Rooftops & Revelations: Inside the World of Brendan Baker

Rooftops & Revelations: Inside the World of Brendan Baker

The late‑afternoon hum of the Sunset Strip drifts through the open doors of the Coffee Bean as Brendan Baker slides into the seat across from me, warm‑voiced and wide‑eyed in that unmistakable way artists get when they’re living right on the edge of their next breakthrough. Fresh off a standout performance at We Found New Music, where he played his entire Rooftop Cassette with the kind of emotional clarity that stops a room cold, Baker carries the energy of someone who knows exactly where he’s headed — and is sprinting toward it with purpose.

Over iced coffees and the buzz of passing traffic, he talks about everything from his operatic training at Cal Lutheran to the grind of the Los Angeles music scene, from bedroom‑produced quarantine confessions to the soaring pop‑rock anthems he’s crafting now. There’s a sincerity to him — a grounded, thoughtful presence — that makes it easy to understand why audiences connect so quickly. Brendan Baker isn’t just chasing a dream; he’s building one, brick by brick, song by song, rooftop by rooftop.

Hey, we’re here with Brendan Baker. First of all, give me a little background on yourself, including your operatic training.
Absolutely. I’ve been singing for about twelve years now. I started in middle school when I randomly decided to audition for my first musical. That’s where I discovered I could actually sing. From there, I took vocal lessons, joined a couple of bands as a middle schooler, and we ended up rocking our school talent show. We got a standing ovation, and that was the first time I felt like a real rock star.

I kept going—joined choirs in high school, college, and even a professional choir after college. I studied vocal performance and opera for four years at Cal Lutheran University on a vocal scholarship. It was an amazing program. Opera training taught me so much about expression, performance, and how to use my voice properly while still conveying emotion. It really shaped the way I approach singing today.

What do you think of our local Los Angeles music scene overall?
Honestly, it’s buzzing. There’s something happening every single day, and I love that. I try to get out to at least one concert a week—sometimes two. Some weeks I’m performing one show and attending a couple more. It’s a blast.

The biggest challenge for me has been finding opportunities where you don’t have to pay to play. Starting out as an artist already comes with so many expenses, and then on top of that, a lot of venues want you to pay or bring a full four‑piece band. That can be tough when you’re just getting your footing.

But overall, I really love the scene. People are friendly, supportive, and open to connecting. It’s felt like a genuinely great place to grow as an artist.

Let’s talk about some of your new songs. Your latest one is “Against the Grain.” Give me a little background on that track and the inspiration behind it.
Yeah! I wrote that one with my friend from high school, Joseph Silva—he’s also an artist. We’d always been close but had never actually collaborated before. Last year we finally sat down to write something together, and “Against the Grain” came out of that session.

It’s basically our ode to the LA music scene—this idea of pushing forward even when people tell you it’s too hard or you’ll never make it. It’s our little rebellion against that mindset. Music is my passion and the thing I feel I’m best at, so the song is about committing to that path no matter what.

“Damage” — tell me about that one.
“Damage” started as a project for a college class. It was a music recording and production course where we had to write, record, mix, and master a full song. I wrote it during the first semester, then brought in some great players the next semester to record it.

It became a real labor of love over a couple of years. When I first wrote it, I actually couldn’t sing the lead vocal very well—it was high in my range—so I had to grow into it. By the time I released it, I could finally sing it the way it was meant to be sung. I even performed it live at the Viper Room last summer with my band, which was a huge moment for me.

“Patiently” — tell me about that one.
“Patiently” is a ballad I wrote about waiting for the right girl to come along, but also about the frustration of modern dating—being left on read, ghosting, mixed signals, all of that. It’s my heartfelt message of, “I’m here, I’m ready, and I’ll be waiting whenever you find me.”

One of the most striking parts of your performance at We Found New Music was when you played the entire Rooftop Cassette. Tell me about that project and the inspiration behind it.
Thank you—that means a lot. We loved performing it live.

The Rooftop Cassette was a really unique process for me. It was the first time I sat down and wrote an EP from start to finish with a full narrative arc. It begins with “Out of My Head,” which is about an airport crush—seeing someone perfect but knowing you’ll never talk because you’re headed in different directions.

From there, the EP imagines what that relationship could have been. You try to make all the pieces fit, but something’s just off. Eventually it falls apart, which leads into “I Don’t Think She Loves Me.” That song is about moving on separately—she’s maybe dating someone new, and I’m pretending I’m fine, but deep down I’m still in love with her. It’s that bittersweet realization that the feelings aren’t mutual anymore.

You did Lessons Learned in Quarantine in 2020 — it’s the first thing I saw on Spotify. What was it like recording that during such a historic moment?
That was my first project ever, and I keep it up as a marker of where I started versus where I’m headed. Recording it was pretty surreal. I made the whole thing in my bedroom on a free version of Ableton — it was literally my first attempt at producing music.

I did the best I could with what I knew at the time. I loved the songs themselves, but the production definitely needed work. Still, it represented everything I had in me at that moment. Quarantine taught me to be myself and follow my dream. When the world shut down, all I really had was music. Friends moved away, everything felt isolated, and writing those songs became my truest expression of who I was. That’s why the project still means so much to me.

It was a time of reflection for everyone. Now, for people who haven’t been to your show yet, what can they expect from a live Brendan Baker performance?
Energy — lots of it. We’re an exciting act to watch. My sound blends pop and rock, so we use backing tracks I’ve created that are stripped‑down versions of the studio recordings, and then my live band brings everything to life. They’re insanely talented and add their own flair, finding new moments and textures that make the songs feel fresh and alive.

That combination gives my voice a strong foundation to soar over. I get to really sing at these shows, and the band elevates everything to a whole new level.

If you could open for any band or artist — past or present — who would it be and why?
Coldplay, hands down. They’ve been my favorite band for twenty years. Their creative process, their collaboration, the way they make music as a true unit — it’s all so inspiring. They’ve been together for over thirty years and are still touring the world at the highest level. Opening for them someday would be a dream come true.

I was thinking about Coldplay and that couple who got “Coldplayed.” If that happened at your show, what would it be called?
Baked Cake!

I like that — Baked Cake. Okay, next ridiculous question: if your music were a donut, what kind would it be and why?
Whoa. I’d say a filled donut — maybe custard or jelly. On the surface you’ve got the frosting and the sweetness, but inside there’s depth, richness, and contrast. There’s more going on beneath the surface, just like in my music.

What would you like a listener to remember most after hearing your music for the first time?
That they’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, someone else has felt it too. You have people who love you, think about you, and want the best for you — more than you realize.

For years I thought I had to do everything myself: write, sing, produce, handle it all alone. But over the last two years, I’ve learned to collaborate, to ask for help, to speak up when my needs aren’t being met. It’s helped me grow as a person and trust the world more. Sharing that sense of connection and hope through my music is my ultimate goal.

Last question: what do you hope the rest of 2026 brings for you?
Hopefully my first opening slot on a tour. I’d love to travel, play music, and meet more people who love hearing live music. I just want to keep sharing my songs with the world and building on the momentum we’ve started. I feel like we’re on a good track, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

In Conclusion

As the sun dipped behind the Sunset Strip and the last of our coffees disappeared, one thing about Brendan Baker became unmistakably clear: he’s an artist in motion — not rushing, not forcing, but steadily rising with intention and heart. Whether he’s unpacking the quiet lessons of quarantine, belting out rooftop heartbreak anthems, or dreaming of the day he steps onto a stage before Coldplay, Baker carries a rare mix of humility and fire that makes you believe he’ll get exactly where he’s headed.

In a city overflowing with noise, Brendan is carving out a lane built on honesty, connection, and the kind of emotional transparency that turns casual listeners into lifelong fans. If 2026 is the year he finds his first tour, his first major breakthrough, or his first moment on a much bigger stage, it won’t be by accident — it’ll be because he’s done the work, lived the stories, and poured every bit of himself into the songs that brought him here.

And if the universe is listening — Coldplay, you know who to call.

(Interview by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)

Brendan Baker on Instagram