Meet The Magnificent Electronica Talent Bakermat
Gather round and get ready to be amazed by the electronic stylings of Bakermat and his latest record ‘The Ringmaster’. The new project showcases his musical versatility and desire to step outside of the box. With a sound that consists of electronic, pop, jazz, and soul influences, Bakermat holding nothing back with this new era.
Since making his debut in 2013 with his track ‘Strandfeest’, the Dutch producer and DJ has amassed over 500 million streams on Spotify alone, charted in more than a dozen countries, and earned himself platinum and gold plaques for his music.
We were able to chat with Bakermat about his new project ‘The Ringmaster’, his unique sound and so much more. Read the full interview below.
Thanks for chatting with us today! How’s everything been going for you lately?
Very well, thank you!
How has 2020 been for you creatively?
It’s been quite a strange and challenging year, but I have been super productive in the studio. I guess without the distraction of touring and stuff, there’s more time and more room in your head to create.
Speaking of music, let’s bring it back a bit. When did you first start getting into producing and DJ’ing?
I was about 14 years old I think and bought my first laptop. I used to work in construction as a kid, helping the workers with demolishing old buildings. That’s how I made some money that allowed me to have a really good laptop for that time. My heroes back then were Joachim Garraud, Laidback Luke, David Guetta. They were all already on YouTube giving out tutorials and stuff.
How would you describe your sound to anyone that wasn’t already a fan?
My sound is not really bound to one genre. It’s really not bound to certain instruments or a certain tempo. It’s just a general feeling. My tracks can go from sad ballads to funky house to rock, but you’ll still hear its mine. I guess it’s because I make everything myself, and I learned music production by myself. So, everything I make has a certain ‘signature’ Bakermat sound. I find it hard giving my sound an actual name because it’s so diverse. Maybe just call it: Bakermat sound, haha!
Can you take us through Bakermat’s Circus? What inspired you to start the expanding community?
It’s a concept my manager and I started in Paris’ Zig Zag club, where we would dress up the room and have cool acts perform. Also, I’d wear a Ringmaster jacket, which I kept wearing. I wanted to create a party concept where diversity and uniqueness is celebrated. I wanted visitors to feel like they could dance, dress and act exactly how they wanted without being embarrassed or ashamed. What is a better place for that than the circus?
This leads us to your new project ‘The Ringmaster’! How does this record differ from your previous projects sonically?
I mean I used to really stick to making house music. But with the Ringmaster, I decided to expand to other genres. I noticed I really love developing myself as a producer and learned a lot making this album. I now know how to record drums, guitar and keys in an actual studio. I know how to build a track at 80 bpm as well as a song that’s 160 bpm (yes, they are both on the same album). It’s so much fun to challenge yourself and create something you’ve never done before and that seems so hard in the beginning.
Is there a track that was your favourite to create? Is there one that you found challenging to complete?
It took me about 3 years to finish ‘Bad Dreams’ and make it exactly how I wanted it. It’s my personal favourite of the album. I have about 16 different versions of it on my laptop, I even recorded some versions with (even pretty famous) rappers from the US. Eventually, though I knew I just wanted this version, the simpler one. I love the arrangement and sound of this track. For me, it’s a great combo of analogue and digital instruments.
What do you want music listeners to feel while they listen to The Ringmaster?
The feel is enough. I think the best thing for an artist of any craft is when people see or hear your art, they feel something. Whether it’s sadness or happiness or anger; the most important thing is that something happens to people. Art should make you feel something. I think most tracks of my album are gonna make people happy, but some are gonna make people sad. Which is cool, because I think both emotions have beauty.
With only a few more months left in 2020, what else can fans expect from Bakermat?
My merchandise shop is online. I’m now selling really cool, heavy cotton t-shirts with Matt Baker (my cartoon alter ego) on them. It’s something I’ve never done before and I’m really curious to see if people are interested. If they are; I’ll be designing a lot more stuff!
Make sure to watch Bakermat new video for his single ‘Bad Dreams’ below.
