After being launched into the scene with her first EP “Placebo”, the Irish-born soul singer did not disappoint with her new eight track project “What Now”. Full of modern beats and simple production, Carrie’s honesty and straight-forward-ness has quickly made her a fan favourite. Having just finished up a UK & Ireland wide tour in unison with her newest release, Carrie Baxter is certainly making her mark in the world of hip-hop.

Speaking about her newest EP, Carrie explains, “Narratively, this project is very different for me in comparison to ‘Placebo’. It was very much written in the first person and was quite a cathartic experience whereas ‘What Now’ is much more collaborative and some of the songs on there are not about my life, per se.” We spoke to Carrie about her experiences in 2021, her inspo and creative muse when making music, and of course about her latest project “What Now”.

Head below to read our full interview with Carrie Baxter.

Hey Carrie, how are you? How has 2021 been for you?
Hey, I’m good thanks, hanging in there – 6 weeks till I’m on a plane home to Ireland to chill. 2021 has been crazy – a whirlwind to say the least, very challenging year. 

With everything that happened last year, how was your creativity affected?
My creativity had its ups and downs like everyone I guess. One day I would write loads and the next I was freaking out that I had lost my “spark” lol I did feel a bit nuts in lockdown.

How did you first get into music, what sparked the interest?
Well I guess firstly there is no denying the presence and history of music, storytelling & rhythm in Ireland, it feels natural to love music, almost an inherited love for it. I grew up in a very musical family, there was always decent music on in my house growing up and a lot of my family were/ are musicians and I was encouraged to play from a young age. I don’t think I realised how much I loved music until I hit my teenage years when I found Hip-Hop.

And you’re from Ireland but moved to London, do you think this change impacted your sound in anyway?
Yeah 100%. I’ve lived in London for around 12 years now so the city is part of me as much as my home is. I didn’t start writing music until I came to London and so I would say my taste in sounds has been completely shaped here in comparison to perhaps the narratives I reflect on which is across the board from growing up in Ireland to living in the fast lane in London.

You’ve just dropped your EP “What Now”, talk us through your mindset approaching the project?
I co-wrote this whole project with my friend GRAMM. It’s been so close to us for so many years I guess I have to jog my memory back to when we started it a couple of years ago because finishing it was an almighty stress in the middle of another lockdown and him not being in the same country as me. We just wanted it to be a total amalgamation of how we hear music together.

Which song means the most to you?
Honestly, I usually have a deep attachment to 1 song but on this project I don’t. Placebo – my first EP was very different, it was a very personal EP for me and it took a lot for me to write about certain things on there and so the songs cut a little deeper. These songs are written from a very different place for me as a writer and so they all sorta carry equal weight.

You’ve drawn from other people’s experiences in the project such as the single “You”, is it a different writing process when you do this?
Yeah most definitely. When writing “You” I guess I just listened to the story of their relationship, how they both felt when with and without each other and then started to think about how it might sound if he was singing this to her or what he might say to convey his feelings.

What do you want people to take away from your sound?
Hmm tough question, comfort, like you know me personally when you press play. 

Who would you say inspires you?
Lots of people in different ways. Some inspire me to keep swimming, some inspire me to write music. I guess the most obvious answer is people who are already achieving what I want but more so everyone in my inner circle. They all share similar qualities that I like to keep around me.

What are you most excited for? What’s next for you?
Most of the work I have put out over the last 2 years has been written about the past or were made in the past and released quite a bit later on. I feel like I’m starting with a blank canvas in 2022 – like damn, I have to get to know myself again, what sounds do I like now, what do I have to say now, do I want to work with more people, less people – who knows- all of these questions – it feels daunting and exciting all at the same time. Hopefully some more live opportunities too – that would be nice – I miss singing live.