10 Questions with Bakermat

PUBLISHED August 23rd, 2016 05:30 pm | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 02:35 pm

An alias for the Dutch electronic dance producer Lodewijk Fluttert, Bakermat makes uplifting house music containing smooth guitars and saxophones, as well as samples from genres such as soul, gospel, and disco. Active since 2012, his music is a direct precedent of the “tropical house” and “melodic house” subgenres that gained prominence during the mid-2010s.

Fluttert began to make music at the age of 18 when he studied at the University of Utrecht and discovered deep house. Quickly learning DJ’ing and production techniques, he released two tracks in 2012 (“Zomer” and the Martin Luther King-sampling “Vandaag“) and soon came to the attention of several electronic music labels. His melodic, jazz-influenced house music attracted large crowds and led to him performing at the EDM festival Tomorrowland and since then, he has continued playing festivals and high-profile gigs both as a DJ and with a live band.

Bakermat was in town for Garden Beats Festival 2016 Vol.2 organized by the folks at Sunshine Nation and we’ve sat him down for 10 questions about his thoughts on Asia, his musical influences and his upcoming plans.

Hi Lodewijk! Where were you born and raised?

I was raised in a little town in the east of Holland, so you could say I’m essentially a small town boy. I currently live in Amsterdam though, where I’m having the time of my life.

When did you begin making music?

I started making music at around 8 years old. I played the saxophone, and was already experimenting with self-recording.

Your music is primarily classified as deep/melodic house with that jazzy and soulful spin to it. Tell us more about your approach in the studio when producing these tracks.

Well I never really start with a totally blank canvas. I always go to art exhibitions, watch movies, listen to music, search the internet for inspiration – perhaps by a melody or specific sound. Then I start building an entire track around that sound. Sometimes I even toss the sound away at the end of my production! There’s never really structure when I’m building the music around this melody, I just do what my heart says I should do.

Who are your musical influences?

Flume, Miles Davis, James Brown, Moby, Fatboy Slim, Aretha Franklin, Alan Lomax and the list goes on and on and on! I listen to a lot of different genres and artists to find inspiration!

How do you find Asia?

I really love how young the dance scene is here. People are just discovering it and are very curious to find out about all the different subgenres! It reminds me of the hunger for dance music there was in Europe eight years ago.

What was the first record you ever bought?

A single by Eminem! I think it was “My Name Is”. I was, and still am, a huge fan of his music. He’s one of my musical heroes.

Do you see yourself more as a music producer or a live artist?

Difficult questions because I love both a lot. I guess in essence I will always be more of a music producer because it all started with production. I love the feeling of creating something in a room by yourself, and knowing you can share that creation with the rest of the world.

What’s a typical Bakermat day like leading up to a gig?

I’m pretty serious when it comes to gigs. I’ll always be there an hour before I perform. I like hanging out backstage, having drinks with the crew and other artists. I always try to arrive well rested, so I usually take a powernap before coming to the venue or the festival.

How do you entertain yourself when touring?

Watching hours and hours of TV shows, haha. I especially love shows like Game of Thrones, because it’s a real binge watcher. Before you know it, your 13-hour flight is done!

What is next in store for Bakermat?

I have a lot of exciting releases coming this year, and also a super hectic summer tour. After the Asia tour, I have a European tour planned, and after that a North American tour with Sam Feldt. Will be watching a lot of TV shows for sure, haha!

All Garden Beats Festival photos by Colossal Photos.

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