Kurt Baker and Oglio Records are bringing a cult favorite back to life. Originally released in 2010 as the explosive introduction to Baker’s solo career, “Got It Covered” will finally receive its long-awaited vinyl debut in 2026 — newly remastered for both vinyl and digital platforms and led by the release of the first single, Baker’s electrified take on Blondie’s classic “Hanging on the Telephone.”
The official video for “Hanging on the Telephone” is streaming now. Watch the video here.
Produced by Linus of Hollywood and featuring guest appearances from Kay Hanley (Letters To Cleo) and drummer Adam Marcello, “Got It Covered” captures Baker channeling the spirit of late-’70s and early-’80s new wave, punk, and power pop through seven adrenaline-charged covers from artists like Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, The Knack, Nick Lowe, and The Vapors.
Learn more at https://linktr.ee/kurtmiltonbaker.
Let’s begin with the return of “Got it Covered.” How does it feel to see the return of this release and on vinyl?
Well, it feels really great. I've always wanted to have this album properly released on the vinyl format. When these old power pop new wave songs were originally released, they came out on vinyl — and not CD — so in that sense, these covers are in the grooves that they belong in. When "Got It Covered" came out in 2010, it was released digitally, and the whole streaming thing was just getting started, and of course it came out on CD. In my mind back then I still wanted to have it out on vinyl, but it wasn't in the cards. Now 16 years later, here we are!
How would you describe the sound of this album?
Gotta give some major props to Linus of Hollywood, who produced this record and Dave Trumfio, who mixed it. I've always loved how this record sounded — and even now, the mix doesn't feel dated. Now, in terms of vinyl — it was mastered for vinyl by Justin Perkins, and because it's just seven songs on the 12-inch LP, the songs have bigger grooves. Thing sounds massive. Turn it up.
Is there a particular song that resonates with you, even today?
Funny enough, a track like "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" by Joe Jackson makes me chuckle a bit, but it always has….I think my favorite cover on this album is "Cruel to Be Kind." Nick Lowe is one of my all-time favorites, and his backing band Los Straightjackets told me once how much they enjoyed the cover. That really meant a lot to me.
Is “Got it Covered” being released just as it first was?
Absolutely not! This album got a proper facelift. As mentioned, it's been mastered for vinyl, and the artwork actually features the originally intended front album cover photo. The graphic design was done by my friend Nat, really talented guy who plays in some great bands like Brower, Nancy and Josephine Network here in NYC. A legendary (although somewhat unknown and severely underrated) producer/musicologist Dick Hazelwood was kind enough to do a write-up for the inner sleeve artwork. I met Dick Hazelwood years ago; I don't think that's his actual last name — more of a stage name type of thing. He doesn't have any teeth anymore but he can definitely still write so i'm honored to have him involved in this release.
This kicked off your solo career. What have been some of the highlights?
There have been a ton of great times over the years. Playing on the sand dunes in the middle of the North Sea in Germany was wild. I had a drunken sing-along with Jimmy Fallon once in the East Village. Opened up for the Offspring once at this big old ballroom on the New Hampshire coast. It was built in the 1800s. Anyway, Offspring were suckin' so much power out of the place with their custom sound system recently flown in from Russia, that when we went to play, all our amps blew up. I don't know if that was a highlight, but I'm gonna use this opportunity to say — Dexter, if you are reading this right now, i'll take either a Venmo for $200 bucks or a truckload of Cheetos.
