Louis Baker Drops 'Love Levitates' EP

Louis Baker's shiny new offering Love Levitates has materialised today, the hotly awaited follow-up to his well lauded 2019 debut album Open. Not that Baker's been resting on his laurels, the Pōneke neo-soul songwriter has cropped up on features with Anna Coddington and Team Dynamite in the past year alone, and has clearly been plugging away at today's delightful seven-track EP with producer and multi-instrumentalist Devin Abrams (Drax Project, Pacific Heights). To celebrate the new release, Louis Baker and a few choice special guests zip around the country next month "to sing together, groove together" to old songs and new. Catch the velvet-voiced Silver Scroll and Taite Music Prize-nominated act with support slots from Arjuna Oakes, Gee Clifford and Marley Sola, as well as a guest spot from jazz champ Nathan Haines for the Tāmaki show. Dates, deets and tunes below...

Louis Baker Love Levitates Tour

Saturday 3rd July - Hollywood Theatre, Auckland w/ Arjuna Oakes, Nathan Haines
Friday 9th July - Theatre Royal, Nelson w/ Arjuna Oakes
Saturday 10th July - James Hay Theatre, Christchurch w/ Gee Clifford, Marley Sola
Saturday 17th July - Opera House, Wellington w/ Arjuna Oakes

Tickets via louisbaker.co.nz

Press release:

Today, Louis Baker releases his much-anticipated Love Levitates EP ahead of a nationwide release tour this July. See supports artists announced below.

The brand new EP takes Baker's signature brand of modern-soul and wholehearted lyrics to bright, new territory. Working with producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Devin Abrams (Drax Project, Pacific Heights), Love Levitates is a journey of self-exploration and focuses on themes of heritage, love, friendship, and observation.

Baker's release comes two weeks before a nationwide tour featuring a full band that commences in Auckland on July 3rd with special guest Aotearoa Jazz legend Nathan Haines. Supporting artists on the tour are Wellington singer and multi-instrumentalist Arjuna Oakes for Auckland, Nelson and Wellington; and Christchurch musicians Gee Clifford & Marley Sola for Christchurch. The band features Cory Champion (Borrowed Cs, Mara TK, Glass Vaults) on drums, Johnny Lawrence (Hollie Smith, Name UL) on bass, James Illingworth (Rob Ruha) on keys, along with Kirsten Te Rito and Moana Leota on backing vocals.

Following Baker's sold-out show with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) in February, the Silver Scroll and Taite Music Prize-nominated artist is relishing the thought of performing around the country next month. “I’m very excited to take this record on the road with my band. I can’t wait to sing together, groove together, get deep on songs from my previous records and celebrate by sharing the new songs from this new EP,” says Baker.