Lee Muddy Baker

Infobox musical artist
Name = Lee 'Muddy' Baker
Img_capt = Baker in My Federation
Img_size =
Background =
Birth_name =
Born = birth date and age|1969|11|16
Died =
Origin = flagicon|England Watford, England
Instrument = Bass Guitar, Guitar, Tabla
Genre = Alternative rock, Electronica
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1989 - present
Label = Eye Industries, Chrysallis
Associated_acts = My Federation James Tim Booth Marbaker
URL = [http://www.myfederation.co.uk/ My Federation]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Lee “Muddy” Baker (born November 16, 1969) is a UK based singer-songwriter, producer, performer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.

Early years

Lee Baker grew up in Watford, England where he attended Watford Boys' Grammar School. Having gained A-Levels in Art, Maths & Physics he went on to read Modern Art at the University of Newcastle, where he graduated in 1992. During his time at university, Baker formed and fronted his first band, "Cup of Sunshine".

Marbaker

Baker left Newcastle to settle in Brighton and it was here that he truly focussed on forging a career in the music industry, forming a new 4 piece band, "Marbaker". The new band soon proved hugely popular on the live music circuit. It was not long before "Marbaker" was signed to Chrysalis Music and toured the UK to promote the band’s debut single, "Hope You Find".

This first release received national radio airplay and the accolade of Melody Maker’s Single of the Week as voted by the band "Gomez". However, frustrated with the direction in which the band was going, "Marbaker" split up and the first album was never made.

Performer, Writer & Producer

After the break up of "Marbaker", Baker continued to perform, write and produce new material both for himself, other artists including Mo Solid Gold and Chung King and for TV programmes and advertising. In a move away from the more soulful and hypnotic beats of Marbaker, Baker co-wrote, performed and produced a clutch of club tunes under the guise of "Special Unit". The most successful of these was "Sights on You" which was hugely popular on the UK and Miami club scene, reaching number 1 in Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 Buzz Chart in the UK.

Baker continues to work for and with others; he produced an acoustic remix of the hit single "Borderline" by Michael Gray and wrote the score for an episode of BBC Four's Arena series, celebrating 57 years of the BBC Radio 4 radio drama serial "The Archers" - a testament to Baker's breadth of musical capabilities.

Tim Booth & James

Baker teamed up with Tim Booth, at the time the ex-front man of the band James. The two formed a strong friendship based on a chance meeting in Brighton which ultimately led to the release of the highly acclaimed album "Bone" which was produced by Baker, and written by Booth, Baker and KK (Kevin Kerrigan). The album artwork was also created by Baker. The band was called "Tim Booth and the Individuals", and toured the UK and the USA and received much radio airplay, including the UK’s Virgin Radio and BBC Radio 2 with Jonathan Ross. The band also appeared on TV on BBC Three and played to a packed crowd at the Glastonbury Festival. The album, although highly acclaimed, never achieved commercial success, and the band have moved on to pursue their individual interests. Tim Booth had a small part in the film Batman Begins and is writing a screenplay, but most notably is now back with James who announced their reformation in January 2007. Lisa Lindley Jones is embarking upon a solo career, and her first single "Firetime" was released in October 2006.

Baker produced James's new album Hey Ma, which was released on the 7th April 2008.

My Federation

Since the end of Tim Booth and the Individuals, Baker has formed a new band, My Federation which has played to live audiences in London, Brighton and Edinburgh as well at festivals including Guilfest and Ben & Jerry's in Brighton. The band opened for INXS at the Brighton Dome in June 2007 and played at the acclaimed Trans Musicale Festival in France in December 2007. My Federation released their first EP "Honey Bee" in April 2007 to much acclaim. Paul Lester, writing for The Guardian, claims that "My Federation sound like the Who at the peak of their mock-operatic pomp", [http://music.guardian.co.uk/newbands/story/0,,2081086,00.html Guardian.co.uk] . The band's second single "Don't Wanna Die" was released in April 2008 as was their debut album, also called "Don't Wanna Die". The releases coincided with the band being the support act for James's 2008 Spring UK tour. In May 2008, the band appeared on the popular BBC TV programme, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cultureshow/videos/2008/05/s5_p1_federation1/index.shtml the Culture Show] . The band toured Europe in the summer of 2008, playing at various festivals in the UK, France, Switzerland and Latvia and, in the autumn of 2008, EA Sports selected "What Gods Are These" from the album "Don’t Wanna Die" for the [http://fifa2009.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/fifa-soccer-09-in-game-soundtrack-track-listing in-game soundtrack] for the latest version of its best-selling soccer game, FIFA09. The band has plans for a second album and UK tour in 2009.

Trivia

Coincidence? Martin Rossiter, ex front-man of the 90’s Brit Pop band "Gene", also went to Watford Boys' Grammar School, also now lives in Brighton, also supported James on tour and also had a tune ("Be My Light") voted Melody Maker’s Single of the Week.

External links

* [http://www.myfederation.co.uk/ My Federation's website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/myfederation My Space - info on current gigs]
* [http://www.wearejames.com/ Official re-launched James website]