A Quick Chat with Robert Baxter

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW TRACK AND WHAT YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

My new song ‘blue’ is a reflection of my emotional honesty and how much it hurts when other people conceal their feelings. I tore my heart out to wear it on my sleeve and I’d do it again and again. I don’t think anyone should close themselves off from love. It’s a banger that I wrote, recorded and produced myself, with extra prod from Alex Garla, and I want people to feel confident and sexy and free when they hear it. Telling people how you feel is sexy - Robert Baxter.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR INFLUENCES AND WHY?

I’m influenced by relationships and emotions, I feel so hard. I’m influenced by my Taiwanese culture and being mixed race because it’s a unique experience I can draw upon. I’m influenced by artists like Rihanna because she is so versatile and covers Pop, RnB, Rap, and I do too and will eventually explore more worlds this way. I’m influenced by my community around me, I think having deep conversations is my favourite hobby.

WHAT'S THE CREATIVE PROCESS FOR YOU, FROM WRITING THROUGH TO RECORDING?

I sit at the piano and dump out my feelings, then take those written down feelings into ableton to add layers and texture until it’s a hit. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES A GREAT SONG?

I’m such a lyrics person, I love when there are stand out lines and a catchy hook. I also love drama, whether that’s in the production or the lyrics, I just think something should be memorable. 

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR MUSIC?

I explore what it’s like to navigate relationships in the digital era, how it seems like if you’re in your early 20’s everyone is jumping onto the next best tinder match. I explore being a queer POC in a country that is filled with mostly white straight cisgender people. I like to share my personal life and journey, and be a visual for a queer person that they’re going to be okay. I want to have fun with it too, life is fun.

IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY ARTIST, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

International artists I’d love to collaborate with Nicki Minaj. She's so iconic to me and she can eat any beat. There’s a lot of Australian artists I’ve met who are so talented and nice, some faves are Mallrat, Vetta Borne and Ashwarya. 

WHEN NOT WORKING ON MUSIC, TELL US ABOUT ALL OF YOUR OTHER CREATIVE OUTLETS? 

I am a model/actor and I have worked with some cool brands like Nike and Virgin airlines, and walked Australian Fashion Week. I used to be a full time dance teacher, and I used those skills in the blue music video. I sometimes do workshops for young people in dancing, song writing and being your authentic self. I also use my creative skills to direct and edit my music videos and photoshoots. I love keeping busy. 

WHO ARE SOME LOCAL ARTISTS WE SHOULD CHECK OUT?

I’m obsessed with the three gorg artists who supported my last headline show, SHRETA, YARA and Charlie McCosh.

WINTER OR SUMMER AND WHY?

I used to like winter more, the clothes are nicer. I love layering, but now that I’m in the city everything fun happens in summertime, festivals, the beach, going out (to dinner or otherwise) is nicer when it’s not raining. So Summer!

WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE?

I have so much more music coming, I get better each release, meet more people to help me with my music videos etc. I’m playing more shows, looking hotter everyday, dancing more, you should follow me @robertbaxtr so you can be a part of my journey to super pop stardom.