Gulf Coast Records has announced the release of Granite, the debut EP from powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Kelli Baker, arriving October 24, 2025. Available to pre-order now in CD and digital formats, the record presents a striking blend of dark blues and rock, reflecting both Baker’s Arizona roots and her unshakable presence as a rising artist.
Produced and engineered by Mike Watts at VUDU Studios, Granite delivers seven tracks that balance grit with emotion. Backed by an outstanding band including Italian guitar and harmonica talent Noé Socha and drummer Tom Curiano, Baker’s performances cut deep, her voice moving from sultry and soulful to raw and commanding.
Stories of love, loss and resilience
The first single, “Silk Flowers,” released August 1, explores the tension of modern relationships. Inspired by her great-grandparents, the song carries both nostalgia and a biting edge. “Silk Flowers don’t mean a thing, don’t you give me your roses when I’ve got a garden green,” Baker sings, a defiant refusal to accept surface-level sentiment.
The second single, “Granite (Badlands),” released September 9, deals with grief in a deeply personal way. Written about the sudden loss of her father, the track captures what Baker calls “a place you can’t return to, where someone you loved once was, but isn’t anymore.” Recorded live with just Baker and Socha, its sparse arrangement heightens the emotional weight.
Other tracks include “Right On Time,” “The Call,” “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” “Love In The Sheetz,” and a searing take on “Whipping Post.”
A voice that demands attention
Kelli Baker’s career has been building fast. With comparisons to blues legends and praise from top artists, she has shared stages with Mike Zito, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Samantha Fish. She has already collected accolades including first place in Nashville’s Blues Revival 615, recognition from the National Women in Blues in Memphis, and festival headlines across the US.
Her achievements on record are just as notable. Baker’s version of “Dr. Feelgood (Love is a Serious Business)” topped the Roots Music Report’s Blues Song chart, and she was a winner in the International Blues Challenge’s Long Island/Brooklyn/Queens division.
Backed by Gulf Coast Records
Her signing to Gulf Coast Records marks a new chapter. “Kelli Baker is a full-on rockstar,” says label director Mike Zito. “She brings it all to the stage and leaves it there every night. Gulf Coast Records is super excited to work with Kelli and bring her music and passion to the world.”
Olly Overton, also of Gulf Coast Records, adds: “Don’t sleep on this. Kelli’s raw, emotive artistry marks her as a rising force; she’s destined to be a trailblazer in the genre.”
With Granite, Kelli Baker cements her reputation as a fearless new voice in blues and rock, an artist unafraid to turn her personal stories into songs that linger long after the last note.
Granite will be released October 24, 2025, via Gulf Coast Records.
