play Stanfest in Canso, NS through the weekend of July 25-28.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Tim Baker. I’m from St. John’s, Newfoundland, and I’ve been making music for about 20 years now omfg. Years ago I had a band for a long time called Hey Rosetta! and we went everywhere and it was wild. I have been putting out music under my own name for about 5 years now, and I’m still going everywhere, and it’s still a wild honour.
What does it mean to you to perform at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, a festival known for its dedication to celebrating songwriters?
Well, I’m delighted to be coming to StanFest this year. I’m perhaps mostly known for fronting bands, but I think of myself firstly as a songwriter, and I deeply love the craft. Also a Stan fan (a Stan stan if you will), I’ve been curious about the festival for years. Thrilled to finally be coming.
As part of a festival that honors the legacy of Stan Rogers, how do you incorporate storytelling into your performances to connect with the audience on a deeper level?
I will usually invite the audience into the song, whether that’s sharing how or when I wrote it, going on about the sort of conceptual key to it, or just making jokes about it is perhaps my favourite.
Stanfest is known for its intimate and community-oriented atmosphere. How does performing in such a setting differ from larger venues or other festivals you’ve played at?
Well, I suppose I’ll have to wait and see. As much as I’ve enjoyed playing large festivals and venues, I love people and I love connecting and I love the East Coast, so I imagine this is just my cup of tea.
What new projects or upcoming releases are you working on, and will Stanfest attendees get a preview of any new material during your set?
I’m just mixing a new record right now (due out in the Fall) and will definitely be playing a new tune or two yes indeed.
Collaboration is a big part of the folk music tradition. Are there any artists on this year’s lineup that you’re particularly excited to collaborate with or watch perform?
I’ve collaborated with Nico Paulo (producing her record) and The Once (writing a song for them) and love them all and their music very much. I’m also looking forward to taking in Mallory Johnson, Willie Stratton, and of course Jim Cuddy. And the best is of course discovering a songwriter I don’t know yet.
Connect with Tim Baker:
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