Presented by Saint Lachine

Early next month, celebrated soulful singer-songwriter Louis Baker embarks on his long-awaited album tour, supported by a strong lineup of emerging homegrown artistry and talent.

Open sees Baker taking the next step, tackling issues of personal and global significance with the kind of sincerity and organic artistry that is truly rare to come by. “Each song on the album is a conversation. On this record, I try to put life into perspective, battle between the light and the dark,and seek to make sense of the world around me,” Baker explains.

From Baker’s humble home studio set up in Pōneke/Wellington, New Zealand, to London, Los Angeles, and Sydney, Open came together in collaboration with many friends and notable names such as Grammy-nominated Engineer and Producer, Steve Rusch (Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Raphael Saadiq), Brad Ellis (Jorja Smith, James Arthur, Wilkinson), Jordan Rakei (Tom Misch, Disclosure) who co-produced the title track with Louis, multi-platinum selling songwriter Lindy Robbins (Andra Day, Chromeo), Josh Fountain (Bene, LEISURE, MAALA), and Laura Bettinson (FEMME).

Baker’s debut album sees the celebrated artist dive into new emotional depths, weaving themes of self-acceptance and human connection into an expansive body of work. Sitting at nine tracks, Open features Baker's playlist-smashing single So Lo (11 x New Music Fridays, 675k Spotify streams) which premiered with Pilerats, Baker’s beloved anthem for his home turf The People, plus the Silver Scroll nominated Black Crow and more that are yet to be discovered. The #1 charting album currently sits at 3.3 million Spotify streams with loving accolades floating in from around the world:

‘rich and intoxicating’-Pilerats
‘with his debut album finally out in June, it's a voice we'll be hearing a lot more of’-Newshub
'incredibly soulful.. stiflingly raw'-Earmilk
‘the future's certainly looking bright for Baker’-Undertheradar

Joining Louis and band for the Christchurch leg is friend and collaborator Gee Clifford, while Auckland will be treated to the soulful sounds of Lou’ana. Wrapping up in Baker’s hometown of Wellington, get down to the Sky Canvas duo in the tour finale, hosted at the legendary San Fran.

Gee Clifford, Christchurch
Christchurch based soulful singer/songwriter has amassed an international following including the likes of Erykah Badu with her soulful voice and keyboard feels. Watch Louis & Gee in ‘So Lo’.

Lou’ana, Auckland
Lou’ana’s voice carries the stature of an old soul; a cosmic cocktail of sweet and soulful, with an added gritty, blues edge.

Sky Canvas, Wellington
Off-centre soul outfit Sky Canvas will be performing a stripped back set, highlighting the musings of lead vocalist Katelin Little and guitarist Sam Nakamura.

Thursday 08 August, 2019 - Blue Smoke, Christchurch
with support from Gee Clifford
Friday 09 August, 2019 - The Tuning Fork, Auckland
with support from Lou’ana
Saturday 10 August, 2019 - San Fran, Wellington
with support from Sky Canvas as duet

tickets via louisbaker