Contributor Interview: Julian Baptista

What are you currently doing?

Right now I’m finishing my degree in music and social justice through Goddard College, along with performing in the Salem and greater Boston area, and writing some new material.

What are your plans for the future?

I am currently working to develop more contacts in my local music scene, both with other musicians and local venues. My plans for the future are to continue to build my fan base, and work to book as many performances as possible. I am not sure whether it would be a good idea at this point to pursue a record contract, but I am looking into the possibility.

How long have you been performing and writing music?

I have been playing guitar for roughly ten years, and have been singing for longer than that. I began writing music for around 6 years, and have constantly worked to get better at it.

What are you interested in saying with your music?

Although I do not try to address major issues with all of my music, I try to be socially conscious with several of my songs. For example, the title track for my album Lost in the Crowd describes our culture’s tendency to ignore homeless people in our cities. The idea for this song came from when I was waiting in a train station and there was a homeless man sleeping on the floor, being completely ignored by everyone there.

Why music?

I have loved music for all of my life, and it has always been what I am best at. I have never found anything that lets me feel the way performing in front of a crowd does.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Late last year I emailed back and forth with a really great musician and friend named Carsie Blanton asking for advice for my career. During that conversation Carsie gave a very important piece of advice which was to make friends with everyone you meet, because you never know who can help you get a gig, a meeting with someone important, or simply become another fan.