'Tokyo' / Robert Baxter [Interview]
Robert Baxter brings things down a notch on ‘tokyo’ for the vulnerable yet hopeful song, which details their love for their friend who is struggling. Through sincere honesty the lyrics acknowledge the heavier sides of mental ill-health, whilst yearning for the brighter side, with a firm conviction that things might be tough but they will get better. Described by Robert Baxter in the press release, as “a metaphorical hug”, it feels like the one that you have after a cry with a friend, bolstered by the warm downtempo beat which fosters that feeling. Prior to the ‘tokyo’ single launch at Wesley Anne on September 1, Verve got the chance to sit down with Robert Baxter and get a snapshot of what’s going on in their world.
’tokyo’ Single Launch - September 1st at the Wesley Anne tickets
Can you fill us in on the backstory of Robert Baxter music and where things are at now?
I grew up in Shepparton which is like two hours north of Naarm. I used to be a full time dance teacher and I did music a bit. I wrote a lot and I released a couple songs as a hobby but there wasn't really a community for me for music there, so I was really into dance at the time.
When I moved to Naarm last year, in February, that's when I really started thinking, Oh maybe I should work more on my music and make it something that I can actually have a career out of. Some friends that I met in Naarm, had heard songs that I'd released when I was in Shepparton and they were really hyping it up. And I was like, oh maybe I should give it another go. I had some songs that were sitting around and hadn't been used yet. So I decided to give them a go, they were ‘Twenty Something’ and ‘Just For The Night’, my two singles that I released last year. For ‘Twenty Something’ I did a fully self directed and self edited music video, it really kicked everything off. I did a headliner show for that release, it was sold out and it was my first headlining show last year, which was really exciting.
This year, I've just started releasing again with ‘tokyo’. I've got a few more releases coming before the end of the year. On September 1, I've got a headliner show, which is going to be like an acoustic set with just a piano and me singing to celebrate the release of ‘tokyo’.
‘Tokyo’ is quite an emotionally laden song. What was the creative process like in making it and how does it feel now that it’s out in the world?
I actually was talking to my friend, talking them through their issues and the things that were going on in their life that were really impacting them. And I just wanted to be able to give them a song where I wanted to let them know that my life is way better, because I have them and if I didn't have them anymore things would be shit. If they didn't want to keep going for themselves, like maybe me saying that I need them would help kind of thing.
So I sat down at the piano, and I started writing the song. As soon as I had finished it, I went and showed him and I just played it to him. And he cried and cried, I asked him if he was okay with me sharing it because it is personal to him, of course. He said he was happy for me to release it. That's how that's how it started and that was just the writing process on the piano. Then I went into Ableton to start producing it and stuff and I fully produced it myself.
Super beautiful, ‘tokyo’ feels warm in tone, and the expression of the lyrics. You mentioned wanting the song to give a metaphorical hug, how central was that idea when creating the song?
I think when I was creating the song, I was thinking about giving a metaphorical hug to my friend, I just wanted to hold him and let him know that I'm always going to be here for him. And I hope he's always here for me. So I think about the experience that we have, I think I wanted to give that story to everyone else too. Because they might relate like they might be the person who's going through a hard time, or they might be someone who's helping someone through a hard time.
Sometimes hearing a song that reflects how you feel it makes you feel so seen. I think for me, the way I feel seen is creating art, about what's happening to me and my emotions and my stories, but some people's outlet is hearing someone else's art that reflects what they're going through.
So I guess within that idea of expression, what draws you into the world of alt pop that you create your music in?
I think pop is so broad, and that's something that I really love about it. I think some people struggle to call themselves a pop artist because pop can kind of seem basic or like when you think of pop, you might think of, actually, I'm not gonna list artists because that could be mean [both laugh]. I think that people think of the artists that are really popular on the radio right now as pop. But I think there's so many incredible artists who are pop, like they can be; alternative pop, or electronic pop, or dream pop or art pop or any sort of thing like that. In the end, like it’s all pop, because pop is just fun music, and I think it's great to express ourselves through music. I think that's part of what pop is all about.
And creating a feeling that many people have, and can relate to. I'm drawn to pop music for the storytelling and also because the production is fun. Obviously, this song is very minimal and sad but I think the fact that I can keep it that way and keep it all about the vocals and all about the lyrics, is something that I really appreciate that pop music gives me.
So it’s that freedom of expression
Yeah exactly.
What are some of the inspiration points for you in creating ‘tokyo’?
I was inspired by this playlist which is just like, my saddest playlist. If I feel like I need a good cry I'll listen to that playlist. I think that when it comes to production, I was inspired by that, I listened to some really great sad songs. I think the lyrics came all naturally just because I wanted to capture how I was feeling and how me and my friend were feeling together. Songs like, ‘listen before I go’ by Billie Eilish, and ‘Sent From Above’ by River Tiber, those ones were really inspirational to me because of the way that their storytelling was even like, ‘Glimpse Of Us’ by Joji. Just songs that everyone loves, that everyone feels in their heart. It's honest songwriting and storytelling, and there isn't much production that's distracting from it, because the song itself is just so beautiful. The vocals are raw, I think it's really exciting to be able to share stories that way.
Given the themes of the song, do you find music therapeutic? What do you think of the concept of music as a form of therapy?
I 100% think music is therapeutic. I think it can make anyone feel any type of way like sometimes when you need to get pepped up before work, you'll play some bangers so that you can feel energised and ready to go. All forms of dancing are prompted by music whether you're in a dance class or you're in a club, like the way you move your body can be tied to the music, music can help you run, music can help you study, music can help you sleep. I think it's incredible, I think especially with sad songs getting the emotions out and having a song that helps you feel seen and getting you through that is so important.
What’s the significance of the city ‘tokyo’ for you?
I always wanted to travel to Tokyo. I think that would be one of my favourite places to travel. I haven't actually been there yet. Me and my friend, the songs talked about how we wanted to go to Tokyo together, and that's kind of where it came from.
Also, there's a movie called Big Hero Six. The main character's brother dies, and then he has this white puffy guy Baymax that is a placeholder of the brother to the main guy. And when they are flying over the city, and the sun setting and that is what inspired the line, “I want to see the sunset on Tokyo” because it's just like something that we said we wanted to do together, when we were watching the movie.
What’s next for Robert Baxter?
I have so many songs that are ready to go, the aim is to release them and do lots of live shows. I played Midsumma and Victoria Pride and I'm excited to play as many festivals as I can at the start of next year. I just want to keep pumping out the music, keep creating space for the community to come together and working towards having a variety of music events that people can go to. I want to create some really good visuals. I want to hire all of the amazing dancers that I have in my community around me. Just gonna keep on keeping on. Hopefully I can get the right manager soon as well. I'd love to get some good management to help push the career further.
'Tokyo' has a really strong message of hope. What words of advice do you have for someone going through what is detailed in the song?
I'm glad that you see it as hopeful, I wanted it to be that way. Life is hard sometimes, like sometimes it really sucks. I think it's important to get your emotions out, whether it's journaling, going on an anxiety run, having an 'everything shower' or letting all your tears rush. Also surrounding yourself with good people that you trust is great. You out there, I hope you're okay, I believe in you, and believe that you can get through it.
Written by Will Brussen
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