Robert Baxter, Photograph: Carlin John Stephenson
The title of Robert Baxter’s debut EP, you wouldn’t expect cupid to cry, is a reference to the artist’s ballroom persona. The Melbourne/Naarm-based alt-pop performer says they adopted the name Cupid as a way of “leading with love.”
Love and loss are the central themes on you wouldn’t expect cupid to cry, released independently earlier this month. The EP includes Baxter’s 2023 singles “blue” and “tokyo,” as well as the recent dramatic pop ballad “supernova” and the UK garage-influenced “kiss.”
Check Check spoke to Robert Baxter about the themes on the EP, their rural upbringing, creative growth, and being inspired by SZA.
You grew up in Shepparton. What sort of influence did growing up in the country have on your creativity?
Robert Baxter: I guess living in the city now, I have a lot more creatives around me to be inspired by and collaborate with. So, maybe I was forced to be a jack of all trades in the beginning, trying to write, record, produce, choreograph, edit videos, create content, etc., and I’m glad I learned those skills.
When I got into my teens, I realised I stood out in both good and bad ways no matter what I did, which gave me the freedom to start doing whatever I want. You know all main characters have to go through hard times – I like to call it character building – and a lot of my creativity comes from my experiences.
You’ve been releasing singles for a few years. Do you feel like your artistry has grown during that time?
Since I was 16, my artistry has completely changed yet also stayed very the same. My heart is in the same place. I still have the same goals – I still start writing music in the same way to get out my emotions – but all of my techniques have improved. I want to put in ten thousand hours.
Do you now have a clearer idea of the Robert Baxter sound? Or is every song a bit of an experiment?
I think there is a through-line between my tracks because melodies, lyrical style and vocal delivery stay similar in a way. But production-wise, I like to change things up really often, keep it fresh and exciting. Since I’ve been doing a lot of gigs in the past year, I have started to lean more into thinking about what will be fun to perform live.
Songs like “Supernova” are heartfelt and emotional. Who are some songwriters who’ve inspired you to open yourself up in your songs?
I really appreciate the raw and vulnerable songwriting of SZA and Ryan Beatty – the way they are so authentic but have such original metaphors and expressions to explain it. That is great songwriting to me. I have always naturally opened up, but those artists plus many others inspire me to explore new paths and forms of expression.
The video for “supernova” is a sci-fi trip set in a dystopian future where humans can no longer feel strong emotions. You play an android called Cupid. Does making music videos give you similar creative satisfaction to writing and producing?
I honestly loved creating this concept. I wrote a five-page storyline, which we had to cut down to make it fit. I have just as many ideas for creating visuals as I do for music and it also encourages collaboration and connection because I can’t do as much of it myself.
I feel so proud when I watch a music video. It’s so much work paying off and you can see it visually. It works as a package though – I feel even more excitement knowing the visual I’m creating is a good reflection of the music that I’m also proud of.
Can you tell us about the narrative thread that runs through you wouldn’t expect cupid to cry?
The name Cupid, which is also my ballroom name, comes from leading with love, giving love and needing love. That’s why I felt the title you wouldn’t expect cupid to cry was so perfect.
The theme throughout the EP is love and loss in its different forms. It’s screaming in the car over exes, the trips you promise to take, dimly-lit bedrooms, having the same least favourite star sign, a forbidden kiss, falling out with one person and falling for someone else. I’m excited for listeners to be able to follow the storyline through.
Listen to you wouldn’t expect cupid to cry here and follow Robert Baxter here
