Bastian Baker Recreates Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress Me Much" in 2018

Originally from Switzerland, singer/songwriter Bastian Baker is currently opening up for Shania Twain on her "Now Tour."

Having played hockey for 13 years, Bastian also took on music at an early age, learning how to play the guitar at just seven years old (the same year he began playing hockey). But at 18, after being discovered by a producer in Switzerland, Baker decided to focus on making music, and eventually, his music and touring would become his career.

After meeting at a music festival in Switzerland, Bastian and Shania became friends, and now, the 27-year-old is touring with the country/pop icon. So, while at iHeartRadio HQ, Bastian recreated one of her biggest hits, "That Don't Impress Me Much," but the 2018 edition. Because, in today's times, there is a plethora of things to be unimpressed by 20+ years later...

Learn more about Bastian Baker in our exclusive interview with him below. He talks about meeting Shania (and a funny exchange between his dad and her), what touring with her has been like, what he's learned from her, his new single "All Around Us," and more.

Describe what it has been like being on tour with Shania Twain?

"Being on tour with Shania Twain is amazing. I don't think there's any other word to describe [it]. She's been a good friend of mine for the last six years, a mentor in terms of music, and the fact that she hand-picked me to come on this tour and goes against all the laws of the music industry, kinda, with me being a newcomer on this tour is really awesome. I get to open for her every night, I play half an hour, just guitar and vocals, which is really awesome because we're playing those bigger arenas and I'm showing up alone on stage. So it's always a very special moment. And then every night I get to perform a duet with her on one of my favorite songs, 'Party for Two,' which is a super-dynamic, sexy fun song. So, it's great. And it's a long tour. We have about 80 shows this year. The crowd's reactions are all awesome, touring with her is great. We do a lot of things together. She loves great food, [which] me too, so we always try to find the nice restaurants. We love to play tennis, so we'll end up playing doubles on the days off."

What have you learned from Shania?

"She's an amazing pro. She's aware of everything that's happening, and she created most of the show, which includes so much production, and great dancers, and bands, and lasers. And, every night she'll be like, 'Yeah, we could do this better, or we could do that better.' She's really in control of what's happening, and I think that's one of the reasons why she's 'still the one,' you know. She's been doing this for years, and it's proven her right. So, she's a big inspiration. The way she is the most grounded, humble person, even though she's sold 100 million records, won five Grammy's, and you just hang out with her, and you're like, 'Oh yeah, I tend to forget.' You know, she's so nice.

When I met her, I knew who Shania Twain was, but I had no idea she was this legend. I was playing at Montreux Jazz Festival, which is a legendary festival in Switzerland, and she happened to see my show. And, right after my show, someone came and told me, 'Hey, this Canadian singer wants to meet you.' I'm like, 'Alright, Canadians are fun. Sounds good.' And, so we met and we had lunch, and her and her husband, and her son, they're all super-nice, and so we had the best time. They actually met with my family that day, and I tell you, my dad was asking her, 'So, what do you do?' And she's like, 'Well, you know, I'm in the music [industry].' And I had just started ... like Montreux was one of my first big festivals. And my dad was like, 'Oh, okay, well, my son is also in the industry. So if you ever need help, let us know.' And I'm like, 'I think she's doing okay.' So, it was fun moments, and we've been good friends ever since."

What is your new single "All Around Us" about? 

"'All Around Us' is actually a song I wrote in New York last year. It's a super positive song, we wrote it after a few more dramatic events had happened. It was all over the news, and it was all sad, and negative, and my friend and I were just like, 'Dude, we gotta write something that brings people together and that tells them, if you look around you in a positive way, you'll always find the good in some places, even if it might seem [like a] totally desperate situation.' So that's what it is, just keep it positive, that's how I live. Just always look at the bright side of life. And that's what this song encourages you to do."

For someone who is just discovering you, how would you describe your music?

"I think it's a cross of many different styles. I'll write with the guitar, mostly. So, acoustic, pop, folk, country, there's a little bit of different influences in my music. I'm on tour with Shania Twain, and she might be the best example, because she is a pop/country artist, whose shows are rock. And, that's what I like about it. I feel like everybody can enjoy my music, it's easy listening, it's fun. I just want everybody to have a good time at my shows."

What's next for you?

"For now, I'm just super happy how things are going. We're going to all these new places, some I'd never even heard about, and we're doing press, and then I'm meeting all these new fans in North America, and it's awesome. After all of my sets I do a meet-and-greet with the people, and there's so many people showing up, buying the records, or posters, or t-shirts, and it's great to be able to meet some new fans, because I've never toured here before. We're gonna go to Europe after North America, then Australia and New Zealand, and that's gonna go until December. And, in the meantime, I'm working on some new music. We're gonna release some music before the end of the year, probably a whole album either end of this year, or early next year. And, then we're gonna start working on my own tour, and make sure we come back and visit all those places we've played at."

Photos: Katherine Tyler