Dane Baker’s self-reflective track “Ascension” is positive and affirming, a short but powerful prog rock tune independently made in-the-box at his home studio.
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Stream: “Ascension” – Dane Baker
Opening with a melodically dramatic guitar line, “Ascension” is a song which, from the very beginning, is striking in its musical positivity.
This ties in with its lyrical themes of growth and finding happiness within oneself. It’s a piece which even feels triumphant at times, coming with all the energy and fresh-faced optimism it can muster. At the helm for this song is Dane Baker, a talented British multi-instrumentalist, whose experience as an independent musician is quite a typical story these days. “Ascension” was recorded in Baker’s home studio in Chesterfield, and he is responsible for the guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals on the track. With help from session drummer Jonathan Case, Baker was able to bring this piece together and produce it himself.
Apart from it being incredibly useful to play multiple instruments and be able to produce your own music, for many new or independent artists, this is in fact a necessity. Studio time is expensive, recording contracts are becoming rarer, and the less said about the rising costs of living, the better. Now that recording equipment and software is more readily available, it just makes sense to do it all yourself. And if you have a strong vision for the project, that can mean getting down exactly what you want on tape, but it also raises questions about how sustainable the industry is for those trying to break through.
Action is golden, I won’t look back
Don’t let this moment slip through the cracks
I won’t get tired of breaking my own chains
It can be a mixed bag however, as being your own boss as a musician offers some freedoms that aren’t afforded to others – since I pitched this piece, Baker has been teasing another single, seemingly just as it was completed, and with no need for a huge promotional push. This steady drip of material is more flexible than the old model of a 12-song album bolstered with a handful of single releases. We’ve already seen many Gen Z artists working in this fashion, so in this way, he’s just doing what everyone else is to keep afloat.
“Ascension” has a clean and shiny ’80s aesthetic, with glittering guitars that favour style and simplicity.
It’s definitely a rock song, with a short track length and a commercially friendly rhythm, but “Ascension” also draws a lot from progressive styles – the big soloing, multiple sections, and unorthodox structure make things a bit spicier than you might expect. It’s a strong and affirming song, pairing the bright-blue summer-sky guitar sound with super-motivational lyrics about finding yourself. Baker’s rather succinct couplet “I don’t need divinity to ascend to where I’m meant to be” sums it all up: He’s found himself, without the need for spiritual guidance.
In the light of dawn
It’s a wake-up call
You can do the same
What you waiting for?
Along with his original material, Baker entertains his social media followers with videos of play-alongs of his favourite music – one series that was particularly enjoyable was a set of classic video game themes he paid tribute to – there was some real funky bass lines coming out of the Sega and Nintendo studios in the ’90s! This, of course, is a whole lot of fun, but there’s a constructive reason behind it – regular, quality posts keep musicians like Dane in the spotlight, and make him attractive to any prospective collaborators that may wish to work with him.
The repeated adage in this song is “the journey is the destination,” which resonates a lot while listening to “Ascension,” as the song very much feels like a transition. It’s not some huge anthemic masterpiece, nor is it a hook-laden pop tune – it’s a solid, mid-tempo piece that gives room for reflection on self-discovery. It drifts along and ends with the same energy it started with, a fitting tone and soundscape for the subject matter.
I don’t need divinity, to ascend to where I’m meant to be
I found the grace to stand up for myself
And rose above the noise
The journey is the destination
Artists like Dane Baker are having to find newer and more innovative ways to get themselves out there.
It’s perhaps a bit depressing that musicians need to think about their social media presence and the algorithm if they want to get any success these days, but also when it’s done right, it’s good, enjoyable content. And while the TV theme play-alongs keep the lights on, it’s important to remember that the best content is, and always will be, new original sounds.
“Ascension” is just that – a song which dedicates itself to new chapters, one which aims to shake off the old, flawed ways of living, and move forward into the next era.
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:: stream/purchase Ascension here ::
:: connect with Dane Baker here ::
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Stream: “Ascension” – Dane Baker
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