Caity Baser, a singer/songwriter originally from Southampton but now based in Brighton, blew up on TikTok early last year and is now creating a reputation for herself in the music industry with her honest, melodic lyrics and endearing, authentic sound.
The music she creates is not only upbeat and soulful, but it also contains great down to earth lyrics with poignant messages about overcoming low points and challenges that we all experience as young people in life and relationships.
Last year, Caity managed to create a significant fanbase for herself whilst in our UK lockdown. She posted a video of her singing her song ‘Average Student’ on TikTok over a simple guitar loop and managed to receive over 1.2 million views overnight. Almost instantly she was scouted by her current manager and was able to kick start her music career by writing and recording music.
Last July, she released her 8 track mixtape ‘Lil CB’, off the back of her TikTok success and her songs ‘STD’ and ‘Haters’ from the debut release have received over 1m streams combined on Spotify. The musical duo Future Cut, who were the team behind many acclaimed Lilly Allen songs such as ‘Smile’, produced most of the EP with Caity. She has said previously “These songs and this mixtape mean everything to me. It literally describes my life over the past year and a half.”
‘Friendly Sex’ is Caity’s newest single which came out last Friday and it completely embodies her cheeky, unpolished style with quick talking slang lyrics behind a UKG type backbeat. The single is a perfect display of Caity’s varying talents and range of vocal abilities as she transitions from rap to harmonies throughout. Prior to the release, we had the chance to speak with her about her rise to popularity on TikTok, growing up and her recent BBC Introducing debut.
Firstly, congratulations on your recent BBC introducing slot, which is an amazing achievement for your career in music. I would love to know more about how your journey with songwriting and singing began?
Omg thanks! It’s so cool init. So crazy to hear me on the radio! Oh god, where did it even start I feel like I’ve always known that I was meant to do music. But I guess there was this one moment when I was like 7 or 8, my mum took me to a Katy Perry concert at the O2 and we had these seats right at the back we could barely see the stage aha! But I had the most amazing night ever and the whole time was thinking like holy crap I wanna be where she is right now singing my songs and making people feel good. And then after that I started doing music properly and writing little poems and stuff that id turn into songs and doing after school stuff and shows. But I’ve deffo always known that music is the only thing I wanna do.
What influenced you to start writing your own songs rather than singing covers?
I really REALLY suck at telling people how I feel and dealing with my emotions. So whenever something would happen that made me feel something whether that be good or bad, I’d always write about it. I feel a lot so I have a LOT of songs about loads of different stuff. It’s really sick because emotions come and go and whenever I feel a way about something I just write a song about it and feel better. It’s like a discussion but I’m not actually speaking to anybody. Sick.
How was the music scene in Southampton growing up? Was singing something you pursued at school/ did you gig in your hometown?
I mean Southampton as a whole is just like any other boring city I wouldn’t say that there was a music scene in Southampton. Actually, a lot of people where I’m from would hate on me and be like lol what are u doing music isn’t a job. ANYWAY. I still would do music every day. In school, I’d be late to lessons cuz I was in the music rooms playing the piano and writing songs. In any breaks that I had as well, I’d be in the music rooms on my own. Was like my little safe space. I did a few gigs with my college from like 16-18 and they were all sick!! But me and the educational system don’t get along. I really found it hard to sit down in a chair all day and learn how to mic a snare drum up for 6 weeks. I’d much rather bunk lessons and go to the piano room and make music on my own. Which is what I did lol. Sorry, not sorry.
I have seen your Reels on IG about how TikTok helped promote your music and help you reach out to a fanbase, how did this come about?
Honestly, I don’t know. One day I just posted a song that I wrote about being sad and broke in lockdown and it really connected with people. It blew up overnight and I found my manager who is a DIAMOND and also got loads of people to start supporting me which is super sick. I love my ‘fans’ but I think of them more as my mates tbh. They’re all sick.
Did you initially start using TikTok with the hope that it would help promote your music?
Nah I used tiktok as a funny little app to post me being silly. I didn’t even want to start posting me singing cuz I genuinely just thought I was rubbish. But one day I thought yeah okay I’ve made something and I think it’s cool so whatever. And also we were in lockdown so no one could grill me about it at college the next day. But thank god I did huh!!
When did you realise that TikTok had made a significant impact on your music career? How was the interaction with fans of your music at this stage?
I realised as soon as that first video blew up. I feel like people on TikTok don’t care about who follows who and who posts what which just creates a space to be whoever you want and have people actually accept you which is cool. And then after that video I just had bare people liking commenting and sharing and that still continues now!!
When did you start making music videos for your songs/ how did you come up with the concepts for each video?
Tbh every song that I make is about something thats happened. The lyrics are the storyline visually represented in the videos. So it’s all pretty easy. And also my brain is so chaotic that I come up with random ideas all the time hehe.
I have seen you have signed with a management company ‘chosen music management’, how did this occur/ did you have other offers for management?
So after I posted that TikTok about me being broke, Dakota Hoven from chosen music sent me a dm and was like ‘call me here’s my number’. And I remember I was in my lounge with my mate watching Rick and Morty thinking who on earth is this random lady. Anyway, I called her and the first thing I said was ‘who are you why’re you calling me’ and she was just instantly a ball of energy and fun. She baso said we love your video can you come to London tomorrow. I was like yeah sure okay. So I go to London meet my chosen and fall in love with everyone and they do the same obvs. Then they put me in the studio with future cut (best producers ever) they made all of Lily Allen’s big stuff. So it was all like a dream come true. And nah no one else had a chance to offer me anything else cuz dak was straight in there. And I wouldn’t want it any other way:))))!
I saw that you released a mixtape last July, what was the process behind this?
It was essentially a few songs about me and my life experiences. I was working with future cut a lot and we were making like 5 songs a day. And the ones that slapped a little too much were the ones that went on the EP. it’s something I never thought I’d be able to do. So hearing my silly thoughts on a few songs Is MAD!!!
I’d love to know more about the BBC introducing slot you did before Christmas, how was this experience for you?
It was crazy tbh! Growing up I’d always say to my family and friends one day you’re gunna be driving and I’m gunna be on the radio. And it’s happened SO much!!! I love nothing more than making people happy through my music so to hear myself and hear people’s reactions to me is just crazy. Don’t think it’ll ever get old!
What are your plans in the next couple of months for your music, have you got any projects planned/ festivals?
I’ve got so much planned!! Got a new single coming out Friday the 26th of March which is sick! I’ve got some big plans music-wise for the summer, in the studio every day making bangers!!!