News Chris Baio: ‘It’s Important For Me Not To Get Too Complacent’

Chris Baio is more usually known for his role in Vampire Weekend, but on the verge of embarking upon a solo career, DIY decided to delve a little deeper.

‘I’ve been passionate about DJ-ing and dance music for as long as I can remember,’ Baio begins, a million miles away, in San Francisco. ‘Over the course of touring the last Vampire Weekend record I probably had around 75 DJ gigs. In playing out tracks, I realised there were certain sounds or styles that I wanted to pursue on my own.’

So, how did it all begin for his solo project, simply dubbed, Baio? ‘When I got off the road in early 2011 I immediately immersed myself in recording and production. This EP is my first step into that realm.

‘I’m at a place in life where I can sit in front of my computer for a couple days and make something that satisfies me. That wasn’t the case two years ago, so right now I’m really happy.

‘Like anything it has its positives and negatives. Last year I took on two projects: this EP and a movie that I scored, called ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’. With both I had people I trusted to send raw tracks and musical ideas. The nature of those collaborations was different from the type of collaboration in a band. It was more like what I imagine being a writer and sending your work off to an editor is like.

‘At times I’d get nervous or anxious about sending stuff out, but I realise it’s important for me not to get too complacent as a musician. I want to constantly be trying different things, putting myself in uncomfortable places.’

Baio’s debut solo EP ‘The Sunburn’ is out now via Greco-Roman.

Taken from the June 2012 issue of DIY, available now. For more details click here.