'Once In A Blue Moon' is from 5th forthcoming Studio LP 'Freak'
The Great Escape Live Dates
May 12th Jubilee Square 3.15pm
May 12th Fiddlers Elbow 18.30pm
May 13th St Nicholas Church 5.30pm
‘’Look Up At That Sky’’ added to Spotify New Music Friday and Apple Music New In Indie
is the 3rd single from Michael Baker’s forthcoming fourth studio Album ‘’Keep Hydrated’’
Embodying the John Prine mantra of ‘three chords and the truth
QUOTES
“The simplest of things can be most effective. Michael’s music is sparse, skeletal yet often deeply moving” Mahogany
“Gorgeous, singer-songwriter would give Ben Howard a run for his money” Tom Robinson
“Michael was phenomenal, really blew us away“Adam Maestro Head of Booking Sofar Sounds
Michael released his magnificent debut long player Dust & Bone in 2016 (Michael lived in his van for two and a half years whilst recording the album) working with Producer Dan Brown. It features the critically acclaimed ‘Steady And The Stuck (premiered by The Independent) and Revolving Doors co-written with Ben Christophers (Guy Garvey Bat for Lashes) he followed this debut with his stunning sophomore album ‘Salt ‘in 2020 which Atwood praised as “an achingly honest & heartfelt reckoning full of striking vulnerability & intensely intimate, beautiful songwriting.” Michael released his 3rd studio Album ‘How Come You Sleep’, in 2021 recorded with Lucy Rose band member Andrew Stuart-Buttle & mixed by Oliver Baldwin (Aldous Harding, First Aid Kit). ‘‘How Come You Sleep resonates with soaring melodies & glistening string arrangements that add depth & colour. It weaves stirring wonders, a cathartic release of tension & visceral self-reflection.’’ Atwood Magazine
After recently releasing a self-produced covers EP, Michael is now gearing up to release his 4th studio Album, produced & recorded with Luke Potashnick (Gabrielle Aplin, Alberta Cross, Tom The Lion) at the renowned Wool Hall Studios (Van Morrison, Tears For Fears).
Live
Michael’s newly formed Live trio set- up features Michael on guitar, keys and harmonica, Alfie Weedon on double bass & Bv’s and Andrew Stuart-Buttle on violin, mandolin, synths, drum machines & BV’s. The trio frequently lean into the possibilities of their set up with songs featuring shimmering electronic chords and drones, and occasional bursts of controlled feedback or skittering drum patterns.
Michael says of the track.
This came together pretty quicky. At the time I remember listening to lots of John Prine who had just passed away and I wanted to embody his mantra of ‘Three Chords and the truth’. This song was also a realisation that after 5 years of living in Brighton I finally accepted that this was my home, As described in the opening verse lyrics
‘'Will you look up at that sky,
in a town that I,
Am thinking I might call my home
Though I put up my defences you talk me down.
Tell me that I am not alone’’
Producer Luke Potashnick recalls:
‘Look Up At That Sky’ was put togther primarily (like so much of this album) through another live take – Tom Visser on the tubs barely touching them throwing the odd quirky roll fill. I heard a rolling dub style bass underneath the whole thing - rhythmically kinda weird - then Richard Causon waited patiently on the upright and hitting just the right emotion. Micahel sat in front of an old EV dynamic and delivered this vocal as we played. Then I added some electrics - kinda wanted the tune to feel a bit like being on a red eye plane trip watching a storm below….Oh and the thunder at the start is the Great British Spring being kicked.
Look up at that sky:
Will you look up at that sky in a town that I
Am thinking I might call my home
Though I put up my defences you talk me down
Tell me that I am not alone
Baby you can call me when your drunk and your feeling low
And There are things I know we will never know
Baby when you know you’ll know
Its time to look into that light little shining one
And stare straight to that sun
Though I put up my defences you talk me down
Tell me that I am not alone
Maybe I will call you when I’m drunk and I’m feeling low
And there are things I know we will never know
Baby when you know you’ll know
Baby you can call me when your drunk and your feeling low
And There are things I know we will never know
Baby when you know you’ll know
Baby when you know you’ll know
Baby when you know you’ll know
