Music
Interview: Bastian Baker on supporting Shania Twain
The Swiss singer has been opening for Shania Twain across the globe.
Swiss singer-songwriter Bastian Baker was handpicked to join international sensation Shania Twain on her current global tour. Moving from professional hockey into the realm of music, Baker is currently performing in arenas worldwide on Twain’s 45 show run, which is at the time of writing making its way through the UK.
Finding new fans at every stop, Bastian Baker is also gearing up to release his new self-titled album, due for release on Friday 26 October 2018. His fourth full-length release, it marks the first to be released in the United States and the UK.
The news of the record came alongside new track Stay, the third single to be released from the album following All Around Us and Love On Fire. The video for Stay stars fellow Swiss native and runway model Manuela Frey, the forthcoming host of Switzerland’s Next Top Model.
Stay blends Baker’s singer-songwriter roots with abundant pop hooks, continuing a trend of blending genres that has previously seen him declared platinum with his 2011 release Tomorrow May Not Be Better.
Watch the video for Stay and read out chat with Bastian Baker whilst on the road with Shania Twain below:
You’ve been supporting Shania Twain on the road for the full NOW tour. How has the experience been so far?
It’s been amazing. Shania and I go way back and we’ve always loved each other’s music, so to be on tour together is like the perfect match. Plus we get to play a duet every night, it’s a lot of fun.
You recently arrived in the UK. What are you enjoying most about this part of the world?
I love the culture here and how every city is very walkable. And I love the feeling of being in a different country almost every day. It is a very different vibe than in North America where we started the tour.
Is there any particular moment or memory that stands on from the tour to date?
Probably the Nashville show. I was very excited to play Bridgestone Arena there. I grew up playing hockey in Switzerland, and my good friend Roman Josi is the captain of the Nashville Predators, so I’ve been to many games before I actually got to hit the stage myself. Plus, Nashville really is the “Music City,” the capital of country, so playing there together with the legend that is Shania Twain was definitely something very special.
What can fans expect from your performance on the night?
I play a half hour acoustic set. I always enjoy interacting with the crowd each night! I play songs from my four albums and usually a cover. My shows are very spontaneous.
How do they differ from a headline Bastian Baker show?
I’m usually playing with an eight-person band that have been friends of mine for several years, some for over ten years. It is more of a high-energy rock show. I love to play for a long time. One of my biggest inspirations is Bruce Springsteen.
Is there anything you’ve learned from watching Shania perform every night that you’ll take forward into your own shows?
Oh yeah, the time she takes to speak with or to her audience is mind-blowing. I really look up to her in general; the way she always keeps the audience’s attention with amazing stage presence and a show full of surprises.
You’ve released three new tracks so far this year. How would you describe your latest material and where do you draw inspiration from?
It is for sure very different than my previous releases, especially a song like Stay that could be described as electro pop. I’ve always loved all kinds of music and I think the new album is the perfect reflection of that. You’ll find pop, rock, folk, country, indie songs on the new record. It’s a genre-defying album. Inspiration comes from a lot of different things – my own experiences, stories people tell me, things I see, think about, sometimes just a total fantasy.
Catch Bastian Baker on the road with Shania Twain at the remaining UK dates:
29 September 2018 – The SSE Arena, Belfast
2 October 2018 – The O2, London
3 October 2018 – The O2, London
Remaining tickets for Shania Twain and Bastian Baker are available now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.
Photo by Gregg Roth
