ABOUT

Hailing from Minneapolis and supported by a pop/rock pit orchestra, Zaq Baker dares to ask questions like, “What if Billy Joel was younger and dumber?” “What if rock music was uncool?” and, “What if we brought a pop-punk ethic to musical theatre?” His material was once described by a graphic designer as “really whiny” and by a Twin Cities local as “like the male Taylor Swift.”

Zaq’s anthems recount heartbreak, mental health, and the pains of growing up, all with grand piano and candy melodies at the center. Showtunes, emo revival, and forthright lyrics form the backdrop for a unique, relatable collection.

Zaq’s most recent EP, Solarbaby, released in January 2023, celebrates 80’s synthpop and post-punk in a fun departure from Zaq's signature theatrical piano rock. Solarbaby is preceded by This Time It’s Personal, an intimate full-length portrait (2022), a string of four standalone singles (2021-22), fictional EP Maddie’s Delivery Service (2021), the heavily anticipated full-length Cardio (2020), full-length Getting Younger (2018), and EP Housewarming (2017). Zaq's new music video for “Someone to Believe In” (2022) just hit 83K views. His music videos also include “I Wanna Be Your Night Owl” and "Spearmint,” as well as two live video sessions from the Good Kid Manic Summer series.

Zaq is currently working on a full-length musical. His prose has been published in accredited magazines twice in 2022. His debut novel, Frisson, is completed and in process of querying.