Composer/filmmaker Chad Edward Baker explores imaginary worlds with new album of collected compositions.
Matt Carter
Freelance composer and filmmaker Chad Edward Baker has been involved in a number of film and sound projects over the past three years. A graduate of the Toronto Film School, Baker recently released his debut album, To Never See the Light of Day, a collection of compositions and sound experiments compiled from some of his recent projects.
“It was initially conceived for an upcoming virtual reality project, however some of the songs are their own thing. Some of them were even created for other projects in previous years,” said Baker. “I have come to know in my time working in the film industry, things can take a long time, and sometimes they never see the light of day, hence the title. We all have a lot of time on our hands these days, and I felt like it was just a good time to put this out there and see where it stands.”
While his work composing for film usually involves working with visual cues, Baker said much of this album was created mostly by feel, working off conversations and his own imagination.
As with most musical projects that find their origin as a compliment to something else, To Never See the Light of Day is very much a mood-based album, and one that weaves together dark textures and ominous tones that generate a strong sense of intentional discomfort.
“Since the VR project was only really a concept at the time I was making the music, I made it largely without visual cues,” he said. “I was given only a feeling and my own mental picture of what it would play under to go off of. I developed the connection for the tracks as I went along. It’s kind of ambiguous, but it’s meant to convey a feeling of uncertainty and isolation.”
As both a filmmaker and a composer, Baker enjoys making discoveries as he works through each process and isn’t afraid to follow an idea that may arrive unexpectedly.
“I’m way more loose and experimental with my compositions than my editing,” said Baker. “I like to just kind of let myself go when composing music, and hopefully disappear in it. With my editing, I know I have to be a little more structured, and not let myself go down a rabbit hole. I think the difference is that I have formal training in film, and music is more self taught for me. The similarity I think is that I am a reactionary artist in both. If I see something I didn’t expect and it intrigues me enough, I like to follow it.”
