"Absolutely solid soul goodness."
- California radio tastemaker KCRW on Love Levitates
Today, Louis Baker releases his much-anticipated Love Levitates EP ahead of a nationwide release tour this July. See supports announced below.
The brand new EP takes Baker's signature brand of modern-soul and wholehearted lyrics to bright, new territory. Working with producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Devin Abrams (Drax Project, Pacific Heights), Love Levitates is a journey of self-exploration and focuses on themes of heritage, love, friendship, and observation.
Baker's release comes two weeks before a nationwide tour featuring a full band that commences in Auckland on July 3rd with special guest Aotearoa Jazz legend Nathan Haines. Supporting artists on the tour are Wellington singer and multi-instrumentalist Arjuna Oakes for Auckland, Nelson and Wellington; and Christchurch musicians Gee Clifford & Marley Sola for Christchurch. The band features Cory Champion (Borrowed Cs, Mara TK, Glass Vaults) on drums, Johnny Lawrence(Hollie Smith, Name UL) on bass, James Illingworth (Rob Ruha) on keys, along with Kirsten Te Rito and Moana Leota on backing vocals.
Following Baker's sold-out show with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) in February, the Silver Scroll and Taite Music Prize-nominated artist is relishing the thought of performing around the country next month. “I’m very excited to take this record on the road with my band. I can’t wait to sing together, groove together, get deep on songs from my previous records and celebrate by sharing the new songs from this new EP,” says Baker.
Louis Baker & Full Band
- Love Levitates Tour-
Saturday 3 July - Hollywood Theatre, Auckland
- Support Artist Arjuna Oakes, Special Guest Nathan Haines
Friday 9 July, Theatre Royal - Nelson
- Support Artist Arjuna Oakes
Saturday 10 July, James Hay Theatre - Christchurch
- Support Artists Gee Clifford & Marley Sola
Saturday 17 July, Opera House - Wellington
- Support Artist Arjuna Oakes
Tickets Avaliable Now Via www.louisbaker.co.nz
Love Levitates marks the first full-length follow up to Baker’s critically acclaimed debut album Open released in 2019, which received a prestigious Taite Music Prize nomination, and Recorded Music NZ nominations for Best Soul Artist and Best Māori Artist. Previous singles ‘Back On My Feet’ (2014), ‘Rainbow’ (2016), and ‘Black Crow’ (2018) have been recognised with APRA Silver Scroll nominations.
The EP's first released single, ‘Overdrive’ featuring NZ rapper/producer Kings shot to No. 1 on release and has clocked over 400k Spotify streams. Youth influencer site, Sniffers, praised the single writing, "lush vocals from Baker over grooving soul production conjure the blissed-out ecstasy of the initial rush of an enchanting encounter."
On the uplifting and deeply personal opening track, 'Brighter Day' Baker pays tribute to the triumphs and adversities faced by his grandfather Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Baker (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Tu) who served in the 28th Māori Battalion. The single charted at No. 11 and is playlisted on Spotify's New Music Friday AU & NZ and The Local List Aotearoa.
Love Levitates (EP) is out now
Purchase/ Stream here-
www.louisbaker.bandcamp.com