Caiti Baker

Caiti Baker
OriginDarwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Websitecaitibaker.com

Caiti Baker is an Australian singer-songwriter, producer, harmony arranger, and vocal engineer.

Early life and education

[edit]

Caiti Baker is from Darwin, Northern Territory.[1] Her father is a blues musician,[2] and Baker was raised on gospel, jazz, big band, rock & roll,[2] blues, and soul music and developed a love for R&B and hip hop in her adolescence.[3]

At the age of 12, Baker was given an 8-track digital recorder and she learnt how to write and record songs. Baker says she was inspired by the like Aretha Franklin, Big Mamma Thornton, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James and Little Walter.[2]

Music career

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2009-2014: Sietta

[edit]

From 2009, Baker and James Mangohig (AKA Kuya James) formed the duo Sietta. Sietta released two studio albums, two extended plays, touring nationally and internationally before splitting in 2014.[2][4]

2015-2019: Solo work and Zinc

[edit]

In 2015, Baker signed to Perambulator Records in Darwin. In mid-2015, Baker toured with and supported Dr. G Yunupingu on his The Gospel Album Tour.[2]

In 2016, Baker featured the A.B. Original track "Dead in a Minute" before releasing her debut single "Heavy On My Heart" in August 2016.[5]

Baker released her debut studio album Zinc in October 2017[3] which received 4 Star reviews from Rolling Stone, The Music and the Weekend Australian. Zinc was Album of the Week on Double J and ABC Darwin and came in at number 44 in Double J's Top 50 Albums of 2017.[2] In that same year, Baker was awarded Northern Territory Best Live Voice of the Year at the National Live Music Awards[2] and performed at festivals, BIGSOUND,[6] and WOMADelaide.[7][8]

In 2018 Baker continued her national tour, which culminated with the release of the B6 project, a collection of songs that serve as an accompaniment to her debut album Zinc.[9] The 3-track EP titled B6 was digitally released, featuring songs left over from Zinc.[10][3] The AIR Awards ceremony in that same year, included performances from BAD//DREEMS, Baker Boy, Alex the Astronaut, Fanny Lumsden, Stella Donnelly and Caiti Baker.[11]

The NT Song of the Year in the Blues and Roots category was awarded to Baker in 2018 with "I Won't Sleep" by Caiti Baker, Greg Baker, James Mangohig, and Michael Hohnen.[12] Baker was awarded Best Live Voice of the NT in the National Live Music Awards.[13][14]

Baker released an AIR Award-winning 2019 EP, Dust (Part 1)[15][16] and performed at Bluesfest in the same year, she said of Bluesfest, "I kinda grew up at that festival."[17]

2020

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The single "Worth It" was released on 8 March 2020, International Women's Day, and was the title track to the podcast Birds Eye View, recorded in collaboration with women in the Darwin Correctional Centre, shining a light inside the prison walls.[18][19] The podcast went on to win the award for best Australian podcast of the year at the Australian Podcast Awards 2020.[20]

Baker produced a live collective show called "The Settle Down Sisters"[21] (six artists) which was performed at the Darwin Entertainment Centre and supported Jimmy Barnes. The Settle Down Sisters is a collective of women from a diverse range of backgrounds in the NT coming together with the common thread of voice, empowerment, laughter, and food.[22]

On 19 June 2020, Baker released Mary of the North. Baker dedicated the album to the Northern Territory and its unique characters.[3] The album was produced by James Mangohig and featured the single "Carry", a re-recording of the Sietta track "Carry You".[4] Baker said of the album she, "was inspired by the amazing humans that make up my community here in the NT, I want listeners to hear the textures, colours and tones that make this place the incredibly unique and interesting home that it is to many."[23]

Despite so many live performances being cancelled in the year 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, including Baker's national tour with George Benson,[24] Caiti performed a once only set (twice) with guest musicians from Perth[25] and longtime collaborator, James Mangohig at Nannup Music Festival in February.[25]

Caiti was an artist-in-residence on ABC Radio's Double J,[26]

In September, Kuya James released an 80s-inspired music video[27] entitled "Rewind Our Love" featuring Caiti Baker & Serina Pech.[28]

Dust (Part 1) won Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP Release in the AIR Awards.[citation needed]

Baker featured on, produced, an vocal engineered on "Wirrimu" with Manuel Dhurrkay and "Buddy's Lullaby" with Noni Eather[29] as part of the ABC's children's album, The Moon, The Mouse & The Frog: Lullabies From Northern Australia.[30]

2021

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At the end of January 2021, Baker released "She's Cruel (Acoustic Version) [feat. Ben Edgar]".[31]

In May 2021 Baker travelled interstate for her first post-pandemic performance at the Gold Coast festival Blues on Broadbeach.[32]

"Worth it" made number 10 in the "Territory Sounds Countdown 2021"[33] and Baker donated some of the royalties "to the Women of Worth initiative, helping prisoners and ex-prisoners in the community".[34]

As part of the Darwin International Film Festival, Baker's music video for "Gone", which was directed in 2019 by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, was awarded Best Music Video[35] in the 3rd Capricornia Film Awards.

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details
Zinc
Mary of the North
  • Release date: 19 June 2020[37]
  • Label: Settledown Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital download, LP, streaming

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details
B6
  • Release date: 2018[3]
  • Label: Skinnyfish Music
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Dust (Part 1)
  • Release date: 8 November 2019[38]
  • Label: Settle Down Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Year Title Album
2016 "Heavy On My Heart"[5] Zinc
2017 "Make Your Own Mistakes"[39]
"Wolf"[40]
"I Won't Sleep"[41]
2018 "Believer"[42]
"Gimme"[43] B6
"Yep Yep"[44]
"La La La"[45]
2019 "Over the Horizon"[46] Zinc
"Gone"[47] Dust (Part 1)
2020 "Worth It"[48] Mary of the North
"Green Eyes"[49]
2021 "She's Cruel" (acoustic)
(featuring Ben Edgar)[50] 		—
"Mello"[51] TBA
2022 "Freak"[52] TBA
[edit]
Year Title Album
2016 "Dead in a Minute"
(A.B. Original featuring Caiti Baker)[53] 		Reclaim Australia
2017 "Here"
(Briggs featuring Caiti Baker)[54] 		non-album single
2020 "Sophie's Song"
(Sensible Antixx featuring Caiti Baker)[55] 		TBA

Awards and nominations

[edit]

AIR Awards

[edit]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018[56][57] Zinc Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated
2020[58][59] The Dust (Pt. 1) Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP Won

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Caiti Baker for Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) Best Cover Art Won

National Indigenous Music Awards

[edit]

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) is an annual award ceremony and recognises excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Northern Territory music industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016[60] "Dead in a Minute" (A.B. Original featuring Caiti Baker) Song of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

[edit]

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Caiti Baker Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year Nominated [61][62]
Northern Territory Live Voice of the Year Won
2018 Caiti Baker Live Voice of the Year Nominated [63][64]
Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year Nominated
Northern Territory Live Voice of the Year Won
2019 Caiti Baker Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year Nominated [65]
2020 Caiti Baker Northern Territory Live Act of the Year Nominated [66]
2023 Caiti Baker Best Live Act in the NT Nominated [67][68]
Caiti Baker Best Live Voice in the NT Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Baker, Caiti (11 November 2020). "Caiti Baker on Darwin and the warm storytelling of Mark A Hunter". Double J. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Caiti Baker About". harbouragency. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "About Caiti Baker". Caiti Baker. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Caiti Baker releases new album Mary of the North". NME. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Heavy On My Heart - single". Apple Music. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  6. ^ Pica, Emily; Pozzulo, Joanna (21 March 2017). "The elimination-plus lineup: Testing a modified lineup procedure with confidence". Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling. 14 (3): 294–306. doi:10.1002/jip.1477. ISSN 1544-4759.
  7. ^ "Getting in zinc with Caiti Baker". Blank Street Press. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Caiti Baker - WOMADelaide 2017". www.womadelaide.com.au. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Live Review: CAITI BAKER @ Yah Yah's, 27.09.18". SYN Media. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  10. ^ "B6 EP". bandcamp. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  11. ^ Trainor, Matthew (27 July 2018). "2018 AIR AWARDS ANNOUNCED". Upside Adelaide. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  12. ^ "NT Song Of The Year winners for 2018 announced". Double J. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Caiti Baker". The Harbour Agency. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  14. ^ administrator (6 December 2018). "Baker Boy, Stella Donnelly and Tropical F*ck Storm among the big winners of the 2018 NLMAs; Magic Dirt Inducted as Live Legends". National Live Music Awards. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Premiere: Caiti Baker takes the musical power back with new EP, 'Dust (Part 1)'". Tone Deaf. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  16. ^ "ABOUT". Caiti Baker. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Caiti Baker set to debut brand new material at Bluesfest". Blank Street Press. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Caiti Baker releases 'Worth It', her first single of 2020". NME. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  19. ^ "CAITI BAKER Unveils Single 'Worth It' For International Women's Day Pod Cast Launch". Good Call Live. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Winners 2020". Australian Podcast Awards. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Settle Down Sisters". Off The Leash. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Caiti Baker". Blues on Broadbeach. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Caiti Baker Takes Us Track By Track Through New Album, 'Mary Of The North'". Music Feeds. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Oztix | News | Caiti Baker Lends Voice To New Women's Prison Podcast Theme Song". www.oztix.com.au. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Caiti Baker @ Nannup Town Hall". Bandsintown. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  26. ^ "Caiti Baker is your Darwin DJ this week". Double J. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  27. ^ Kuya James - REWIND OUR LOVE ft. Caiti Baker and Serina Pech, retrieved 25 August 2021
  28. ^ purplesneakersadmin (24 March 2020). "Get To Know: Kuya James". Purple Sneakers. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  29. ^ Compilation - The Moon, The Mouse & The Frog: Lullabies From Northern Australia, 19 February 2021, retrieved 25 August 2021
  30. ^ The Moon, The Mouse & The Frog: Lullabies From Northern Australia by Various Artists, retrieved 25 August 2021
  31. ^ She's Cruel (Acoustic Version) [feat. Ben Edgar] - Single by Caiti Baker, retrieved 25 August 2021
  32. ^ "Christine Anu, Tommy Emmanuel, Caiti Baker to play Blues On Broadbeach 2021". NME. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  33. ^ "What was Australia's favourite NT song of 2020?". www.abc.net.au. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  34. ^ "What was Australia's favourite NT song of 2020?". www.abc.net.au. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  35. ^ "Capricornia Film Awards, The Darwin International Film Festival". www.diff.net.au. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Zinc (DD)". Apple Music. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  37. ^ "Mary of the North (DD)". Apple Music. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  38. ^ "Dust (Part 1) (EP)". Apple Music. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  39. ^ "Make Your Own Mistakes - single". Apple Music. January 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  40. ^ "Wolf - single". Apple Music. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  41. ^ "I Can't Sleep - single". Apple Music. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  42. ^ "Believer - single". Apple Music. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  43. ^ "Gimme - single". Apple Music. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  44. ^ "Yep Yep - single". Apple Music. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  45. ^ "La La La - single". Apple Music. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  46. ^ "Over the Horizon - single". Apple Music. February 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Gone - single". Apple Music. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  48. ^ "Worth It - single". Apple Music. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  49. ^ "Green Eyes - single". Apple Music. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  50. ^ "She's Cruel - single". Apple Music. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  51. ^ "Mello - single". Apple Music. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  52. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist ADDITIONS – 11/03/22". Music Feeds. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  53. ^ "Dead in a Minute - single". Apple Music. May 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  54. ^ "Here - single". Apple Music. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  55. ^ "She's Cruel - single". Apple Music. 29 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021.
  56. ^ "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". 17 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  57. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  58. ^ "2020 AIR Awards Nominees". scenestr. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  59. ^ "That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations". the industry observer. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  60. ^ "2016 Winners". National Indigenous Music Awards. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  61. ^ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  62. ^ "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  63. ^ "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". NLMA. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  64. ^ "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". NLMA. December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  65. ^ "HERE ARE YOUR 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES!". NLMA. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  66. ^ "Nominees announced for 2020 National Live Music Awards". NLMAs. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  67. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  68. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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