Baby Tap: 'I just want to continue what I’m doing, but more, bigger, and better.'

A figurehead in Nottingham's underground music scene, Baby Tap might easily be mistaken for a film star at first glance. Avess covers what it's like to be at the forefront of a pioneering new genre, while also appreciating life's small pleasures.

Are you in search of a fresh and unconventional music act? Look no further than Baby Tap from Nottingham. As a trailblazer in the local music scene and the godfather of digital hardcore electro music, Baby Tap's music is guaranteed to get you moving. A prominent figure in the local underground music scene and an integral part of the local queer community, Avess discusses his experiences, interests, how he began, and what distinguishes his music from the rest.

For starters who is Baby Tap, and what do you represent?

Hi, Baby Tap is me, and I am Avess, some guy from Nottingham. I guess Baby Tap is the demonic alter-ego of myself. It’s not a concept or a costume; it’s more of an ethos. It comes from that primal and violent but ethereal force in our core. The original meaning of Baby Tap is to ‘tap into the baby within’ and to be silly, but it’s shifted into a vessel I use to channel energy from another place. Baby Tap is a force. It’s an energy. You know how Pokémon have abilities? It’s like that. I guess I represent a mix of fantasy, fun, sexuality, and brutal catharsis. Being progressive and future-forward is a big part of Baby Tap too.

For someone who expresses themselves so vividly through their attire and performances, what is something you're passionate about that your audience might not know?

Food. I love food and cooking. If I weren’t a music artist, I would go to university to become a nutritionist. I’m really into cats too. I’m, like, obsessed with cats. I love skincare and grooming and stuff like that. Behind the dramatic outfits and hardcore music, I’m kinda just a big baby. I like watching horror movies, going to the gym, and eating potatoes. I try to be as productive as possible, but I fully believe that looking after myself includes downtime and being ‘lazy’ too. I try to eat well, work out, and take care of myself inside and out, but I also like sitting in bed and playing The Sims and Tomb Raider III.

Your audience has developed into a tight-knit, dedicated community. What do you think allows you or your music to resonate so personally with your fans?

I’ve always used music to vent my thoughts and feelings, including those that you can’t really express with words. It’s always been cathartic for me, a form of meditation and therapy. We all have negative emotions - anger, stress, frustration, and pain - and I use my music to get that out of my system in a completely honest way. I’ve always wanted it to be an invitation for people to do that with me, so I hope people resonate with that. Just to let it all out. I think it’s important, and I think more people need to access that within their being. It’s healing to scream at the top of your lungs and get all this shit out of your system. I think my music and my being is a big fuck-off to societal norms and a conservative way of living, too. It’s punk. I think a lot of people feel the same way as I do. They’re frustrated and angry with the state of things. I have to be unapologetic, including and especially in my queerness, but the ultimate goal is freedom and love. I think my music reflects the chaos of the human spirit and mind within an oppressive way of living, and I think people relate to that, but I’d also like to think some people see value in that.

How did you initially get into producing, and did you instantly realize it was something you wanted to pursue?

I’ve always been a creative kid, but when I was about 12, I found a CD of some rudimentary music maker that came free with a box of cereal. I can’t remember which cereal. It was a program that arranged pre-made loops, but I found it so much fun! I basically scoured the net for all kinds of software, including MIDI-makers that made ringtones for my Nokia, and I guess I just never stopped doing it. Also, I remember hearing ‘Hunter’ by Björk and being so inspired by those uber-heavy 808 kicks and thinking… ‘I want to do that!’

Did any of your music or writing draw inspiration from the local music scene? Who are your primary influences when creating music?

Not in any direct musical way. I kind of just made music for myself. I make music for myself, and if I like it, that’s all that matters. That’s not to say that I don’t totally love and adore the local scene with my whole heart. I’m absolutely inspired by the local scene and community in terms of how amazing, wonderful, and energetic it is. There are some really cool people here, and they inspire me endlessly. Musically, I was more inspired by the internet and all this weird music I was finding from all corners of the world, but especially the sounds that started emerging on Tumblr and SoundCloud during 2013 when I got back into making music after a hiatus. I’ve always been heavily inspired by futurism, electronica, industrial music, and cyberpunk realms, so I guess the internet gave me what I needed. I lived in London at the time I was writing my first album, so I was inspired by the underground queer scene there and all the freaky, creative, and sexy club kids I was hanging out with. In terms of inspirations, I’m open to everything, musical or otherwise. Movies, moods, situations, people… I try to let inspiration come to me, and I just make music when and how I feel. Musically though, the digital hardcore movement inspired me a lot. Bands such as Atari Teenage Riot, Lolita Storm, Cobra Killer, and Ec8or are where my heart is, but also industrial and cyberpunk bands like KMFDM and Angelspit. I have to tip my hat to hip-hop too. Missy Elliott is amazing, and in more recent terms, the creativity and wordplay of rappers like Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks are very inspiring. Of course, I have to mention Sophie too. What an incredible and influential producer and artist. I like pop music too. Charli XCX is great, but I love, like… black metal and goth rock too.

You performed at the waterfront festival last July. How was that experience for you, and what can your long-time fans expect from your upcoming performances?

It was so much fun! It’s such a great atmosphere and an honour to be part of such a line-up! I guess it’s both unnerving and exciting to be faced with a new audience who know nothing about you, but on the whole, people are really receptive and see the humour in what I’m doing. You know, it’s just me and a vocal processor and my laptop, and considering the music I make, it’s really cool for all these fans of heavy metal and punk to welcome me. It’s an honour. It really is! I’m focused on writing new music and a new album at the moment, so my attention is away from live performances, but I always want my shows to be bigger and more. Crazy lighting, dancers, visuals, drama, stupidity, smoke, bubbles. A band! I strive for sonic and visual chaos. I just need someone to cut me a check first so I can afford these things.

Your music is incredibly expressive and distinctive. Have you been trying out any new techniques to evolve your sound?

Thanks so much! I guess the core of what I do is experimental, so I’m always looking to progress technically and get better at making music. I’m always on the hunt for new VSTs and sound banks. It’s important for me to evolve, album to album. I don’t think Baby Tap is stuck in a genre at all, but more of a blend of things that I make my own to ultimately create my own style. I want to do whatever I want, really. Even if I make a genre-based track, I want people to recognize the quirks of my production. Every album has a world and a sound that I let come to me, and I just make music until that world becomes fully realized. I try not to think about it too much, but I always try to do something new. When I write an album, I want every song to be cohesive but also totally different. It’s very important for me to try new things.

What can we expect from Baby Tap moving forward, and what is your strategy for growing your audience?

I have no idea. I’m working on a new album, and I just want to continue what I’m doing, but more, bigger, and better. I’m a music artist and creative in that aspect. Finding my audience has been a struggle, to be honest. The market is saturated, so I guess I just have to try a bit harder to do silly things that I don’t really care about, like making Instagram reels and plugging the shit out of my music. I want to do more shows and perform at festivals. I guess the dream would be to perform at an international level. I know I can do it, and I know I will do it, but getting there? I’m still figuring that out. I have to believe in myself and work hard. That’s all I can do.

Conclusion

Baby Tap on Spotify