New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Kurt Baker is giving fans a taste of his upcoming album 'Rock 'N' Roll Club' (out this Fall on Wicked Cool Records), with the release of the LP's first single "Anchors Up."
The "Anchors Up" video:
Directed by Wyatt Funderburk
Shot by Luis Sánchez
Edited by Evan Sprague
Best boy: T-boy
Shot on location at Voramar Beach, Benicàssim, Castellón, Spain.
Of the track Baker says, "'Anchors Up' started around an idea I had while living in Spain during the lockdown confinement. Being confined to your house was not a great experience, but I remember I used to take my guitar and play it next to my window, to get some sunlight. I guess the rays of sunshine brought a happy upbeat melody to my mind, definitely with the flavor of something
Green Day might have recorded on their 'Warning' album, or maybe even the Kinks, which coincidently, I think
Green Day was listening to a lot when they recorded 'Warning'. Anyway, I had this demo, and the lyrics were just kinda silly. When I sent it to
Little Steven to listen to he told me straight up that the song was way too "happy" sounding! I'm very fortunate to have the ability to work with somebody like Steven, who knows his music, and his feedback and critique of my ideas are so extremely valuable. The song took another direction, once I sat down with my best buddy Geoff Palmer to work on the lyrics. Now the track has this sort of 'Sloop John B' vibe to it.
Almost a bit of a maritime thing going.. Anchors, drunk captains… You know, I'm from
Maine so I've been on a boat, and I've been around a lot of drunk captains and captainesses, or so they say they are! I'm very very excited for 'Anchors Up' to be the lead kick-off single for my new album 'Rock N Roll Club'. Dig it!"
Of the video, he says, "I have to thank my real deal all-time best homie and bandmate, Wyatt Funderburk, for envisioning this video, and coming up with the entire idea in his mind, and brilliantly executing the direction of it. We were on a day off in Benicassim, Spain, deep in the midst of our recent successful tour of Spain. It was a beautiful day and we were by the beach, relaxing and enjoying a bit of free time. We had just finished a run of 6 shows and were feeling GREAT. We wanted to capitalize on the fact that we had a new album coming out, and we were all together hanging out on the beach, so we decided to shoot this video. One take. We did a practice run, and then hit a record! Thanks to our great pal Luis Sanchez from Los Reactivos and K7's for filming this. We are the anchors and we are about to set sail into the sea. We could be tappin' into something like the Verve's 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' or Semisonic's 'Closing Time' with this video, or it's just a simple single one-shot video of the boys getting together for a little stroll to the Mediterranean sea. The only problem is that we forgot to bring our towels! Hey, this video came out great and I feel like it totally encompasses the mood and the vibe of the track 'Anchors Up,' which I think is the goal with any music video. I'm very happy about this, grateful to everybody who was involved in making it happen and excited to drop the new album! 'Rock N Roll Club' out
September 29th on Wicked Cool Records, baby! Yeah!"
Kurt Baker is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for his work as a guitarist and vocalist in the power pop and punk rock genres. He is the lead singer and guitarist for the Kurt Baker Band, a group that has released several albums on
Little Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Baker is known for his energetic live performances and catchy, upbeat songs that often feature clever lyrics and catchy hooks. He has drawn inspiration from a wide range of musical styles, including rock, pop, punk, and new wave. - It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine
Upcoming shows:
6/17 - Portland, ME @ Bunker Brewery
7/1 - Madison, WI @ Mickey's
9/29 - Boston, MA TBA Album Release Party
9/30 - New York, NY TBA Album Release Party
10/21 - 11/1 JAPANESE TOUR MORE INFO SOON
11/24 - Portland, ME @ Geno's Rock Club
What People Have Written About Kurt Baker:
"Power-pop perfection."- Billboard
"...punk-meets-Elvis Costello rocking... definitely fits in the power pop mold, but also has a heavier guitar presence that gives it more energy and intensity. Baker also incorporates a subtle New Wave touch, bringing to mind some of the finest rock gems of the 1980s... gets you excited for when we will finally be able to see acts like them perform live one day."- Glide Magazine
"Would make
Elvis Costello proud... a record brimming with sweet harmonies, razor-sharp hooks, and addictive melodies...bringing to mind everyone from Jellyfish to Material Issue at various points of the record... A remarkably fun album by one of the most consistently solid acolytes of power pop working today."- New Noise
"It's got that new wave/power pop meets early '80s FM rock (Donnie Iris, Cheap Trick, .38 Special) vibe with just a hint of '90s Lookout! Records. If you're into big hooks, punchy guitars, and catchy choruses, this album will not leave you wanting. Say what you will about 2020. But any year that gives us a new Kurt Baker record can't be entirely bad!"- Faster & Louder
"Kurt Baker does the power pop thing like a champ...the hooks are full of pop goodness and the singalongs come from all directions."- That's Good Enough For Me
"...a 12 track alt-rock masterclass. Traversing varying sonic landscapes such as new romantic, post-punk, power-pop et cetera, this set will thrill legitimate longtime fans and new converts alike."- Global Texan Chronicles
"One of the bright lights keeping the flames of power pop lit."- Top40-Charts
"Blending his signature indie garage rock and power pop styles, "Outta Sight" is packed with sweet melodies and grittier dynamics."-
Rebel Noise
"This could easily be Baker's best album to date."- Real Gone Rocks
"Confirms Kurt Baker as something of a power-pop genius. 'After Party' is a lockdown tonic we should all take a swig of. - RPM Online
"......a total spoil of riches for any fan of 80s culture."- American Songwriter
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