Berlin-based artist Bae Blade is stepping into a new era with the launch of her own label, ‘B.A.E. – Build Around Energy’, a platform built around creative freedom, self-expression and a refusal to compromise. The launch follows a stream of sizzling releases on labels like Partiboi69’s Mutual Pleasure, SPFDJ’s Intrepid Skin, Hot Haus/Unknown to the Unknown, RAW … Plus shows including Terminal V, Into The Woods, Glitch Festival, WECANDANCE, ADE, Teletech, Fuse Brussels, Awakenings Festival, fabric, Tresor Berlin…
With debut single ‘HEY MAMI’ and the ‘INTRODUCING BAEDDIES’ EP setting the tone, Bae Blade opens up about the imprint’s ethos, building an entire visual world around her music, and creating the kind of platform she wishes she’d had when starting out. ‘INTRODUCING BAEDDIES’ ft. 2 original tracks and a Laure Croft remix is out now.
Hey Bae, thanks for speaking with us! Where are we catching you today?
Summer is over, so you’ll catch me in my favorite place: the bathtub x
Congrats on launching your new label! ‘B. A. E. – Build Around Energy’ is a very personal project for you. What’s the story behind the label, and how easily did the name come to you?
Thx! I wanted to create a space for myself and other artists where you don’t have to bend yourself into something you’re not. A place where you can put your music and your ideas out into the world in a way that actually feels authentic to you.
I also love that B.A.E. doesn’t have to mean just one thing. Bold And Edgy, Bad Ass Energy etc. I can keep playing with it and give it a different meaning depending on the release. The one thing that never changes is Bae.
Speaking of names, where did your artist name come from, what is the story there?
I literally had the classic Beyblade arena at home and was cleaning one day when I thought, wouldn’t it be funny to call myself Bae Blade, just spelled differently? I went with it and that was pretty much it. It always gets a good reaction at hotel check-ins, so I guess it was a good choice.
Your first single HEY MAMI on B. A. E. is out now, with the full INTRODUCING BAEDDIES EP dropping September 25th. What made this track feel like the perfect first statement?
It felt very me. It’s unapologetic, it has a strong attitude, and it says a lot without needing to explain itself. It also felt like the right way to introduce the BAEDDIES world: confident, a little cheeky, but still serious about the music.
For me, it’s also about being queer and not feeling the need to tone that down or make it more palatable. I’m not here to play it safe or overthink every move. I wanted the first statement to feel like me: direct, unapologetic and ready to go.
You talk about creating the platform that you wish you’d had yourself when starting out – allowing you freedom to create, own your own music. Do you think this is a universal issue within electronic music, or music in general that all artists struggle with at some point?
Personally, I’ve often felt like there were limits around how much I could explore my own identity and vision. Creating B.A.E. gives me that space. I can connect the music, visuals, artists and overall world without having to compromise the vision just because it doesn’t fit someone else’s idea of what it should be.
I also think we could all think a little bigger when it comes to how we present artists. For me, the music, visuals and identity are all part of the same world, and I want to create space for that. I studied graphic design, so I naturally think very visually, and I don’t want the creative side of an artist to stop at a press photo. There’s so much more potential when you really build a world around the music. I was honestly terrified that I wouldn’t be able to pull this off, but I’m a doer. I figured it out as I went, and now we’re here.
Based in Berlin, you’ve made a name for yourself, rising up from the underground scene to becoming an international name. Aside from the landmark moment of launching B. A. E., what are a couple of other key moments in your journey so far that have felt really pivotal to where you are right now?
I think a lot of the key moments were my first releases, my first international shows, and seeing my music reach people outside of my immediate circle. There wasn’t one single moment where everything suddenly changed. It was really the consistency of putting music out, playing shows and slowly building something that felt like me.
I’m a believer that consistency is key. Which is funny, because every time I hear that phrase I immediately think of the “never back down, never give up” meme. So I guess I’ve accidentally been taking that very seriously for years.
As you wrap up a hectic summer of touring, what else is in store for you this Fall that you’re especially looking forward to?
I have my next EP coming up on SPFDJ’s label, which I’m really excited about. It feels like a strong way to close out the year, ending it with a bang and then going straight into everything I’m building with B.A.E.
There’s a lot more music and a lot more BAEDDIES coming, so I’m definitely not slowing down anytime soon.
Bae Blade ‘INTRODUCING BAEDDIES’ EP ft. Laure Croft is out now. Get it HERE.
Connect with Bae Blade on Spotify | Instagram | Soundcloud | Bandcamp
Connect with B.A.E on Instagram | Bandcamp
