Harvard is one of the most diversely talented colleges in the country, and many times students don’t even know the extent of their peer’s abilities. In our new series, we interview and showcase some of the college’s best artists and their work.
HPR: Hey Meredith, thanks for taking time out to meet with me and to share about your music. So let me start with the first question: how did this all get started for you?
MB: I always wrote poems in high school, but I began to wonder if I could turn them into songs. With that in mind, I started learning guitar so I could translate them to music.
I find songwriting a great form a therapy, especially to get away from all the stress here at Harvard. Also, when I travel, I always take my guitar with me so I can play for the people I’m with. I was teaching in Nambia one summer and I played my students the song “Baby, Baby” during one morning in assembly. In a couple of weeks they were telling me in the hallway: “Miss Baker, play ‘Baby, Baby’!’.” It was a great moment for me.
HPR: Who would you consider major influences in terms of your playing style?
MB: John Mayer, he is my musical inspiration. I think all his songs have really described my experiences in life. Just as my songs describe friendships that I’ve had or dealing with a broken heart, I’ve found him to be a huge influence in the kind of songs I like to write.
HPR: So how often do you find yourself writing music?
MB: I write about once a month. Once I’m inspired to write about something, an idea or concept I’ve been thinking about, I’ll write it out in about 10 minutes.
This summer, I went to Israel and Cyprus which were such beautiful places. Even though I was travelling alone, I loved being there so much I was inspired to write a song, “Alone In Paradise”. That’s my first song on the ukelele.
HPR: Could you tell me more about your song-writing process? Do the lyrics come first, or does a tune pop out in your head, or is a mix between?
MB: Usually something significant happens in my life, and then I think about how I want to remember it – a lesson that I’ve learnt, or a specific feeling I’ve had. Once it crystallizes, I put it down into writing in about 10 minutes and I’ll try not to change it as much as possible.
HPR: Where do you see yourself going with your music? Are you considering the industry?
MB: I would love to, though right now I’m looking at performing more and meeting other musicians. What makes me really happy is performing and making my audience happy too. In the end I want to give it a shot, no matter what happens. I don’t want to look back next time when I’m 40 or something and regret that I didn’t at least try.
HPR: What is the favorite song you’ve written so far and what is it about?
MB: That’s a tough question, but my favorite song would probably be the first song I ever wrote “Baby, Baby” — not to be confused with Justin Bieber. It’s about how everything will work out in the end and discovering the little things you really enjoy in life.
HPR: Do you feel that Harvard has given you enough opportunities to perform and exhibit your music?
MB: Though I’ve been able given some opportunities at several events like the Eliot House barbeque, the Starbucks in the Square, the Asian American Association’s Coffee House – and the recent HPR meeting – I wish there were more venues to perform.
Baby, Baby (Namibia):
Alone in Paradise (on the ukelele in Rio):
Beside Me (in Kenya):
Crystallized Moment in Time: