Introducing...Simon Baker

2020vision’s Simon Baker is born out of the recognised techno mecca of Leeds burgeoning party scene. With the 2020vision parties first kicking off back in 1994 in a remote Yorkshire farmhouse, Simon always knew this was the musical home for him. Since then, Simon has released through heavyweight labels such as Get Physical, Coccon and Playhouse and for 2011 delivers his highly anticipated debut album “Traces” on 2020vision out this month. Lacing together a longplayer that isn’t just straight club tracks, we caught up with Simon to find out more about the musical direction of the album. What’s more, Simon tells us about his thoughts on putting together a live show plus his upcoming collaborations with Glimpse and Debukas. Clearly reeling with excitement for their Room Two takeover this weekend, label boss Ralph Lawson also steps up to give us a few surprise answers and for that we give him a high five. We also have three copies of “Traces” up for grabs and to get your hands on the lucky prize please send an email with the subject "I want a copy of Simon Baker's Traces" to competitions@fabriclondon.com. Hi Simon, how’s the New Year been treating you so far? Yeah great actually, it started out with the first two weeks in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico playing for the BPM festival which was very special. I ended staying for an extra week. I was celebrating finishing my album so had some spare time, so why not hey! Since then I have been very inspired and back in the studio finishing remixes and doing new stuff for various labels. I’ve also just got back from Barcelona where we were shooting a video for my album. Some exciting times so far. Your debut long player ‘Traces’ will be released on home label 2020Vision next month- it’s been a long time coming. Why is now the right time for you? I do things when they feel right naturally. My time is now and I feel I have the experience now to put an album together that isn't just straight club tracks. I wanted it to represent me, my years in this music scene and show my more musical side. Hopefully this shows in the direction I have taken in the album. Can you tell us more about the musical direction of ‘Traces’ and what would you say are the stand out tracks? Stand out tracks are probably ‘No Pressure’, a soulful collaboration I did with Debukas (a new signing to 2020 with an album out this year) a deep house groover called ‘Grey Area’ which has been remixed by Steve Bug and Burnski & Robert James, and ‘Someone Like’ which is probably the most musical track on the album using live pianos and so on. How did you hook up with 2020Vision? 2020 Vision is based in Leeds which is where I live. I would send all my demos to 2020 when I first started out as a producer, and then they eventually signed me. I have worked with them closely ever since. What’s the guiding philosophy behind 2020Vision and what sets it apart from the crowd? Ralph Lawson: We started 2020Vision in 1994 in a remote farmhouse outside Leeds. At the time we were partying like crazy and had no neighbours and a studio so we got very busy! We picked the name because it means 'perfect sight'. In our young naive days we wanted people to have a 'perfect vision' of music. Hey, we were kids! We still love the name though, it stands out. What can we expect to see from yourself and the label in 2011? I have my album tour which I am in the midst of right now. I am also back in the studio making some EPs for labels I haven’t been able to work with recently due to album commitments. I am also looking at some collaborations this year with Glimpse and Debukas whose vocals I used on my album. I might also look at a live act. Other than music, I have decided its time to move on from Leeds where I have been for the past 10 years, so there is a lot to be going on with. Ralph Lawson: In 2011 we are concentrating on albums again with debut work from Debukas and Simon Baker as you know. Crazy P returns again and we continue the club pressure with And.Id, Julien Chaptal, Freak Seven as well as welcoming Maya Jane Coles and K&N Project to the label. To get a bigger picture about you, which three records best describe you? A Mountain of one – Lie Awake Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way The Smiths – Big Mouth Strikes again