BAKEY "steps back into clubby territory" with "deeper, darker" new EP BACKROOMS

If you’ve spent any time on a dance floor in the past few years, chances are you’ve skanked to a Bakey tune. The UKG and breaks innovator has been steadily building a rep as one of the most consistent names in the new wave of club producers—never standing still, always tweaking the formula.

Known for his percussive flair and bass-heavy selections, Bakey’s productions nod to the golden eras of garage and dubstep while staying firmly rooted in the now. His latest project, BACKROOMS, arrives as his debut EP on Warehouse Project Records, offering three cuts that explore the darker, more minimal edges of his sound—complete with eerie textures, booming subs, and a few curveballs for good measure.

With a stacked year ahead - including an extra special month-long Phonox residency to support the release - it’s clear that BAKEY is entering a new chapter. We caught up with him to talk all things BACKROOMS, the influence of Burial and Horsepower, making tunes on train rides, and how his collaboration with FelixCW accidentally birthed one of the EP’s biggest anthems.

Check out what he had to say below, and head over to your chosen streaming site and give BACKROOMS a spin now!

Hi BAKEY, how have you been and what have you been up to recently?

"Yeah, good thanks! Just done the big move from Leeds to Bristol, so I've just been focusing on tryna settle in, and I wanna get to know the city a bit more."

We’re here to chat about your highly anticipated debut EP BACKROOMS, set for full release on 4th April. How is that project coming along, and what can you tell us about the EP as a whole?

"Yeah, it’s all wrapped up now and was a fun project to work on.

"So the EP is 3 tracks. I felt like the EP as a whole was me wanting to step back into clubby territory after doing ‘Wouldn’t Believe’.

"Sonically, it feels like ‘BACKROOMS’ and ‘UNDER CONTROL’ are the deeper, darker ones, heavily inspired by the sounds of early dubstep. The third and final track ‘DON’T STOP’ feels quite different. However, it felt like the right tune to round up the EP, and it was an absolute pleasure writing it alongside my good friend Felix (Felixcw)."

Where did the concept for BACKROOMS come from? The branding around it is very minimalistic, black and white, and features these stills of empty office-like rooms with just speakers or people in them. 

"To be honest, I’ve never usually had an obvious idea for the visual side to the music.

"But this was the first time I came up with a clear concept in my head. There were lots of eerie, unsettling sounds that went into the title track ‘BACKROOMS’ - it naturally fit with the whole liminal space aesthetic and that feeling of being lost and disorientated. 

The production you’ve stated is also Burial-inspired. Chat to us a bit about his influences, but also any other places/artists you sought inspiration from for the EP?

"Burial has always been someone I’ve admired, but my main inspirations for the EP were the likes of El-B and Horsepower Productions who are legends in the dubstep and UK garage world, and then artists like Skeptical and Alix Perez from the Drum & Bass world were a huge influence too.

"I wanted to take elements from both scenes and try and make something fresh."

You’ve released two tracks from it so far, 'BACKROOMS' and 'UNDER CONTROL' - you mentioned you wanted to bring the darker, more dubby and minimal side of your sound with this record, and it shows excellently. What can you tell us about the processes of making each of them? And what's the reaction been like live?

"To be fair, I don’t really have a specific process when writing these tracks or any tracks I make.

"It changes all the time and is often quite random. I usually start tracks when I’m on the train to gigs or travelling home. It feels like a good space to think about ideas and I’m often inspired the morning after gigs.

‘UNDER CONTROL' is a tune that just chases that crowd reaction with a very in-your-face bassline. This track’s in particular had some great reactions, especially my first time playing it out at Warehouse Project. 

I’ve had a listen to the EP, and whilst I do love the aforementioned tunes, the atmosphere and energy of 'DON'T STOP' really got me, and I can’t wait for everyone else to hear that one. Tell us about the track, as it feels a little different to the others on the EP. Was this down to working with FelixCW, or was it just wanting a different vibe?

"That tune was definitely the most fun to make on the EP.

"Me and Felix have been good mates all through our Leeds years and often worked on tunes together. It’s always fun making tunes with someone you know super well because you can experiment and be more critical with each other. Meaning the outcome is always much better I think.

"We didn’t really plan to make a big warehouse room tune as it’s not really either of our forte’s - But it slowly turned into one.

"Adding the vocal was the final layer and I remember us both being super surprised about what we made. This tune was originally under our joint alias ‘OPTION’, but we decided to re-release it under our main names, and I thought it would be a great shout to include it on the EP."

The single and EP will be out on the new Warehouse Project Records. You became the first artists signed to them; what has it been like working with them on the EP?

"It’s been wicked working with WHP as they’ve been really open to anything I’ve been making.

"It was also a big pleasure to kick off the label with ‘Wouldn’t Believe.’ I’ve always loved Warehouse Project and think they are really important in pushing a lot of fresh sounds and talent."

The release coincides with a 4 week residency at Phonox, too. How much are you looking forward to that, and what is the idea behind these parties?

"I can’t bloody wait for these Phonox nights to be underway.

"I had so much fun planning the lineups, and I really wanted each night to focus on a different style that inspired me in some shape or form.

"I feel very lucky to be able to host so many talented artists, new and old, that have helped shape the scenes we know and love today." 

You’ll also be bringing pioneers and future icons like Champion, reek0, Dismantle, Zed Bias and Breaka. Tell us a bit about why you chose those names in particular and what they’ll be bringing to their respective nights. 

"All the names I chose for the lineups are DJs and MCs I’ve been really inspired by and look up to.

"I’m really gassed for everyone to properly take them in. This is another reason why I won’t be dropping the set times."

Past the release and the residency, what else is 2025 holding for BAKEY? 

"Very gassed for this year! Can finally get my album out, which has been in the works for way too long haha.

"On top of that, festival-wise, there are a bunch I’m really excited for, including Glastonbury, We Out Here with my bro IZCO, and of course, Outlook Festival in Croatia.

Find tickets to upcoming BAKEY shows, where you can hear all the new tracks and his signature garage breaks, by clicking or tapping - HERE

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.