Remik Erikson
Remik Erikson’s A Baker’s Dirty Dozen is a bold and deeply personal album that blends humor, poetry, storytelling, and self-discovery. In this interview, he reflects on creativity, independence, and embracing his artistic identity.
1. A Baker’s Dirty Dozen comes from what you’ve described as a personal mission to create an album entirely on your own terms. What was the driving vision behind the project, and what did “doing it your way” truly mean to you?
I’ve been a “poet” and a “writer” and a “comedian” my entire life. Still it wasn’t until now and this album did I attempt to place all of those factions of myself in one direction and allow people to witness it.
“We Bought A House” really released a lot of that focus and energy. While “Nacho” drove me in a more focused direction. And I felt free within a limited purpose and that felt amazing.
2. You said that after releasing “Nacho,” making this album became both a job and a mission, constantly testing yourself. What were some of the biggest creative or personal challenges you had to overcome during the process?
Biggest challenge with the album was “Pie Me Down,” I think over 85 separate pies listed… it’s absurd. But I wanted to make it work, and couldn’t for the longest time. “Deviled Egg” was almost as easy as “Nacho” to write but it was a bit difficult trying to find its voice and sound and fit. That was until I really listened to the song and realized that the tone was and meant to be completely different from the rest. It was a one of a kind boiled egg that I at first tried to force conformity on. I was the problem. Logistically the album as a whole was difficult. In a perfect world I would of had a perfect daily meal plan. Instead I had to finale and fight inspiration and desire. Who wants “Balls O Meat” with their tossed salad for lunch? I assume not many but it was too early in the day for a “Smashburgah” and I wasn’t ready for the easier footlong option yet.
3. The title A Baker’s Dirty Dozen is both intriguing and memorable. What is the story behind the album’s name, and how does it reflect the music and themes listeners will discover throughout the record?
I went through a few names first. Plus, my intention was only on an original dozen. I was EGGausted by nine. Then the beautiful “Deviled Egg” surprised me out of trying to work out Sticky Buns. I decided that a Baker’s Dozen it would be. And also, obviously a little Dirty. The name is deceiving. Some songs were baked, some boiled, some fried, some just mashed together. But they all have their own trail of dirt.
4. This album represents what you describe as something that is “really me.” In what ways do these songs reveal sides of yourself that listeners may not have heard in your previous releases?
If you know me in person then you would be a little surprised but not too much. But as an “artist” I was really trying to be me and every ounce I could string myself together as. I mixed and mashed it up what I would never and, never had before through poetry, song, conversation, screenwriting or any of it before. And even when I wanted to say no to some that “worked.” I in this turn just tried to work more with it. Then again some personality still gets over mixed. Such as with “Toss Your Salad,” attempting to mix it as much as I could toss it and it still feels to me that I let the dressing go a little too much for the pun of it. But, then again it still worked exactly how ME wanted.
5. Creating an album independently often means wearing multiple hats as songwriter, performer, producer, and critic. How did you balance those roles while staying true to your original vision without overthinking the creative process?
Luckily as an aspiring AI artist it was at times “easier.” But then again in all of it maybe not so. Artists do what we do because we are compelled. Moments strike us to try this, try that, do this, listen to that, attempt this. Eitherway it always works itself out over time. And the majority of all artists with love and talent or just love or even just desire and need, must still have it as a hobby. A Baker’s Dirty Dozen would most likely never have been an art form of mine if it wasn’t foe my son and my wife. Those two stars in my life aligned and created this path never fully taken for me to not just circle back to. But to actually step onto for once. Still, again for all arist and hobby lovers. You still work one or more other jobs, still families, still have to find resources and time and all of that is exhausting. Most of which you dont realize when locked in on love and love of the moment and purpose. But none of it ends. You just rest to rest and dive back in.
6. Now that A Baker’s Dirty Dozen is complete and out in the world, what do you hope listeners take away from the journey you’ve crafted, and how has finishing this album changed you as an artist?
I hope they consider it art. I hope they realize that I have gone at all I do as an artist, for me in the moment, but for everyone else outside those moments. I hope that it can be enjoyed and respected on some levels with some people. I learned a lot about myself, my drive, and my focus through this album. All things being able to be blended together in ways I have not fully witnessed before. And personally, that was really nice. And truth of it all I am still that person that can call myself an artist in one moment and in the next if someone else doesn’t feel that way than I am no artist at all. Water and oil don’t mix in the bowl no matter how much you beat it. So, some things will never change, but I feel like this album has turned up the heat on myself calling myself an Artist more or the time.