The Bapti$$’s “Mister 808” is a Soulful, Empowering Tribute to the Power of Simplicity and the Iconic 808 Drum
Raised in Saskatchewan and now residing on the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, The Bapti$$—the new musical project from multi-instrumentalist Joseph LaPlante—presents “Mister 808,” a raw and captivating track that blends the lush, soulful tones of acoustic guitars with the driving force of the iconic 808 bass drum. This new single is an ode to simplicity and the beauty of God’s creation, capturing a sound that is as confident and peaceful as it is ambitious.
The Bapti$$, a project born from LaPlante’s mid-career rebirth, marks a turning point in his artistic journey, and “Mister 808” encapsulates the essence of his growth. The song’s narrative comes from LaPlante’s long-standing love for the 808 bass drum and his reverence for both family and faith. It’s a sonic reflection of the artist’s world, melding the powerful foundation of the 808 with the introspective beauty of acoustic music.
The Bapti$$ shares,
“The 808 drum has been central to my creative journey. Since I’ve been a creative in the music game, my main go-to sounds have been the 808 bass drum and acoustic guitars. This song is a love letter to that iconic sound.“
The unique production of “Mister 808” relies on simplicity, with little vocal layering and a thin production approach. LaPlante wanted to keep the focus on the story, the feel, and the vibe. His personal touch is evident throughout, with only a guitar lead from collaborator Graham Smith at the end of the track.
Hi there! Let’s start at the beginning—can you tell us about your journey from Saskatchewan to Haida Gwaii, and how that move influenced your sound and your outlook as an artist?
Once me and my wife Carsen Gray had our first child, we decided we wanted to raise our family somewhere peaceful, and we chose the island she grew up on Haida Gwaii. As a musician, my earliest influence as a kid, oddly enough, was the Beatles. I loved how their hooks got stuck in my head. These days, month to month, I have new favourite artists, and we are living in an era where we have so much access, so it’s safe to say we are spoiled.
“Mister 808” feels both stripped down and spiritually charged. Can you walk us through the creative process of making the track—how did it come together?
The Roland 808 bass drum was a game changer, and I wanted to do something to acknowledge my love for that sound. This song came together pretty naturally as I feel it really speaks on where I currently am in life.
You pair the iconic 808 with acoustic guitars, which isn’t a common combo. What drew you to that blend, and what do you feel it unlocks emotionally or sonically?
At first I wanted to just do an acoustic album, but then I thought to myself, no one sonically has done an album pairing those 2 so it’s something simple and easy listening and unique. The songs have some deep concepts but lots of the melodies are easy to sing along to.
How did your collaboration with Graham Smith come about, and what did his guitar work bring to the final track?
I had completed the song, and I wanted to get a little extra something to end it off with. Me and him have done a lot of work, so I sent him the file and left a section for him to leave a tasty guitar lead.
What’s next for you?
I am currently rolling out an EP, and this is my debut. The ep will be called Pop Cult(ure) I’ve been around enough to see the dark side of the business and find a pocket I feel like belongs to me.
Can we expect more tracks in this style, or are you exploring other sonic directions with The Bapti$$ project?
The songs are all a little different, but the choice of sounds and simple layering is definitely a consistent theme.