INTERVIEW: Kurt Baker comes home to Maine for an ‘After Party’
Photo: Kurt Baker’s new album is called After Party. Photo courtesy of artist / Provided by Earshot Media with permission.
Kurt Baker, a successful singer-songwriter, is back with a new album of tunes called After Party, featuring the ’80s-inspired single “Over You.” Fans can check out the new recording from Wicked Cool Records and soak in some of Baker’s power pop sounds.
This is something of a return to form for Baker, whose two previous efforts were with his four-piece group known as the Kurt Baker Combo. This album utilizes five members from his U.S.-based band for an entirely new sound.
Listeners should be able to tell some of Baker’s geographical history when listening to After Party. He’s a native of Portland, Maine, but he has called Madrid home for the past several years. His music career has been defined by well-received albums and a stint with the band the Leftovers.
Joining him on this new effort are Wyatt Funderburk, who not only plays guitars on the tracks but also produced, engineered and mixed the album. Kris Rodgers is on keyboards, while Geoff Palmer holds down the fort with more guitar work. Craig Sala is featured on drums. The five got together, of all places, in Baker’s parents’ basement back in Maine. They recorded the songs before COVID-19 shut everything down, and one day they hope to join together and tour the material around.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Baker about After Party. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can fans expect off your new album After Party?
The record is chock full of fun, energetic, catchy rock ‘n’ roll music. Hopefully, these songs get stuck in your head for days! Haha! That’s the idea anyway. Musically, we draw from a lot of different influences on this record, from ’80s new wave to ’60s garage/pop/bossa nova, so there is a song for everybody on this. This is the third full-length release that was produced and co-written with my buddy Wyatt Funderburk and includes the guys who played on my records Brand New Beat and Play It Cool, so if you are a fan of those records, you’ll really enjoy this one. We took it to another level writing, performance and production on this one though. Pulling out all the stops!
How long has this album been in the works? Did COVID-19 disrupt any plans with the recording?
We began writing this record in the summer of 2019, and we finished tracking the record almost immediately before the pandemic arrived. We really lucked out on that because if we had scheduled the recording sessions any later, this album might have not been possible, or at least the results would have been vastly different. The album was mostly written and recorded at my parents’ house where I was staying while visiting the States from where I live in Madrid. It was so cool to actually record a lot of the record in the same room where Wyatt and I had written the songs the summer before. And, of course, being able to track the vocal parts with Wyatt, Geoff Palmer, Kris Rodgers and Craig Sala, all the in the same room was a real joy, and it wouldn’t have been possible post-pandemic. So, yeah, we definitely had luck on our side with that one. When I got back to Madrid, we entered into a very strict lockdown. It was pretty difficult because we couldn’t leave the house without facing a fine from the police. Wyatt would send me mixes that he was working on from his studio in Nashville, and that really kept me feeling positive during a hard time.
What are the differences between Kurt Baker the solo artist and the Kurt Baker Combo?
The Kurt Baker Combo is my band based in Spain. We formed in 2014 after I got some offers to play festivals in Spain, but it was impossible to bring the U.S. band over. We really clicked and continued on. We’ve recorded one live album and two studio albums for Wicked Cool, which I’m really proud of. The idea with this band from the beginning was to showcase our love for pub rock, glam and garage rock stylings that didn’t come out so much with the solo records, which were more firmly rooted in ‘power pop.’ The combo is very much a wild rock ‘n’ roll live group, and we certainly have had some amazing tours all over Spain and Europe.
Are there any similarities between the music scenes in Portland, Maine, and Madrid?
Portland, Maine, is a much smaller city, but for its size, it has a very active, diverse and eclectic music scene. It was wonderful growing up in Portland because there were so many great opportunities to play. However, the rock ‘n’ roll scene in Portland is very small. It’s more of an indie/art/folk-rock scene. … If you had to compare it to Madrid, it’s impossible. Madrid is a rock ‘n’ roll city — lots of great bands, venues and rock clubs. It’s like a rock ‘n’ roll paradise. That’s one of the reasons I decided to move to Madrid. I wanted to be in the epicenter of the action and fun of this type of music in Europe. And ironically, I’ve seen some of my favorite bands from the USA that hardly ever came up to play in Portland here in Madrid, groups like Redd Kross, The Rubinoos, Dirty Fences, etc.
How did you come to be based in Madrid?
The first time I played in Madrid was in 2007 at the Wurlitzer Ballroom — one of the best rock venues in the city — and I instantly fell in love. The city felt a bit like what it must have been like to be in NYC during the late ’70s or something, just so much energy and excitement. I continued to return to Madrid year after year on tour, and it never disappointed. The crowds at the gigs were always great, and I began to make a lot of friends. Finally, by 2013, I was itchin’ to relocate to a city where I could take my music career to the next level. New York, Nashville, LA were all options, but in the end, I decided on Madrid. I had always wanted to live in Europe, and it just felt like the right choice. It was a great decision, and seven years later I’m still in Madrid.
Do you have fond memories of working with the Leftovers?
Lots of great memories. The Leftovers were a great band, and we had some amazing times touring and just hanging out. It was amazing that a little band that started sophomore year of high school had such a great run. It’s really unfortunate that we ended when we were in our prime moment, but those things happen sometimes with bands. I learned a lot from my years in the Leftovers, and if it wasn’t for that band, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And I definitely wouldn’t know the friends and bandmates I have now. I definitely look back with fond memories.
What’s your plan to promote the new album if live concerts are not an option?
I definitely plan on doing some online concerts, perhaps some live streams or StageIt gigs. And hopefully, when all this COVID stuff finally blows over we can hit the road again and play some great shows, and see all our friends and fans. I can’t wait for that. We just all have to stay positive, be patient, and keep on washing our hands and wearing our masks!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Kurt Baker’s new album, After Party, is now available from Wicked Cool Records. Click here for more information.
