Please introduce myself to the great wide world.
Hi, I’m Chloe Baker, singer/songwriter, soccer player, musical theater
student, friend, sister and daughter. I am known for asking a lot of
questions and am rarely satisfied with the first answer I get. I
appreciate the people around me and the opportunities they give me to
learn, grow and share.
So what made you choose the music industry?
At every age I’ve always had “singer” at the top of my list of what I
hope to have as a career. In my house growing up, music was always
playing. My house is full of guitars and other instruments and we have
a home studio. This allows me to record the songs I write and get them
in shape to be able to share them. The reception to a few of the first
songs I shared led me to want to get my career started now instead of
waiting until after high school.
At what point did you want to start Bitter Kiss? Explain your reason
behind the name of the project.
A little over a year ago, I started writing and recording a number of
songs and, based on the feedback I got, started posting them to
SoundCloud. I used Bitter’s Kiss as a project name because I wasn’t
really sure the final form the project was going to take and whether I
was going to form a band. The name signifies that there is something
valuable in the bitter or hard parts of life. We can find something
valuable in all of our life experience.
You took the leap and released your debut self-titled EP in March.
What’s the public’s reception on your EP so far?
The reception has really been surprising, and I’m so grateful for all
the positive feedback that I have received. I’ve generally had good
feedback and some constructive direction about next steps. The album
has also allowed me to connect with people all around the world, to work
with some really great people and to connect with people directly about
my songs.
What is your favourite single from the EP and why?
My favorite song on the album is Love Won’t Make You Cry. I like the
message in it and the way it evolved in writing it. The message is also
open to interpretation, so two people listening can take different
things away from it and relate it to their personal situations.
How would you describe your sound to potential fans?
It’s been interesting with new material that I’m working on with
different production styles, because there will be more variety in the
future, but I think I would say that it’s lyric-driven, a bit
melancholy, indie pop. I would describe it music for emotions.
Who are your musical (or even non-musical) influences?
I was raised on a really eclectic mix of music, everything from the
Beatles to current alternative radio. My song writing is influenced a
lot by great female singer-songwriters, from Carole King to Sarah
McLachlan to Regina Spektor and so many others. I admire Bjork’s
performance style. As a musical theatre major, I also draw influences
from Broadway which have pushed me towards being somewhat cinematic in
my songs.
If you had to collaborate with just ONE mainstream artist, who would
it be?
It’s really got to be Carole King; she’s an idol and I would love the
opportunity to collaborate with her on a song. If it’s someone topping
the charts now, I would say Ed Sheeran.
So what’s your plan for 2016 and beyond? Any upcoming gigs?
I’m working on material for a new EP and have music videos being
prepared for release that I can’t wait to share soon. On October 19 of
this year, I have a dance single coming out with Redondo & Boiler on
Spinnin’ Records called Lost & Found that takes parts of my song Lovin’
Life along with new material and sounds like I imagine Ibiza must be!
My plans for 2016 will be set after some trips I’m taking to Los Angeles
and Nashville in the next month, with show dates to come.
How can potential fans get in touch with you?
At this point, I try to be as accessible as possible through my socials
and email. I really want to stay connected to as many people as I can.
Finally, what other profession would you do if music didn’t exist?
If music didn’t exist, I hope I’d be one of the ones helping to invent
it! I’m very serious about soccer, although probably wouldn’t be a
profession. I really don’t know, but I’m sure I’d have something in
mind!
