The brilliance of Tim Baker strikes again. This month, the former Hey Rosetta! frontman was set to walk into the East Coast Music Awards with seven nominations for his debut solo album Forever Overhead, and while that particular spectacle might currently be on hold, we’re already being treated to the next installment of Baker’s solo career.
With Baker back at the keys, “Survivors” offers a message of perseverance and a gentle reminder that our current predicament is a marathon that might be endured gracefully rather than a mad sprint for last bog roll.
Eschewing any concept of traditional genres, “Survivors” is an innovative smorgasbord. While Baker takes his familiar place on keys, coaxing out a melody with a few gentle chords, the song quickly expands to something less familiar; the way Radiohead might subtly approach a folk-dance vibe, and then top it off with Justin Vernon-esque flutter of horns.
Do we usually find ourselves dancing to a banjo-based groove? No, but these are unprecedented times.
“Survivors” is out now via Arts & Crafts and AWAL, with vinyl EP pre-orders available immediately until July 10th, 2020.
Baker will also be performing two Survivors EP release shows via Side Door Access, presented by the Winnipeg Folk Festival on May 29 and 30.
To keep you happily at home and living your best quarantine life, Baker has announced a special Artist Survivor Kit.
“Heeyyy sweet pre-order bundle goodness online today,” posted Baker to his Instagram. “Since everyone’s coming together to help each other, I asked some of my closest and most creative friends to include their art in this ‘Artist Survivor Kit’ pre-order bundle, for my new EP ‘Survivors’. The single (also called Survivors) is out now (link in bio). This bundle includes: Survivors EP on 10” Vinyl with 24”x24” poster; ‘Small in the City‘ award-winning children’s book by Sydney Smith; ‘Wave Call’ dreamy cassette by Nico Paulo; ‘Burning Cloud’ beautiful acrylic & pastel on canvas 10×10 print by Rachel Hawkes Cameron; ‘Forever Overhead’ Tea Towel (they’re back, for your isolation baking needs); ‘All Hands’ screen-printed canvas tote (for carting all these goodies around in); PLUS the first 130 orders get a lovely & soft & cream Tim Baker t-shirt too!”
Orders can be made online here.