PREMIERE + Q&A: Carrie Baxter shares new single '4/4 (Love Affair)'

Following the release of her acclaimed single 'Love Me Better', Carrie Baxter returns with '4/4 (Love Affair)' – giving us another taste of what to expect from her highly anticipated debut mixtape, Placebo.

The Waterford artist, who has been tipped by Hot Press as one of the most thrilling talents in the country, powerfully marries neo-soul and jazz in a similar vein to the legendary likes of Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu. Already generating a major buzz in the UK, her previous single 'Love Me Better' landed her on the cover of Spotify's coveted The New Éire playlist – as well as garnering plenty of radio support and playlist inclusions.

Ahead of the release, Carrie Baxter told us all about the new single, her influences, Ireland's thriving urban music scene and her plans for the future.

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‘4/4 (Love Affair)’ is a record about how we chase external factors to try and find fulfilment. What inspired that?

Carrie: A whole lot of introspection. It was just what I was going through at the time of writing it. I spent a long time chasing other things and ignoring music, when really all I needed to do was write.

You’ve found a sound that hasn’t really been heard in Irish music – blending jazz and neo-soul. Was it difficult initially carving out that path on your own?

I make music that I’d like to listen to – and that’s all there is to it! I’m forever grateful for the vast array of music and artists I was exposed to throughout my life, because I can hear them in my music. I have a lengthy list of influences but the ones that stand out across the years are Van Morrison, Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, A Tribe Called Quest and Kendrick Lamar.

Could you see a strong R&B/soul scene emerging in Ireland in the coming years?

I would love that. This is an incredibly strong and interesting time for Irish music. The hip-hop renaissance we’re having is incredible, so I would imagine that will inspire lots of other avenues to open up. I’m really enjoying Alex Gough and Kojaque at the minute. The rise of independent artists and DIY ways of making music will also be responsible for a boom in sounds we haven’t heard before.

Your debut EP, Placebo, is out in June. What's the central concept behind the project?

The concept was modelled on an old school hip-hop mixtape, which includes cutaways, interludes and voice notes that take you through the story. It’s really an extension of what I spoke about in ‘4/4 (Love Affair)’. It explores my personal experiences of a number of things that I chased constantly, thinking they would fulfil me or somehow make me feel better than I was feeling. I remember reading a sentence in Russel Brand’s Recovery, where he alludes to the shallow pursuit of things in his life, such as fame, power and sex, being similar to the effect of placebo tablets – and the name just clicked with me. I guess I owe him commission now, eh?

Obviously everything's a bit up in the air at the moment – but what’s the plan for after the release?

It’s been a busy couple of weeks – challenging to say the least. Finalising the EP, preparing for release and shooting the cover in my flat via FaceTime (yes, madness). I’ve also been finishing collaborations with some amazing artists, so I’ve got a lot of new music coming over the next few months. Some festivals I had booked to play are sadly cancelled, so we are constantly pivoting every week with plans. I’m crossing my fingers that potential Irish live dates I had for the latter half of the year will go ahead.

‘4/4 (Love Affair)’ is out now. Carrie Baxter’s debut EP, Placebo, is out on June 12.