BATHS
TMN EXCLUSIVE
I LIKE TO FEEL MUSIC AS A POSITIVELY SELFISH ENDEAVOR
Interview with Baths. SXSW 2025. By Pablo Herrera (TMN).
I arrived at the Baths concert with a sense of excitement I could barely contain. My connection to his music began years ago, when I first moved to New York City. It was 2013—the year his second album, Obsidian, was released—and the track “Miasma Sky” instantly etched itself into those early NYC memories. Hearing that song for the first time, with its blend of electronic textures and haunting melodies, was unforgettable. I was immediately intrigued by the sound, but like many, I made the mistake of pre-judging it. I assumed his future albums would simply follow the same formula.
But his latest release, Gut, is yet another reminder that Baths is never one to repeat himself. The album is bold, raw, and emotionally unfiltered—perhaps his most vulnerable work to date. It blends glitchy production with deeply personal lyrics, and it feels like a culmination of everything he’s been building toward creatively. Gut doesn’t cater to expectations; it defies them, offering an experience that is both unsettling and beautiful. Listening to it, you realize that Baths is still evolving—still taking risks, still refusing to be boxed in.
That resistance to conformity has defined his entire career. He didn’t want to please anyone; he simply wanted to create, purely and authentically. His path became a reference for me—not just as an artist but as a person who has consistently chosen the road less traveled. In a world that’s constantly pushing artists to conform, Baths chose to make music on his own terms. He didn’t follow formulas or rules that stifled his creativity. He embraced the most essential truth: you only live once. Are you going to do what others want? Are you going to let yourself be molded into a product, commodified and packaged for others’ gain, or are you going to follow your instincts and create something that truly means something to you?
Baths chose the latter. He understood that authenticity and art are far more transcendent than chasing records or fitting into trends. He’s a musician who wants to leave a legacy—not be defined by chart positions or sales numbers. That kind of integrity is priceless. It's rare to see someone who isn’t afraid to go against the grain, someone who values artistry and personal truth above all else. That’s why I admire him deeply. People like Baths—people who do exactly what they want, who don’t conform to the expectations of others—remind us all of the power of staying true to oneself.
An Exclusive Interview with TMN at SXSW 2025
In an industry that often demands conformity, Baths (aka Will Wiesenfeld) has always carved his own path. TMN had the privilege of sitting down with him during an exclusive interview at SXSW 2025, where we discussed everything from his creative process to his decision to remain independent. "The root of how I make music is always literally, I just do exactly what I want to do," Wiesenfeld reflects, explaining his creative approach. This sense of creative freedom is central to his artistry. Despite the success of his debut album and the inevitable comparisons to other electronic musicians, Baths has remained fiercely independent and dedicated to exploring new sounds on his own terms.
For Wiesenfeld, making music has always been about personal expression, not about following trends or meeting others’ expectations. "Even if folks are like, ‘Oh, this was what I really liked,’ or ‘That song was my favorite,’ it's irrelevant,” he says. His approach is a rejection of the traditional pressures that often plague artists—he simply follows his instincts, even if it means leaving behind previous successes.
“The root of how I make music is always literally, I just do exactly what I want to do.”
Baths during his performance at SXSW 2025. Photo by Pablo Herrera (TMN).
A New Kind of Freedom: Defining Identity on His Own Terms
The release of his first album, Cerulean, marked a defining moment in Baths' career. Critics and fans lauded it for its unique blend of electronic, indie pop, and experimental sounds, but they also pigeonholed him into a genre box. Instead of embracing that label, Wiesenfeld chose to explore new creative directions. “It was important to make a record that was almost the opposite,” he explains, emphasizing that his creative vision is fluid and not tied to any particular sound.
This sense of freedom wasn't merely about breaking musical conventions—it was about asserting his identity as an artist. The pressure to fit into a mold was heavy, but for Baths, defying expectations was the key to artistic integrity. "I feel free, I am free, and that’s very, very cool,” Wiesenfeld says, highlighting how empowering it has been to embrace creative independence.
“It was important to make a record that was almost the opposite of Cerulean.”
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The Struggles of Being an Independent Artist
While many artists opt for the financial security of signing with a major label, Baths has chosen to remain independent. Despite the financial hurdles and the challenges of self-management, Wiesenfeld has never wavered in his commitment to maintaining control over his music. "I never had the sensation to say, ‘You know, I can sign for a record label that may secure my financial future,’" he admits, echoing sentiments he’s shared in this TMN interview.
After the success of Cerulean, there was a natural temptation to follow up with something commercially safe, but Wiesenfeld resisted. Instead, he released Obsidian, a much darker and more introspective album that saw him further break away from his initial sound. "It was wildly difficult because of how staunch I am about doing what I want to do,” he shares, reflecting on the risk of such a stark change in direction.
Despite the unpredictability of independent music, he has stayed committed to a singular goal: to create what feels right to him. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs financially, but so much of it is still just making stuff that’s honest for me," Wiesenfeld explains. His decision to put creativity above all else has been challenging, but it’s also what has defined his journey as an artist.
“It was wildly difficult because of how staunch I am about doing what I want to do,”
Baths during his performance at SXSW 2025. Photo by Pablo Herrera (TMN).
The Evolution of an Artist: Finding Identity Through Imitation
Like many artists, Wiesenfeld started by imitating those who inspired him. “I did shitty Björk knockoff-type music for years,” he confesses with a laugh. But over time, he stopped simply mimicking and began to develop his own voice. “At a certain point, I just had been doing it for so long that it started to change into something that was way more my own thing,” he says.
In his exclusive interview with TMN at SXSW 2025, Wiesenfeld reflected on how imitation serves as a necessary phase for many musicians. For him, it wasn’t about copying forever—it was about learning from others and then making the leap to originality. “It’s hard to teach, but the biggest lesson is just time,” he admits. Giving himself the space to explore and evolve, regardless of how long it took, has been key to finding his authentic sound.
“I did shitty Björk knockoff-type music for years. At a certain point, I just had been doing it for so long that it started to change into something that was way more my own thing.”
Creative Satisfaction: A Priceless Reward
Through all the challenges, the one constant for Baths has been the sense of satisfaction that comes from creating music on his own terms. He’s faced both critical acclaim and mixed reviews, but what truly matters to him is the feeling of making the music he set out to create. “I’ve had critical reviews of stuff that I’ve done, like kind of all over the place, and my own personal satisfaction,” Wiesenfeld says. “But at the end of every project, it’s been that same feeling of like, ‘I did what I set out to do.’”
While financial success is important, for Baths, the true reward lies in knowing that he stayed true to his artistic vision. “Even if the money isn’t there, even if the reception isn’t there, even if the reviews aren’t there, if you still made the record you wanted to make, it’s way easier to continue to make music,” he says. The creative satisfaction that comes from remaining true to himself is what has kept him going through the ups and downs of an unpredictable industry.
“Even if the money isn’t there, even if the reception isn’t there, even if the reviews aren’t there, if you still made the record you wanted to make, it’s way easier to continue to make music.”
Baths during his performance at SXSW 2025. Photo by Pablo Herrera (TMN).
A Lifelong Commitment to Creative Freedom
Looking back at his career, Wiesenfeld feels a deep sense of pride in his independence. Despite the challenges of being an independent artist—whether financial or creative—he has never strayed from his mission of making music that feels authentic to him. “I’ve been lucky enough that the same people have followed what I’ve done and continue to want to support what I do while I still have the creative freedom I’ve always dreamed of,” Wiesenfeld reflects.
For Baths, music is not just about making a living or gaining fame—it’s about continuing to create freely. “It’s very, very good. I feel very lucky,” he concludes. And with that, he continues his journey as an artist who prioritizes personal freedom above all else, proving that true creativity thrives when you remain committed to your own vision, no matter the external pressures.
“I’ve been lucky enough that the same people have followed what I’ve done and continue to want to support what I do while I still have the creative freedom I’ve always dreamed of.”
FEELING INSPIRED?
Become a TMN member and join the community powering the next generation of creators.
Get exclusive content, support young and independent journalism, learn alongside emerging talent, and be part of a movement that believes in the power of ideas.
TMN exists thanks to people like you!
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