Peter Baldwin

By Peter Baldwin
PUBLISHED: JUNE 2, 2011

"Busted volume knob in the CRV and a busted monitor on the Mac. My life is technologically impaired and pressed down with slave work. I am a grateful recipient of musi-conjugal visits and mind-blowing eargasms. Danger Mouse, you are my angel, my personal pioneer of warmth and rock & roll. I find rest in **Rome**. Thank you, St. Vincent, for making me feel cool for being in high school chorus and Jakob Dylan for that cool ass album cover. Lastly, Theophilus London and Cultura Profetica, never change. Now someone please fix my car stereo!."

(Singer-songwriter Peter Baldwin celebrates the release of his new album,Peter Baldwin in Vodville, with a special release party and in-store performance at Park Ave. CDs 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4. Admission is free. - Orlando Weekly

Rapidly rising recording artist and producer, Peter Baldwin, recently released his EP, “Peter Baldwin in Vodville”, on July 26th. The Alaskan native has made quite an impression in the music world opening for the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Theophilus London, K’naan, and Aloe Blacc, among others. Classifying himself as “alternative soul”, the young artist gave us a brief 1-on-1. Fans, take a look.

Tas Tobey: Growing up in Anchorage, what time of exposure did you have to (any) the music scene? Were you at all limited in what was available?

Peter Baldwin: I dabbled a bit in Alaska’s fine music scene as a drummer in a Mae-influenced garage band; I resigned after a few months. All of my experience with local music there was brief in that way, but I got that little taste of goodness. And, even though Alaska is far away from other cultures, it’s beautiful on its own.

TT: Do you have like ONE song that when you first heard it you felt like you had found your calling?

PB: If I must choose one song, it’s Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Starting
Something”. I still stop whatever I’m doing when I hear it, and I always hear
Something new.

TT: What was the transition like from home in Alaska to college in Florida?

PB: Home was familiarity and a long list of good friends and family. In Orlando, I was seriously the only person or thing I knew anything about, and I lived alone. So a lot of my time was spent inside my head, and I lost my cool a few times. What I gained though, was my first good songwriting material.

TT: New York eats people alive, [laughs] you excited about your new home? What are your goals and expectations?

PB: You know, someone just asked me if I was excited about this move, and I couldn’t muster up the feeling. I look forward to the next thing because it’s the next thing. Everything so far, whether or not any planning was involved, is a goal achieved. So really I’m thinking about New York, then London, then mid-life crisis.

TT: This “alternative soul” genre that you have classified yourself in…paint us a picture of what that really means.

PB: It’s possibly just my pride. I started out dreading the thought of being classified as anything, especially r&b. I’ve been told that I’m John Legend and a black Jason Mraz. It’s not a diss, but it doesn’t seem right. Alternative Soul is my style of fusing existing genres; it’s my description of myself. Maybe as I grow, the style will be more defined.

For more information on Baldwin, click here - Antennamagazine.com

(Listen) Host Cyrus Webb welcomes recording aritist Peter Baldwin to Conversations LIVE to discuss his love of music, current projects and how you can stay in touch with him. - Blog Talk Radio, Conversations Live 92.3FM

Peter Baldwin is an alternative soul artist from Winter Park, Florida. Since releasing his Album, I Was Here (2008), he has showcased his work in big cities like Los Angeles and New York. He is a man who aims to push the boundaries of popular soul music

Peter will be releasing his EP Peter Baldwin in Vodville on July 26.

We had the honour to ask Peter Baldwin some random questions for the June monthly questions, and here is what he had to say.



What is your first memory?

My oldest sister, Natasha, took me to the playground one summer day to ride bikes. Maybe I was 6 years old. She was all like, "Don't turn too sharp! The gravel is loose, and you'll fall!" So I turned too sharply on the loose gravel and ate it, all of it. Tash carried me more than a mile home that day because she is a G. Now she's getting married to some guy. He better be a G too...

What are your 5 favorite foods?

Sushi, kalamata olives, prosciutto sandwiches, Reese's pb (peter baldwin) cups, and ribeye steak with mashed garlic potatoes, NO GRAVY. I encourage everyone to try reese's pb cups on a slice of pizza.



What would you prefer: Xbox, Wii or PS3?


Uh, seriously? How about playing outside? Grass and air and stuff.



What is your shoe size?

12 or 13 depending on the shoe. My age and my shoe size matched from 5th to 7th grade.



Who would be your 3 lucky dinner guests?

I would invite King Solomon because he authored Ecclesiastes; top that. I'd also invite Danger Mouse. I figure free dinner might be a fair trade for some light production work. Lastly, I'd have Penelope Cruz just to remind the rest of us how pointless it is to talk about ourselves.



What are you looking forward to this summer?

My first summer in Brooklyn! Pretty girls everywhere, late nights, and any food at any time. Somebody teach me how to bust open a fire hydrant. Oh, I'm also turning 23 this summer. It's my Jordan year. - Starsentertainment.com

Sexy crooner Peter Baldwin just released his first proper EP ‘Peter Baldwin in Vodville’ a luscious mix of pop, jazz, folk and rock all together flavored ‘alternative soul’. The Alaskan born and raised guitarist with the smooth vocals, who also happens to play some sax and drums just because he can, recently moved to NYC from Florida and looks to shine a light on his electrifying live show.

Baldwin who grew up in Church with a mother who was a choir director told me he just learned that his grandmother on his mom’s side was offered to tour with gospel queen Mahalia Jackson, so his musical background goes back a pretty long way. So far he has already opened for mega-talent Joss Stone, legendary Earth, Wind & Fire and hip-hop artist Theophilus London. He also does a noble rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since You’ve Been Gone.’ Keep your ears open for Peter Baldwin. - newyorkgossipgal.com

Music holds a special place in all our lives, whether it be a favorite song, artist or maybe you’re like me and it’s only when you hear a particular piece of music that it triggers a memory dear to you. Whatever the case may be, we can all agree that music has had a profound influence in our lives. For alternative soul artist, Peter Baldwin, music has been such a major influence in life that he decided to become a musician. He didn’t stop there, he created his own genre of music in order to pay tribute to all the styles that have influenced him throughout the years. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter to discuss his particular brand of music, his EP and those very same influences that inspired him towards a life of music.

This young Alaskan native is no new comer to the music scene. Growing up in Anchorage where alot of the music scene was mainly rock, indie and folk, a younger Baldwin’s family was involved in the church, as his father was a pastor, it was there that he would draw inspiration from gospel music to spark his love affair with music. Still he didn't take it serious until he moved to Orlando Florida to attend Full Sail University to study the recording arts. “My Senior of high school, I was into making music but it wasn't until I moved to Orlando for school that I really started getting into it. I found myself cutting class to record and practice, which I don’t recommend,” says Baldwin as he reminiscences. He recalls the days he’d spent in college practicing and writing music with friends for the fun of it with no thoughts about pursuing a career in music. “At the time, I just loved to write and perform. I still do and I’m lucky to be in a position that allows me to be creative.”

Baldwin’s musical style is so unique that he had to invent his own genre of music, which he calls Alternative Soul. “Alternative Soul takes a lot of elements from different styles like Soul, Gospel, indie Rock, Folk, Jazz , Hip-Hop and some Pop overtones. It’s a fusion of all these things,” explains Baldwin. When asked if his style of music could be compared to any current artists, Baldwin jokingly replies, “I’ve been told I sound like John Legend, which is a compliment but I don’t really see it.” Baldwin makes it a point not to try to label himself under any particular genre since he finds inspiration from all types. The term for the genre "Alternative Soul" was so that Baldwin could experiment with the type of music he likes and not be forced to stick to a certain style of music.

Baldwin released his Vodville EP under his label, Rock Ya Girl Records in late July. When asked if doing an EP instead of an album was a conscious decision he said, “This is my first studio release and I wanted to do an EP for now to give the public a chance to get to know me and my music. I plan on doing a full album in the future to expand more with my music, but right now this is my introduction.” Baldwin recommends that the readers and his fans check out YouTube for Baldwin’s video for his single “Suicide Girl”. He also clarified that Rock Ya Girl Records isn’t just another label. “We’re all about helping aspiring artists grow. Right now we’re just getting started but hopefully in the future we’ll be able to sign new artists.”

Vodville EP may be Baldwin’s first studio album but he’s opened for such acts as Joss Stone, Mayer Hawthrone and Earth, Wind and Fire. “It's different every time but every artists I’ve worked with so far has been a pleasure to work with." Baldwin recalls the time, he got to meet Joss Stone who was a fan of his music. "I was surprised that she had actually heard my music and knew who i was, that was kind of a big shock to me."

Touring with such big name acts hasn't increased Baldwin's ego, he still manages to stay true to his roots and fans. "I'm always looking to improve myself, everyone should but the feedback from critics and fans has been more than supportive. I'm not looking to become a career orientated artist but to play towards my fans even if its in smaller venues." Baldwin also hopes to someday make music for movies for people to enjoy.

Peter Baldwin sounds off with some words of advice to the readers and fans: “Keep going at something you know you’re good at. I’ve been able to find a talent that works for me and I hope others can do the same. Try not to get trapped under what others may expect from you and rise above it.” For the readers and fans who are interested, they can buy Peter Baldwin’s Vodville EP on Amazon and Itunes.

For updates and more be sure to visit www.peterbaldwinrocks.com, follow him on twitter www.twitter.com/peterbaldwin, Facebook www.facebook.com/peterbaldwinrocks and YouTube www.youtube.com/peterbaldwinmusic. - Parlemagazine.com

Site is being updated... - Checkmatenewyork.com

Today Peter Baldwin tells us about "Rob The Bank" from his brand new EP "Peter Baldwin in Vodville," which was released this week. Here is the story:
"Rob The Bank" is the only song on my EP that's fictional so creating it was nothing like working out the more truthful songs. The idea for the song came together all in one night while I was sitting in my room. I wanted to come up with a beat that would make people move differently, and I decided to tell the story of a boy with a dead end job and a wistful girlfriend. He decides they have a future as infamous bank robbers!

While recording the vocals for the track, several kids randomly showed up and the atmosphere in the studio turned into a party. I usually prefer to be on my own in a more quiet atmosphere, but being in front of a crowd gave me confidence and cool vibrations. All those cameo appearances inspired me to approach the background vocals as if my friends were in the booth with me. In some sections, there are about a dozen vocals all with different characteristics and vibrato.

The best thing about recording "Rob The Bank" was everyone's contribution on the production end. I and my mates, Vodville, went above and beyond with every sound. We layered all the instruments including the bass. We spent hours choosing the right tones, and I spent extra hours making sure everything was in the right place. The end result is something simple and fun and a perfect addition to the EP.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself right here! - AntiMusic.com

(SBI) Rock Ya Girl Records announces the release of "Peter Baldwin In Vodville" July 26th 2011. Baldwin's music is a unique cook-up of soul induced-indie rock with folk, jazz and pop overtones, a sound he calls "alternative soul."
With the release of this proper debut EP, Baldwin not only introduces himself as a promising artist, but as a visionary and equally adept producer who aims to push the boundaries of popular soul music.

In his short career, the 22 year-old Baldwin regularly sells out his own headline club dates and has also opened for legendary acts such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Joss Stone, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Mayer Hawthorne, Theophilus London, K'naan and Aloe Blacc.

Creative Loafing says; "The first time I saw Peter Baldwin perform, I was mesmerized. I can guarantee that [success is] gonna happen. It's only a matter of time... Peter Baldwin's got soul."
- AntiMusic.com

Orlando musician Peter Baldwin discusses his upbringing, style and future plans on the eve of his meeting with Universal.

The first time I saw Peter Baldwin perform, I was mesmerized. The Orlando neo-soul artist played a short tweener set at Broken Mold's Christmas Party in December and held me (and most of those around me) rapt with merely an electric guitar and his silky-smooth, sexy falsetto, hitting notes so high I could almost see them soaring through the rafters into the starry sky above. After listening to two original numbers, a raw but gripping rendition of MGMT's popular disco funk number, "Electric Feels," and some adept scat singing and vocal acrobatics, I was hooked.

I got the chance to chat with Baldwin over coffee and cheese toast at Tre Amici last week. On this particular sunny afternoon, he wears dark sunglasses in place of his usual black spectacles. He is a gracious young artist, earnest but sweet-tempered, armed with an endearing smile and easy laugh that balances his more quiet moments.

We discuss his upbringing. Baldwin was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, the youngest of four children (he has three older sisters, though he only grew up with two). His father was both a banker and the founder and pastor of a small area church; his mother retired from the Air Force mother and served as the church's worship leader and choir director. "That's how I kind of got started, singing in the choir," he explains. He also learned to play drums and sax.

Unfortunately, his parents didn't have varied taste in music. "In my house, all I really heard was gospel music the whole the time ... and that's pretty much all I knew until high school." That's when he discovered Miles Davis and the Jackson 5, and found inspiration in the drumming of Steve Jordan on John Mayer Trio's 2005 live album, Try!. "He hanged my perspective on how to play that instrument. It affected my playing a lot."

Baldwin says he didn't really want to go to college despite being accepted to Loyola University in Chicago. His guidance counselor suggested Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The private, well-regarded school specialized in entertainment and media-related fields, and appealed to Baldwin for a few reasons. "I think it was really, really attractive to be really far away. I didn't want to be an engineer at any point (that's what I went to school for), but I kind of wanted to do something musical, and I didn't feel technically knowledgeable enough to go to a music school. So I came here."

Baldwin took classes in audio engineering, learned his way around the studio and made long-lasting friendships and connections along the way. He also picked up guitar and taught himself to play, though he's now taking lessons to build upon his composition skills and break some bad habits. "I can't play with a pick, at all. I can't do it and I don't really like how it sounds. My posture is kind of off. I do weird things with my left hand to get to notes -- I don't finger things correctly, so it makes me slower. And slow is not good."

He performed in public for the first time ever in 2007 at Natura Coffee and Tea's open mic. "I was not relaxed, not at all. Natura gets really crowded, and especially back then, I had a really timid personality, and there were all these kids I definitely thought were a lot cooler than I was. It was nervewracking, it made me feel crazy, but I still perform there pretty often, just because that's where I learned to do it and I like to be in that atmosphere, still."

He graduated from Full Sail's audio program in 2008 and says he definitely took some real-world experience with him. "It really helps when I go into the studio to know, technically, what's going on. It helps the process a lot, as far as communicating with whoever's running the board. It helps me creatively, too, to know how to get the sound that I want."

Baldwin tends to write songs about women, love, sex, heartache. Much of his earlier lyricism explores a crumbling relationship, like "Suicide Girl," which he recorded when he fronted R&B-funk-jazz fusion fourpiece Bop Gun from 2008 to '09. It's not an ode to the tattooed beauties of suicidegirls.com, but a song directed at a former lover who'd changed so much as to become unrecognizable: "You look like a suicide girl / You've got the potential to hurt yourself / I know you could conquer the world / And I wish that I could help with that / But baby, your problems got a whole lot bigger / You've got the potential to weigh me down / I wish I could help you out / but our door is closing and I gotta get out."

His 2008 live acoustic recording, I Was Here, still carries a sense of lyrical despondency. "And it's hard to make it through to tomorrow, when you're thinking 'bout yesterday ..." he sings on the refrain of "Green Light Special," a post break-up ode. But he also pens straightforward, sorrow-free love songs and waxes witty and poetic about what would happen "If Music Was a Woman."

He admits he's raising the happy factor in his newer music and his songs reflect his present positive outlook about his life, his music, his future. As far as time in the studio goes, "We're working on a three-song EP and trying to get it out as soon as possible."

He's also been practicing with a full band that'll join him for his set at New World. The band includes longtime friend and bass-playing musical cohort, Geo, also a former member of Bop Gun; John Paul Ramos on keys and aux (trombone, guitar, backing vocals); guitarist Willie Colon, a studio musician for Universal; and drummer Ranson Vorpahl, also the beat keeper for Orlando's Mirror Pal. The setlist will encompass soul-fused folk, rock, funk and jazz-flavored originals spanning Baldwin's three-year musical career as well as his popular rendition of "Electric Feels" and a newer cover, The Penguins' "Earth Angel." Baldwin's trademark solo performances on vox and electric guitar will be studded throughout.

The day after our meeting, Baldwin was due to fly to NYC for his second meeting with SRC/Universal Motown, the label run by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind that's responsible for breaking artists like Senegalese singer Akon and most recently, Canadian R&B singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona. Whether or not he lands a major label record deal with Universal remains to be seen, but I can guarantee that if it doesn't happen there, it's gonna happen somewhere else. It's only a matter of time. - Creative Loafing, CreativeLoafing.com

The funk will be laid down even thicker when headliner Peter Baldwin hits the stage. Hailing from Orlando, Fla., Baldwin will make his Rock The Park debut fresh off of two nights opening for soul revivalists sharon jones & the dap kings. And while he may have also warmed up crowds for acts like joss stone and mayer hawthorne, Baldwin’s intoxicating mixture of soul, funk, and rock is potent whether he performs with just an acoustic guitar in hand (find his cover of MGMT’s “Electric Feel” and see for yourself) or backed by a full band. - Around Town Live

Peter Baldwin CD release Party w/Dynasty/D'visitors/Florida Night Heat Because good things never last forever (especially when it comes to the Florida music scene), alt soul rocker Peter Baldwin is bidding Orlando and the greater Tampa Bay area a fond fare-thee-well as he heads to greener musical pastures in NYC. He does so with his usual class – a CD release show and freshly-pressed album, 2011's Peter Baldwin in Vodville, to show for it. The slow but fiery "Femcee" Dynasty opens with backing by funk-world outfit d'Visitors and prog-post-power rock trio Florida Night Heat. O-town’s electro-rock trip-pop three-piece The Pauses have also been added to the bill. (Crowbar, Ybor City) --LP - Creative Loafing

Peter Baldwin captures crowds with just a guitar and voice, and not in a cringe-inducing, look-at-me-I'm-the-next-John Mayer way. He sings with an intimate, raw style revealed through hushed tones, naked vulnerability and an intense, delicate vibrato.

Live, he stops crowds in their tracks.

Before you think he's too sappy, he surprises you with his cover of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and originals that warm listeners of all ages.

Baldwin returns to Crowbar in Tampa New Year's Eve (with Greymarket and other artists, $5) and takes some time from his holiday plans to answer some questions for tbt*.

Just recently: "It's been a crazy couple of years. Since finishing Full Sail (University) two years ago, I've recorded and released a live album called I Was Here, helped Laiza Rodriguez start up her project, Vasti, started and ended a jazz-rock fusion band called Bop Gun, and collaborated on a few projects with friends. Tru, my manager (James "Tru" Truitt), and I also started our own artist label, which we named Rock Ya Girl. And, of course, about a billion shows. About."

His upbringing: "I was born and raised in Anchorage (Alaska). … I did spend about a year and a half in Pensacola when I was younger. My mother was a choir director in church, and my two older sisters sound like angels. My little sister is getting pretty good, too. Pop dances pretty smooth, but don't ask him to sing. My family definitely encouraged my love for music, but I wouldn't say that they influenced my style so much."

His viewpoint on the latest news: "Oh, God, the news about Brittany (Murphy) really hurts, and really it's the news about all the tragedy pop culture has suffered this year. (He expresses these feelings in his blog, peterbaldwinrocks.com.)

"When you first start writing your songs, you look at pop culture like it's The Man, and nothing could be further from the truth. People that really stand out, the Princes and the Heath Ledgers and the Bettie Pages, are angels. They're the spirits of their time. I honestly do want to be a part of that culture because it's this unique collection of contributions people make to their current societies. It's taking on the responsibility of saying what your generation wants to say and feeling what your generation feels. Gaga's really good at it, and I want to be good at it, too. Otherwise, I'd be wasting feelings."

Is he serious? "Truth is, I take everything very seriously, especially emotions. Humor is just my way of avoiding that, I suppose. And it keeps me interested in what I'm saying to use wit. Keeps everyone interested, and alive, and leaving the show with good feelings. I just want my music to make fat, happy babies."

If Music Was a Woman: “It's an angry song that says, 'You wouldn't have my heart to break if I had music to hold.' … I originally wrote and recorded it to a beat that a friend, Antonio Ervin, made for me."

Favorite song: “If There's Love by Citizen Cope. Was that this year? (No, 2002.) I can never keep track of time. I'll be dating things 2009 'til next March probably."

Album of the decade: "So much pressure. I'd have to say Damito Jo by Janet Jackson."

Wish for next decade: "Kids." - St. Petersburg Times

Baldwin spellbound the audience and drew people in when he performed his too-brief set. His effectively contradicting charisma meets self-effacing sensitivity made him highly watchable and his vocal delivery sent home every word wrapped in zingers of emotion and "Yeah, I feel that too" validation. He sang a few tunes solo with his guitar and a full band assisted him on a slowed-down cover of Electric Feel by MGMT. His performances of Music Was a Woman and the ’50s classic Earth Angel showed off his special knack for no-nonsense tenderness. - Tampa Bay Times, Tampabay.com

Peter Baldwin captures crowds with just a guitar and voice, and not in a cringe-inducing, look-at-me-I'm-the-next-John Mayer way. He sings with an intimate, raw style revealed through hushed tones, naked vulnerability and an intense, delicate vibrato.

Live, he stops crowds in their tracks.

Before you think he's too sappy, he surprises you with his cover of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and originals that warm listeners of all ages.

Baldwin returns to Crowbar in Tampa New Year's Eve (with Greymarket and other artists, $5) and takes some time from his holiday plans to answer some questions for tbt*.

Just recently: "It's been a crazy couple of years. Since finishing Full Sail (University) two years ago, I've recorded and released a live album called I Was Here, helped Laiza Rodriguez start up her project, Vasti, started and ended a jazz-rock fusion band called Bop Gun, and collaborated on a few projects with friends. Tru, my manager (James "Tru" Truitt), and I also started our own artist label, which we named Rock Ya Girl. And, of course, about a billion shows. About."

His upbringing: "I was born and raised in Anchorage (Alaska). … I did spend about a year and a half in Pensacola when I was younger. My mother was a choir director in church, and my two older sisters sound like angels. My little sister is getting pretty good, too. Pop dances pretty smooth, but don't ask him to sing. My family definitely encouraged my love for music, but I wouldn't say that they influenced my style so much."

His viewpoint on the latest news: "Oh, God, the news about Brittany (Murphy) really hurts, and really it's the news about all the tragedy pop culture has suffered this year. (He expresses these feelings in his blog, peterbaldwinrocks.com.)

"When you first start writing your songs, you look at pop culture like it's The Man, and nothing could be further from the truth. People that really stand out, the Princes and the Heath Ledgers and the Bettie Pages, are angels. They're the spirits of their time. I honestly do want to be a part of that culture because it's this unique collection of contributions people make to their current societies. It's taking on the responsibility of saying what your generation wants to say and feeling what your generation feels. Gaga's really good at it, and I want to be good at it, too. Otherwise, I'd be wasting feelings."

Is he serious? "Truth is, I take everything very seriously, especially emotions. Humor is just my way of avoiding that, I suppose. And it keeps me interested in what I'm saying to use wit. Keeps everyone interested, and alive, and leaving the show with good feelings. I just want my music to make fat, happy babies."

If Music Was a Woman: “It's an angry song that says, 'You wouldn't have my heart to break if I had music to hold.' … I originally wrote and recorded it to a beat that a friend, Antonio Ervin, made for me."

Favorite song: “If There's Love by Citizen Cope. Was that this year? (No, 2002.) I can never keep track of time. I'll be dating things 2009 'til next March probably."

Album of the decade: "So much pressure. I'd have to say Damito Jo by Janet Jackson."

Wish for next decade: "Kids." - Tampa Bay Times, Tampabay.com

Who: Peter Baldwin

What: An extremely talented singer-songwriter from Alaska. His music has some R&B undertones that keep the listener hooked through the entire song.

On the Web: peterbaldwinrocks.com

Standout Single: “Claustrophobic”

Sounds Like: Ben Harper
- Hear/Say: America's College Music Magazine

This week's featured artist was one of my favorite performers at this year's Florida Music Festival. He made the most of a small crowd at the Social and blew me away with his mellow maturity and engaging vocal melodies. With just him and a guitar, it was hard to believe he made such a huge impression on me; especially considering the amount of performances I witnessed that weekend.

While his impression on me lingered, his popularity level around the local scene heightened. Now just by saying his name, some of you may be aware of Peter Baldwin. If not, you're missing out. If so, I know I don't need to say much more about his talents.

To me, Peter Baldwin falls somewhere between Nick Drake and the tamed-down version of TV on the Radio. The tune "Day That He Die" is a perfect representation of that comparison. The track "Claustrophobic" is the one I remember the most from seeing him live at FMF. You can check out each of these and a few of his other songs on his MySpace page.

Like many other amazing artists, Peter Baldwin will be showcasing his talents at this year's Rock for Hunger Festival on November 15th at the Plaza Theatre. Be sure to pick up your tickets asap. The show is right around the corner.

See you there! - RockStarBusinessSeries.com

"He's so amazing," said Kaleigh Baker before last night's Phat N Jazzy at the Social. I took her word for it since she's, well, amazing. "And he's only 19!"

The buzz behind Peter Baldwin's show last night was unusually high. Palpable, almost. When the 20-year-old (according to his MySpace) Orlando artist by way of Alaska (I know, I know) took to the stage with bassist George Ponce, drummer Thirst, keyboardist Jason Jones and J. Schmed (?) on guitar, however, I realized something.

I know this guy. In fact, he was my anonymous FMF stranger. Here's what I said about Baldwin in my FMF wrapup on May 19:

--There was a good R&B singer filling in for Amber Rubarth at City Arts, but he didn't have CDs or a card to hand out, so if that's you, contact me at jstrout@orlandoweekly.com. I'd like to give you proper propers here.

Well, nobody reads this shit, so he never did but it turns out that in the meantime he's started an indie label with partner James Truitt, r.e.d. Label, and – oh yeah – developed into a full-fledged star in the making. His performance last night was a wonder of youthful exuberance, sheepish goodwill and, at times, transcendent beauty.

For instance, after a warmup singalong (an acoustic version of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song), Baldwin kicked into "Angle Me," an original for which he dueted with local newcomer Laiza Rodriguez (who is mos def next up for some Local Tracks action once she, you know, posts some songs). The two of them harmonized devastatingly, a completion effect that called to my mind Damien Rice paired with Lisa Hannigan, or Antony Hegarty's work with Björk.

He did funk it up quite a bit, but I believe his strength lies in the quiet moments, the Baldwin I saw at FMF only more confident. In that spirit, I'm posting his Laiza-less but still knockout version of "Angle Me." And check out Mr. Baldwin Oct. 11 at the Peacock Room.

- Orlando Weekly

During the work week I feel myself getting more and more stressed out over all of little things that pile up. But, I have found the one word cure for the common work week slum. Soul. Not only is soul music great with a fresh cup of coffee, it seems to take the stresses of my work week and just throw them out the window.

There is one Orlando soul artist that keeps up with and expands on the Soul genre, Peter Baldwin. Peter has played shows everywhere from The Social to local coffeehouses. Personally I believe that the coffee house performances are where Peter connects with his audience on a level that makes his music that much more personal.

I find myself trying to compare him to folk/soul artist Ben Harper. After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that this would not do Peter justice. Although lyrically Peter shares some likenesses with his fellow soul cohort, Peter's lyrics reach out and grab hold of everyone that happens to be within earshot. His comforting guitar melodies paired with the hurt and happiness that can be felt in his voice make him truly one of Orlando's must hear artists.
- Examiner.com

At the Florida Music Festival in May, the CityArts Factory was prepped for a night with the ladies. Emma Wallace warmed up the intimate, coffee-sipping crowd, and Christina Wagner waited in the wings. But in place of the advertised midbill set from New York’s Amber Rubarth, who canceled at the last minute, was a tall, fresh-faced man with an acoustic guitar strumming a gentle love letter to weed. Peter Baldwin, a soft-spoken college kid just entering his 20s, treated the word “hydro” with the same delicate care as Smokey Robinson wrapping his pain around the term “substitute” in “Tracks of My Tears”; his perplexed audience couldn’t be more confused. By the end of his brief session, however, the room not only laughed along with him, but they followed his emotional twists.

It would be another five months before Baldwin popped up on Orlando’s music radar again, this time with a full band at a packed headline show at the Social. In order to get some play at FMF months prior, Baldwin and his manager, James “Tru” Truitt, handed out FMF fliers in 100-degree heat at Earthday Birthday, which earned them $50 and FMF passes.

“I wasn’t even on the bill, but Tru found empty spots where people had bailed out and got me in. There’s no record of me playing [the festival],” Baldwin says. With a sheepish smile that’s true to the humble person behind it, he explains that he had only been in Orlando for a year and a half at the time, and he was merely a month removed from his first “real” show at a coffee shop. The son of an Alaska preacher, Baldwin graduated from Full Sail University’s audio program in March and Tru, whom he met at the school, had big plans for him.

“He approached me about doing some management and gave me the whole rundown of R.E.D. label [Truitt’s company, of which Baldwin is both a client and A&R rep],” Baldwin says. “I was pretty flattered so I was like, ‘Yeah, why not?’ By April he packed out Tanqueray’s for me.”

By late September, Baldwin and his four-piece band were finely tuned soul machines. In his breakout performance, Baldwin strutted with a salacious swagger that was equal parts Jagger and Justin Timberlake (who, he admits, is a heavy influence).

“The growth from [FMF] until now was crazy,” says Baldwin. “Every performance has just been getting better and better. I don’t know why, but there’s always just been followers out of nowhere. I think it’s because Tru and I were promoting so hard. [The Social gig] was a pretty monumental show to me. It was one where I realized we could actually fit.”

He charmed with a sincerely rootsy cover of the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme song. He dipped into R&B with original tracks like “If Music Was a Woman,” a half-rapped falsetto-funk groove. Baldwin’s at his strongest, however, with heartbreaking ballads like his own “Angle Me,” a melancholy, nearly spiritual celebration (and slight condemnation) of sex.

“Really what I’m talking about is the audacity of placing one person on such a high pedestal in your life that it supersedes everything in your life, even God,” says Baldwin. “I like to just say, bluntly, the motive I think goes behind an action. ‘Angle Me’ is [about] putting yourself in a position of submission. It’s a precious thing, but it can be so powerful. I’m not a preacher like my dad, but I just wanted to say, ‘This is what happens.’”

A few weeks after his big show, Baldwin received a call to open for U.K. soul-popster Joss Stone, something he was honored to do, but he has more ambitious plans. In addition to a solo acoustic CD he’s releasing in December, Baldwin is splitting his two halves – acoustic and band – into separate entities.

“I just wanted to pursue my sound, but I have all these good friends of mine that I love to play with,” says Baldwin. “We haven’t named [the band] yet, but it’ll be a lot of fun for me. I want [the solo work] to be super, super-soulful, but in a new sort of way that I have to really define. I don’t want to be limited to anything.” - Orlando Weekly

Rising alternative soul artist Peter Baldwin is someone to look out for!

His EP Peter Baldwin in Vodville is being released today and features the sounds of folk, jazz, rock, pop and soul all combined to form some dope music!

ITUNES: PETER BALDWIN'S Peter Baldwin in Vodville

Throughout the compilation you can be sure to get a taste for Peter's unique perspective on music, not only through his vocal ability, but also through the depth of his production.

He may be playing the part of the rookie right now, but in such little time Peter Baldwin has accomplished great feats.

In addition to everything already mentioned, this also includes opening for legendary musicians such as Earth, Wind, & Fire and Joss Stone, among other great artists.

Be sure to check out his music by going to his itunes page below! - Russell Simmons's GlobalGrind.com

Peter Baldwin is a 20 year old Indie Soul Star from the frigid domain of Alaska. He has made his way to Orlando, Florida to follow his dreams and persue a career in making music. With songs such as "Real Love" Featuring Kaleigh Baker and "Green Light Special", Peter has moved into the hearts of many women for sure! With a unique acoustic sound, Peter currently sings lead for a band entitled Bopgun. From the looks of things, Mr. Baldwin and his band is creating a fuss in clubs surrounding Orlando! Peter has also had the opportunity of working with RedAnkH's favorite DJ, -DJ NasTay himself and the entire Kind of a Big Deal Camp! Mr. Baldwin performs at clubs and open mic sessions. Peter without a doubt has the talent to build a world-wide fan base. His music is smooth, eclectic, and relateable. Someone SIGN THIS MAN PLEASE! RedAnkH Magazine said that- STAMP IT! - Ashlee' Laughlin

. @robomaida Did you listen to the link? He's this musician I saw open for K'Naan a month or so ago and is opening for Mayer Hawthorne soon.

. Orlando music scene is dead just about...except for Peter Baldwin: http://bit.ly/3d8PxM #musicmonday

. @bigjohnsonc who's Peter Baldwin? - Rock Ya Girl