come-back-to-earth

 “Baxter leans into the jazzy, smoldering groove of Miller’s music… accentuating the optimism percolating below the surface” – Rolling Stone

“It might seem unexpected on paper, but the covers sound pretty great.” –BrooklynVegan

“Baxter draws out the fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and R&B that underlies Miller’s songs… The sounds illuminate Miller’s influence on Baxter’s original songs” –American Songwriter

“[Baxter’s] tribute comes from a place of real respect, and sadness at a promising young talent gone far too soon. Baxter’s folk and Americana background melding with Miller’s work that itself drew from jazz and soul makes perfect sense” – Cover Me

(Toronto, ON – July 16,  2019) – Rayland Baxter is sharing another track from his Mac Miller tribute EP today, a cover of the late hip hop sensation’s much loved “Come Back To Earth”. Looking at Miller’s catalogue, it’s easy to see the influence of this particular song on Baxter’s last record, 2018’s Wide Awake. In Baxter’s hands, the optimism of “Come Back To Earth” shines through, building gently to a sunny, cathartic Motown-esque swell that enhances the powerful sentiments of Miller’s lyrics. Baxter’s previously released covers from the EP of “2009” and “Objects In The Mirror” garnered praise from Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, BrooklynVegan, Relix and more.

On good mmorning, Baxter covers 7 of his favorite Mac Miller tracks – expanding on Mac’s incorporation of jazz, R&B and funk, and adding his own folk and Americana influences. Baxter brought some of his favorite friends and musicians into the studio with him to help record, including keyboardist/guitarist Aaron Embry (Elliott Smith, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros), drummer Eric Slick (Dr. Dog), and his own father, famed pedal steel guitarist Bucky Baxter (Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, R.E.M.).

A portion of proceeds from the EP will be donated to MusiCares’ Mac Miller Legacy Fund, which aims to help young adults struggling with substance abuse. More info on the Mac Miller Legacy Fund is available HERE. The EP is now available for pre-order via ATO Records.

Rayland Baxter covering Mac Miller can seem incongruous at first. The eclectic Nashville singer-songwriter appears to inhabit an entirely different sphere from the hip hop sensation. Baxter first discovered Miller in 2016 at Okeechobee Music Festival, where both artists performed. After his set, Baxter wandered around the festival grounds and he stumbled upon Miller’s set. Baxter was instantly captivated and felt an overwhelming connection to the music.

As time passed, Baxter became more enchanted by Miller; by his lyrics, his musicality and most of all, his approach to and through life. Miller’s uncanny knack for exploring deeply universal human themes, turning the mundane realities of everyday life into profoundly honest observations resonated with Baxter, as it did a global audience also struggling with common issues of love, depression, addiction and optimism. Although the two never met, Baxter was deeply inspired by Miller’s music and frequently cited Miller as one of the major inspirations on Baxter’s latest album, 2018’s critically acclaimed Wide Awake.