U6th Pupils Xander and Grace interview Old Brutonian James about his journey into the music industry

U6th pupils Grace and Xander had the pleasure of interviewing Old Brutonian James Stuart Baker. James was a pupil at Kings between 1993 – 1997, and a pupil at Hazlegrove before that, where he achieved an all-rounder scholarship. He was a pupil in Lyon. After leaving King’s, James went on to go to St Andrew’s University in 1998. While there, he studied English & Philosophy and graduated in 2002 with an MA honours. Since leaving university, he is now based in New Zealand, where he has pursued a career music. His music is discoverable on Apple Music and Spotify.

His story is a testament to the fact that there is no one right way or journey to follow on the road to doing what you love, except for having the confidence to just start. We hope that by sharing his story, we may inspire other pupils curious about what the future could hold for them, or what opportunities King’s can prepare them for. As James said, he wishes he’d had the confidence to take the opportunities in music at King’s when he had the chance, so to all pupils we hope this can be your sign to take every opportunity that comes your way, as you never know where they may lead.

Can you tell us about your time at Hazlegrove? Are there any standout experiences or memories?

Hazlegrove was magical in the way only childhood can be. I have these vivid sensory memories – the epic trees we’d climb, the smell of fresh cut grass on summer afternoons. We’d blaze around the grounds in go-carts and play British Bulldogs in the courtyard until we were completely exhausted. I remember the excitement of lining up at the tuck shop and the ritual of sending letters home to my parents. It was such an innocent time, and those friendships forged on the playing fields have stayed with me. Obtaining an All-Rounder Scholarship to attend King's was also a personal highlight.

Do you have any stories or memories from being in Lyon House and can you tell us your favourite thing about it?

Lyon House taught me resilience, though not always in the ways you’d expect. The walks to school each day were brilliant for building friendships and having proper conversations. Though I do remember one mortifying moment when I tripped over my laces right in front of the rugby captains and coaches – total embarrassment! But that’s boarding school life, isn’t it? You learn to laugh at yourself.

Which subjects did you enjoy while studying at King’s?

Economics, without question. It felt like the first time I was being taught something that could genuinely benefit me in the real world. Beyond the abstract theories, it gave me frameworks for understanding how the world actually works markets, incentives, decision-making. That practical relevance made all the difference to my engagement with learning.

Can you tell us about some memories from your time at St Andrew’s?

St Andrew’s was absolutely amazing blue skies, beautiful beaches, brilliant pubs, and crucially, as far away from my hometown as I could possibly get! It was exactly the fresh start I needed. The town has this magical quality to it, steeped in history but vibrant with student life. I had some surreal moments there too – I once bumped into Prince William on the street and, on another occasion, shook hands with Samuel L. Jackson. It’s that kind of place where the extraordinary can happen on an ordinary Tuesday.

You graduated with MA in English and Psychology – what made you decide to change to a career in music?

It’s funny, my old headmaster Richard Smyth used to tell us to “aim high” – if you aim for an A, you have a better chance of hitting a B. But he’d also say that the degree is the bow without which your arrow can’t even take flight. I’ve carried that wisdom with me. After leaving King’s, I worked for the University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education, which was incredibly fulfilling. The shift to music isn’t really a career change in the traditional sense – I’m unlikely to make serious money from it. It’s more of a passion project, a way to leave something beautiful behind in this world, like a legacy. Music has always been there in the background, waiting for the right moment.

Were you involved in music whilst at King’s?

I used to hang out in the music rooms listening to my friends play their  let’s say, “developing” songs. They’d always want me to sing, but I was far too shy back then. I wish I’d had the confidence to jump in, but sometimes you need to grow into yourself first. Those music room sessions planted seeds that took years to germinate.

What made you move to New Zealand and how have you found the experience living there?

My family all emigrated to New Zealand before me, so there was always that pull to be closer to them. I initially came over on a working holiday visa, just to explore, and I absolutely fell in love with the country, especially the South Island. The landscapes, the lifestyle, the sense of space and possibility. Living here is genuinely a dream come true. It’s given me the freedom to pursue creative projects without the pressure and pace of the UK.

Can you tell us about your journey since leaving King’s – how have you got to where you are now?

After King’s, I worked for the University of Oxford, which was a fantastic experience. While there, I was in a band with some students, but it turned out to be a total nightmare getting people together to rehearse, sorting out venues, dealing with opposing creative visions. The move to New Zealand represented a fresh chapter, and crucially, advances in AI production methods have changed everything for me. I can now create music entirely on my own without any hindrance and distribute it to 200 countries within approximately two weeks. Since October 2024, I’ve released several singles, an EP called “Riding The Wave,” (a nod to generative AI) and a southern-style hip-hop album entitled “The Night Vision Trilogy.” The creative freedom is exhilarating.

Tell us about your music – do you have a message that you think music can bring? What inspires you?

My music is either an expression of what’s happening to me at the time, or it explores themes I’m wrestling with. “Echoes of Tomorrow,” for example, was written the night before I had to give a big speech. “Halfway To The Sun” came after making a mistake that felt like it could cost me my career progression at the time. Music has this incredible capacity to capture a moment, a feeling, and transform it into something that might resonate with someone else going through something similar.

I think music’s greatest power is its ability to connect us to make us feel less alone in our experiences. Whether it’s joy, anxiety, ambition, or heartbreak, there’s something profound about packaging those emotions into melody and rhythm.

Discover James music on Spotify and YouTube

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