Photo: Baby Tapir

Baby Tapir: ‘Bright And Morningstar’ and the Freedom to Follow Inspiration

Baby Tapir is an artist who embraces the unpredictable nature of creativity, combining accessible sounds with unusual ideas and a strong sense of duality. With influences ranging from the drum-machine era of They Might Be Giants to the alternative pop sounds associated with MGMT and Foster The People, Baby Tapir refuses to be confined to one particular genre or aesthetic.

The latest single, ‘Bright And Morningstar’, is the result of a lengthy creative process, taking around ten months to complete. Written largely during long walks, the song eventually came together through patience, experimentation and repeated consideration of its lyrics and melodies. Recorded and produced at home, the track also highlights the freedom that comes from handling every stage of the creative process independently.

We spoke to Baby Tapir about the making of ‘Bright And Morningstar’, the benefits of walking while songwriting, complete creative control, spirituality, musical duality and why following inspiration rather than algorithms remains at the heart of the project.

‘Bright And Morningstar’ took a long time to write. What kept you coming back to the song, and how did it eventually come together?

Yes, ‘Bright And Morningstar’ took a long time for me to write. Some songs are very quick. This one took about 10 months. I wrote in between. The lyrics weren’t coming. I do most of my writing while taking walks. After many walks and lots of consideration, I had the thing I foresaw, so to speak.

You mention taking long walks to find the right words and melodies. What is it about walking that helps you with your songwriting?

I’ve heard that Ray Davies from The Kinks used to do the same thing. We share the same birthday as well. Anyways, I feel like the walking and the change of scenery frees up my mind to create lyrically. I can move the words around and take them in and out easier while walking.

You handle everything yourself, from writing and playing to recording and mixing. What do you enjoy most about having complete creative control over your music?

The turnaround time is so much faster. A few times a song will go from a couple chords to mastered with 40 tracks in a 24 hour span. Working with a band is much more deliberate. While I do like the input and collaboration, writing with others is not the case at the moment.

The song takes inspiration from artists such as MGMT, They Might Be Giants and Foster The People, while also bringing in darker, dirge-like elements. What attracts you to combining those different sounds?

I would say that the sound of the song at certain parts reminds me of those mentioned artists, but they did not directly inspire it. Although the drum machine era of They Might Be Giants holds a substantial influence on me.

‘Bright And Morningstar’ can be interpreted in different ways. What does the song mean to you personally, and has that meaning changed while you were making it?

It always meant the same thing to me. And that’s why it took a while to finish. But I don’t like talking about the meaning of songs… It’s like explaining a joke or revealing a magic trick. It’s never the same after that, rendering it less valuable. The listener’s interpretation is more important to me, and I would prefer not to influence that.

You recorded the single at home. What does your home studio setup allow you to do that you might not be able to do in a traditional recording studio?

It’s much cheaper overall. I can spend as long as I want with it. As many takes as I need. And I can alter the sounds in post-production until it’s just right. If I baked in an amp or keyboard into the performance, I’d be stuck with it. I like the flexibility.

Your music seems to balance catchy and accessible sounds with deeper and more unusual ideas. Is that contrast something you consciously aim for?

I like duality or a sense of ambivalence or non-determinism in music. Life is shifting, uncertain, and open to interpretation. And so is my music. If someone likes a Baby Tapir song and they go to hear another one, they will likely be confused. I don’t try to create a unifying sound. Maybe there is one. It’s not intentional. Very similar to my previous project, The Dobermans, which was closed due to timeline modalities.

There are clear spiritual ideas behind the song and your creative outlook. How does spirituality influence the music you make and the subjects you write about?

I’ve seen many musicians who claim a specific spiritual leaning and then espouse the opposite in their music. My inclination is to integrate the two. For better or worse. Too spiritual for indie and too indie for spiritual. But that’s what fits me best. I also cover secular topics from my point of view. I make an effort to not use profanity as I don’t like the idea of being censored. Even though that is a form of self-censoring. Restrictions make us more innovative, I find.

What have you learned about yourself as a songwriter while making ‘Bright And Morningstar’, and what are you hoping to explore next with Baby Tapir?

I’ve learned that I still like writing music. And that it’s better to follow inspiration over an algorithm. Because, if for no other reason, your music will be of you. Not of you trying to ride a trend. I will continue writing and see what happens. Thank you, Kris, for this interview and the great questions.

https://babytapir.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/@BabyTapirMusic
https://echonation.uk/baby-tapir

FVMusicBlog October 2026

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