Biography of Simon Baker | |
Simon Baker Biography
May 2013
Simon Baker is a DJ and producer who has always managed to operate on his own terms since first emerging. Rather than kowtowing to the style of the times, he has pushed his unique house and techno agenda, both as a DJ, and as a producer. The musical knowledge and understanding he’s been picking up since his teens all came to fruition on debut LP ‘Traces’ in 2011.
Arriving on his home label of 2020 Vision, it was an album that showcased genuine artistry and musicality at the same time as offering up infectious dance floor grooves indebted to years of house, disco and techno. Seems all those hours spent studying classical guitar and music theory as a child weren’t wasted after all, especially given the album’s warm reception by press and punters alike.
With releases on various class act labels such as Rekids, Leftroom, Get Physcial, Cocoon, Fina, 8bit, Crosstown Rebels, and more recently on Sasha’s imprint Last Night on Earth. Simon has definitely earned his stripes, but not to stand still for too long, 2013 brings his new label ‘nofitstate’ to the table with label-mate Geddes due for launch this summer.
It was of course in 2007 when Baker first broke through with the writhing monster that was ‘Plastik’ - officially one of the year’s best tracks according to influential site Resident Advisor. Initially, the track was released on Baker’s own Infant Records (though now dormant, in its time the imprint was a respected outlet that released music from, among others, Burnski, Anthony Collins and Paul Woolford) before eventually getting picked up by Playhouse for a re-release. Ensuing efforts such as the ‘Lip Trick’ EP, remixes of Crazy P and Simian Mobile Disco plus collaborations with Jamie Jones have all helped to cement his reputation as producer with lots to say and the skills to say it.
Simon now lives in London, but grew up in the Leeds area of the UK, familiar touchstones like The Hacienda, Back to Basics and techno club Orbit are what first got Simon into electronic music, and as such he was a regular fixture on the Leeds scene in the early days, acting as resident for much lauded night, Asylum.
Before long, though, the wider world caught on to Baker’s dexterous sets, he has played at key clubs like Panorama Bar, Fabric and Watergate, as well as being a regular fixture at the annual BPM Festival in Playa del Carmen. He is now established as a world class touring act, reaching Australia, Asia, South America and most regularly North America, where he maintains an excellent profile and appearances at the most influential clubs and events from coast to coast. From the rooftop of LA’s Standard Hotel, to the east coast from Miami’s Electric Pickle to Montreal’s Piknic Electronik festival. This year he will be heading to play at the Circoloco party in Detroit during the Movement Electronic Music Festival...
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