Brian Baker
About
Brian Baker is a composer, singer/songwriter and producer living in the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne, Australia. From his studio he is currently creating music for the Fable/Image production library, writing and recording his own original material, composing jingles and soundtracks, and writing with other songwriters to pitch songs to various artists around the world.
from Brian’s website.
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History
Brian Baker landed in Sydney from his native New Zealand during 1980 as a budding performer / composer with some recognition for live and radio performances. He first joined an Avant guarde Pop band “Idiot Savant” and then migrated to Melbourne with a pub rock band called “CRISIS”
In 1985, he entered into a publishing contract with Rondor Music through Graham Connors and soon after a recording contract with CBS Records trading as ‘The Ones’ – a three piece band. Their first and only single ‘Heart’, released in 1986, was produced by Eddie Rayner (ex: Split Enz / Crowded House). The single gained immediate commercial airplay but didn’t make the charts and the band broke up soon after.
Following their studio collaboration on ‘Heart’, Brian and Eddie Rayner developed a working relationship and went on to write and produce a film score for the hit movie ‘Rikki & Pete’. The success of this venture led to the formation of ‘The Makers’.
As the Makers, Brian and Eddie produced two CD albums, The first self titled album for WEA released in 1990 was mixed by Hugh Padgham, whose credits include XTC, Genesis, The Police, Sting and Phil Collins. The album received critical acclaim and the first single ‘Big Picture’ received heavy airplay and charted well in some states. The Makers toured as opening act for ‘The B52’s’ on their 1991 Australian tour and proved to be a big hit with audiences arriving early to see their show.
Their second album ‘Hokey Pokey’ was released though Warner Music but after a label shake up, The Makers were in limbo. Brian and Eddie had different personal needs so together with manager Chris Gough they decided to move on.
Brian moved to a small artistic community in South Eastern Victoria, (Briagolong), where he set up A Tractor Productions. In this refreshing new environment Brian was appointed Artist in Residence at nearby Boisdale School and soon after Musical Director for the Ping Pong Theatre Co. A Tractor Productions soon attracted a steady flow of commercial radio and television work.
By 1994 Brian had written, recorded and produced a critically acclaimed solo album ‘The Field’ which was released independently. With no company backing Brian decided to undertake a massive one man promotional journey throughout the USA, England & Europe.
After returning to Briagolong, Brian formed the band, “Big Head Little Body”, to perform and record new material. More on them here.
Brian, and A Tractor Productions have now moved back to Melbourne, where the studio is pumping out high quality advertising music, including composing library music for Fable Music. Big Head Little Body released their debut CD, “BUG”, in 2000, available on the net through CD Baby.
Eddie has completed a new CD “Play it Straight”, which includes 4 songs from Brian. Two from The Makers, “Big Picture” and “From now on”, one from Brian’s solo CD, “The Field”, called “Letting go”, and a new song called “Fool”, originally recorded by “Big Head Little Body”. “Fool” is sung by New Zealand singer, Annie Crummer and is featured on the NZ on Air A/C hit disc number 4.
Following a trip to NZ in 2002, Brian and Eddie have written 4 brand new songs together. Two of these tracks feature on Brian’s latest CD, “Prague Radio”.
Brian is currently promoting the “Prague Radio”, performing live accompanied by his daughter Ella on vocals.
from Brian’s website.
Recordings
- Albums
- The Field – 1995
- Deconstruct – 1996
- Bug 1999
- Flight – 2002
- Prague Radio – 2004