Bakers Duz’n Unleashes the Funk Odyssey: A 13-Piece Funky Good Time

WRITTEN BY:  MITCHELL JODREY // THE BOOM AT NOON

(Left to right) Ryan “Guy Jay” Pierce, Tim-Jim Baker (Photo: contributed)

Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Tim-Jim Baker embarked on a mission to create something special. Bakers Duz’n emerged, a funk-infused group destined to be Halifax’s next party band.

Reflecting on the band's formation, Tim shares, "I always wanted to release something under my own creative control. So, during the pandemic, I decided to work on a record. I've always been a big fan of funk music." Bakers Duz’n was born — a creative endeavour aimed at capturing the essence of funk across 13 vibrant tracks.

Tim-Jim Baker performing with Bakers Duz’n at The Marquee, October 2022 (Photo: Katie Gordon)

The band’s name derives from a longstanding joke where if Tim had a band under his own name, it would be called Bakers Duz’n, and they’d release 13 songs. "I always thought it was kind of a neat idea," he muses, setting the stage for a record that would become an energetic celebration of funk's diverse styles.

Taking the lead on vocals for the band is Ryan “Guy Jay” Pierce. Tim and Ryan have played together in several bands over the years, but due to the pandemic, hadn’t talked in a while. As fate would have it, Ryan was looking for an HVAC contractor for his wife's business and got in touch with Tim to ask about the one he recently used. Seizing the moment, Tim decided to share his funk project idea with Ryan. In a morning email, he popped the question, asking if Ryan would be up for contributing his vocals to a song. “Maybe a day, two days later, he sent me back some rippin' vocals and basically finished the tune, so I sent him another one and then 13 songs later, he sang the whole thing, and I wouldn't have it any other way now,” Tim says. “He’s one of the best singers I know. He's got great taste, and he's got an ear and talent for that style of music, which is a really tough style for a singer technically and lyrically because funk lyrics have to be fun and exciting, but there’s a fine line between that and cheesiness,” he laughs.

(Left to right) Kristen Morse and Ryan “Guy Jay” Pierce performing with Bakers Duz’n at The Marquee, October 2022 (Photo: Mitchell Jodrey)

The band's ensemble was a deliberate choice by Tim. "I wanted a 13 piece band and so I wrote all this stuff with that in mind,” he reveals. Spending countless hours at his home studio in Shad Bay, he meticulously crafted the instrumentals, often leaning on his multi-instrumental skillset. “I'm a drummer, but I can kind of hack through some other instruments, so I played lots of instruments on there,” he modestly confesses. “The idea was to bring two drummers, percussion, horns, a bunch of backup singers in for the live show, and really make it a spectacle,” Tim says, painting a vivid picture of his vision, reminiscent of funk legends like James Brown and Parliament.

The live band aims to have a rotating cast of performers. “We've got some good friends that are professional musicians and they're always busy,” says Tim. Mike Farrington will be one of the guitar players and Keith Dorion will be on bass. “Mike's one of my best friends, so he’s been playing guitar, and we've actually got his first gigs on guitar with us,” he adds. Mike plays bass in The Mellotones. “Mike can step in for Keith if he can't make it because he knows all the parts,” he further explains.

Bakers Duz’n brings a distinct touch to their live performances with a strong focus on improvisation. "A song that might be four minutes on the record is 15 minutes live,” says Tim. "Every time we play, it's gonna be a little bit different or a lot different," he quips. The live shows promise spontaneity and excitement, with Tim proudly noting, "We've got some hot players in the band, flexing their improvisation. There's a lot of collective experience - you can expect a good, sweaty dance party and good vibes."

The album features an impressive lineup of musicians collaborating on the songs. Members from The Mellotones, including Jeffery Mosher on sax/vocals and Mike Farrington Jr. on bass, brought their musical prowess to the mix. Additionally, talents from The Hopping Penguins, with Peter Baylis on backup vocals and Basil Chaisson on guitar, added their flair. The collaboration extended to friends such as Matt Mays, Adam Baldwin, RC Stanley, Leith Fleming-Smith, Buck Tingley, Roxanne Potvin, and other big names.

Nearing the end of the vocal recordings, Ryan reveals several singers came together to create big moments in certain songs. “It gets intense and primal, and it was super fun to do multi-tracking with multiple voices building up. It's kind of a blur who was there," he says. That collaborative energy extended to the horn arrangements, reminisced Tim. "I wrote all the horn parts on a computer with fake horn sounds and gave them to Liam (Ring), and he charted it all out," he says. The result is a fusion of diverse talents and creative input that defines the album's rich and dynamic sound.

Vol.1 promises a diverse journey through various funk styles. "It's an odyssey, taking people on a journey with a good groove for the dance floor,” says Ryan. “I'm excited to hear what people think."

Looking ahead, Tim sees future volumes exploring uncharted funk territories. "We didn't cover all funk genres in this volume, but this is Vol.1 - for Vol. 2, I think I'd like to have some gogo style funk on there, and a little more disco funk,” he shares. Baker's forward-looking perspective hints at an evolving sound that will keep fans on their toes.

With Vol.1, Bakers Duz'n has reshaped familiar funk styles while still paying homage to the genre's roots, showcasing both their innovative spirit and deep appreciation for funk's timeless legacy. As Tim aptly puts it, "It's a funky good time."

On Saturday, January 13, the band will be hosting their album release show at Oasis in downtown Halifax. It’ll be an early start running from 8 p.m to 10 p.m. The band will be playing all 13 songs from the album front to back, and recording the show (both video and audio).

Additionally, for vinyl enthusiasts, a limited double LP release is planned for the New Year. Stay tuned to Bakers Duz’n social media channels for more details.