A recent Queensland Conservatorium graduate has nabbed the incredible honour of being selected as the support act for Joan Armatrading’s solo Brisbane show at QPAC as part of her last major world tour.
The front man of Creature Kind, David Baker, studied a Bachelor of Popular Music and has recently knuckled down in the studio with fellow alumnus,bass player and producer Zachary Miller (Art vs Science, Jimmy Barnes, Twinsy, The Last Dinosaurs) and also Brendan Anthony (George, INXS, Wheatus, The Phoncurves), to create his much-anticipated debut EP for launch later this year.
The Mt Tamborine singer-songwriter describes his music as a stylistically ambiguous cross between indie rock, electronic and acoustic pop, and says he can’t wait to be in the presence of an artist he has admired since childhood.
“I grew up listening to music by Joan Armatrading and it is a great honour to be opening for someone of her immense talent and many years of experience,” he said.
A self-professed “slave to the song”, David says his music is not merely an expression of creativity but also importantly, an outlet to inspire change.
After travelling to Cambodia earlier this year, the tragedy of sex trafficking and its impact on young women in the region profoundly affected him.
“For many musicians, the music alone is the be all and end all,” he explains.
“But after seeing how so many young women are forced to live, it made me realise thatI would trade it all in a heartbeat if it meant a change for just one girl.
“It propelled me to use my music as a tool to bring about such needed social change,” he says.
Shortly after arriving home, David composed the soundtrack to a documentary filmed during the trip by JC Denim and Destiny Rescue, to highlight their involvement in bringing new sustainable work opportunities for victims of trafficking — hand making quality jeans.
The title track ‘We Cry’, produced by David and fellow band member and producer Zac Miller, was then released nationwide with all profits from the sale going directly to the JC Denim project.
Creature Kind has since toured up and down the eastern coast of Australia and within Queensland and has performed as a featured artist atthe popular Seed Project, a weekly mini-festival of free original live music at QPACshowcasing the immense talent from the Queensland Conservatorium.
Creature Kind will open for A Very Special SOLO Evening with Joan Armatrading concert on Sunday 14 December from 7.00pm.
Follow Creature Kind on facebookorwatch his story on YouTube.