Interview Matt Daniel-Baker

1 November 2022

This month's interview is with Matt Daniel-Baker, this guy has come into my life and has helped me out so much and become a good friend, he is always there to ask for help and advice and has given me lots of guidance as I've got more into stage performance.

He is such an all round great guy and I'm honoured how much time he has given me - consulting, creating music and writing parts for my comedy routines as well as the main part of my act for the semi finals of Sussex superstars. (which is the 15th December by the way) he has even been teaching Dave
the Dinosaur mind reading!

I met up with him this month and asked him a few questions.... Hi Matt, please can you introduce yourself to those not familiar with you and your work?

My name is Matt Daniel-Baker and I'm a professional mind reader! That means I'm going to be getting inside some of your minds, manipulating your thoughts and influencing some of your decisions. (That's actually how I open my shows, so seemed fitting)

Who was your biggest inspiration and who still inspires you?

Growing up it was definitely Elvis Presley, Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, Ken Dodd, Jerry Lewis and Dudley Moore.

In terms of magic there was a kid at school called Neil Watkis who would do card tricks. He was a bit of a loner and would drink alcohol (we were around 14), we called him Neil Whiskey. He always amazed me and looking back I think it was him who woke the magic up in me. I didn't get into magic until I was 23 when David Blaine hit the screens. He reminded me of the Neil Whiskey days and that was it I was hooked. So David Blaine inspired me, then in time, Graham Jolley and Derren Brown. There was also a homeless man on a train once who made a hanky vanish. He blew my mind! That happened in between Whiskey and Blaine. Oh, and Robert Pound did a classic force on me the first time I ever visited a magic shop (Davenports) it impacted me greatly and became something I was determined to master. Which I have!

Most recently I was inspired by comedy magician Mike Hammer in Las Vegas. His show literally changed my mind on how my career would develop. It was one of the best one-man shows I've ever seen. It unlocked the beast in me.

How did you move from close-up to stage?
That happened gradually. I don't specifically remember the moment I decided I wanted to do stage work. It was probably someone asking me if I had a cabaret act. At the time there wasn't really anywhere to see a magician perform a cabaret set, so it always seemed like a mystery or a secret that everyone knew except me. These days things like YouTube and online magic lectures are useful places to observe stage acts. I always encourage magicians to come and see my show in London - not because I'm any good but because it's a great opportunity to see what a stage/cabaret act looks like.

Can you give any advice for anyone wanting to transition from close up to stage?
I can definitely give advice. In fact, it's something I've been doing a lot of recently. I have a lot of magicians get in touch with me privately for help with their shows. So I've decided I'm going to produce a stage-work course and a one-2-one directing service. I have also starting giving lectures on how to design your act and also some brilliant tips on how to boost your show and elevate it with some simple moments. In the meantime for people, start offering 'something for everyone' at the end of a close-up gig. Just 10 minutes at the end. Keep it simple and keep working that 10 minutes. You'll soon feel the desire to push it to 15, 20 30 minutes. I can say I have experienced this help and advice first hand and would recommend this course, and one - 2 - one directing service to anyone looking to boost their performance and show.

Where was your biggest gig?
I've been very lucky in that I've performed all over the world (over 30 countries). Many have been for very prestigious companies. The biggest show in terms of numbers was probably an Indian wedding, in India. They had built a small village for a wedding. I did a stage show and there was about 3,000 people watching. It was carnage!

Which celebrities have you performed for and gave the best reaction. (Name drop time)
Again, I've been fortunate in finding myself in impressive situations over the years. Some name drops include Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Piers Morgan, Bill Murray, Prince/King Charles, The Beckhams, Arsenal 1st team etc. The best reaction was a warm kiss from Joanna Lumley.

How was it performing on Penn & Teller Fool us - did you get to hang out with them?
It was a brilliant and bizarre experience. They look after you very well and being in Las Vegas for it was exhilarating. I performed on the show with Keelan Leyser, we had/have a double act called The Digital Illusionists. It's a digital act using loads of iPads and technology, They keep you away from Penn & Teller as they don't want to know who's performing for them. So they aren't influenced in any way.

Although I suspect its so you don't pester them for selfies and show them your new oil and water moves. However, on the day of the show they sprung an unwanted surprise on us.

We had rehearsed the routine using Alyson (the host) and everything was in place for that to happen. We were performing in the evening show so had all day to prepare. At 7am the producers called us and said we were no longer using Alyson but had to perform with ventriloquist Terry Fator and Winston the impersonating turtle. Terry won AGT a few years before and had his own show in Vegas.

They wanted to promote it so put him as a guest on Penn & Teller. It felt like a disaster as it had the potential to turn from a cool tech act into a ludicrous pantomime. They also told us he couldn't take part in the evening show so we had to do the afternoon show instead. The pressure was immense. But we made it work and it turned out to be the best opportunity we could have hoped for. Terry was very aware of not getting in our way and was open to some scripting that we came up with for him. He was great.

We had a brief chat with Penn & Teller after the show but we were whisked away to The Hard Rock Hotel to film some sequences for our pre-interview parts. It was extremely cool. Tk

Who is your favourite magician/mentalist?
I think Derren Brown is the king of it all. He has something rare. I'm glad I've had the chance to explain to him the brilliance he possesses.
I'd like to point out that we will both have shows in the West-End at the same time. It's a 2 minute 10 second walk from stage door to stage door. I know because I timed it. Derren remains oblivious.

Have you ever had a NORMAL job?
Loads of them. Where do I start??? Probably being a waiter in a brothel.
Wait... what ? This is a job? ...oh that must have been awful!! Do you do anything other than mindreading?

I spent years as a close-up magician and still include some of that in my walk around performances. I use a lot of card sleights using double blank cards for mind reading. It's very useful.

Three letters BGT?
I would encourage anyone to go on the show but be ready. Make sure you've thought it all through and know what you want out of it.

Don't go on there and hope for the best. Be ready. Be sure. And go for it!
Do you have any other talents/Jobs/Businesses?
I've had quite a varied working life. Most of it has been in showbiz but with the occasional supporting job on the side. For example I started life as a footballer, on Watford's books until I got released. Then went semi- pro for a while until I decided to be an actor. As an actor I enjoyed several years in plays, on tv, in feature films and also writing, producing and starring in my own film The Shouting Men.

Anything else?
I was in Star Wars (The Phantom Menace), I was a male stripper (in a play) and co-written two sell-out theatre shows - The Billy Joel Songbook (still on tour) and a Tribute to Elvis Presley. I've written songs for other people and have a Christmas song - What A Day - that gets played on the radio every year. One little thing I like to mention is that I wrote one of the jokes that helped Lost Voice Guy win BGT and 250 grand :-)

That's impressive, can you tell us a joke?
I'll tell you someone else's joke. As a young man I wrote to Ronnie Barker and asked him for some words of encouragement to keep in my wallet, for inspiration (as I ventured on the road of writing scripts, plays, books, films etc). He sent me back a signed photo and on the back he'd written - "Here's the first joke I ever wrote - A man finds a magic ring. He rubs it and makes a wish - Make my wife twice as young, twice as beautiful and twice as sexy (enter old, ugly, dishevelled woman) Man jumps for joy, it worked!! It worked!!
I treasure it to this day.

Do you have any questions for me?

Yes, what do you think about me?

Yeah i think your alright... I prefer Keelan but he wasn't available today! I'm joking of course - I think you're a f**king legend and I'm glad you got in touch with me, without sounding cringy you have literally changed my life, I feel more confident in myself and its good to be noticed and be told that I'm good at what I'm doing, I was a bit apprehensive about bringing this comedy side out in me as I wasn't sure how people would take it or react - but you have made me realise how good I could be and encouraged me to push more and to get out there and just go for it, so I'd like to take this
opportunity to thank you for bringing out the best in me and for all the advice and support you give me, plus all the ideas - I am forever and truly grateful.

Mars or Snickers?
Both - look at me!!

Blaine or Brown?
Without Blaine so many of us wouldn't exist.

Penn or Teller?
Teller - I think his skills are incredible.

Burton or Copperfield?
Hmmmm. Tough one. Neither really captured my attention but looking at the way they have aged I think Lance Burton looks more rugged - so I'll go with him.

Red backs or Blue back's?
For years REDS because of gimmicks. But now I use BLUE because I'm older and they seem more distinguished. Having said that my favourite cards are the burgundy DMC Elites.

Now THOSE are playing cards!!!! (I requested the green DMC elites on the card to phone app by the way - you're welcome).

Early bird or night owl?
Is this a Cafe? If so, both!

Tea or coffee?
Tea in the morning - coffee on the motorway.

Staying in or going out?
I love staying home with my wife and kids and I also love going to work. I have found over the years that I struggle at parties etc because I'm so used to performing.
Without anything to hide behind I feel vulnerable. I stand in the corner holding a beer. Even when everyone else has gone home.

The question everyone wants to know the answer to, toilet roll, over or under?
No idea. I have people that do that for me.

My final thoughts - not that you asked - are that I would like to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on you for a moment. I also like to think I have a good eye for talent and entertainment.
I watched one of your performances on Facebook and felt you had a very natural ability to be entertaining. A few months later I saw another video and was struck even more by your manner and natural timing and use of props and tricks. You have a fearless nature. I felt compelled to get in touch and tell you. I'm glad I did. We have good chats and I enjoy watching you take this magic game by the sponge balls and squeeze them hard. I'm looking forward to seeing your journey to glory.
I'm no-one important but I think people should be told when they are good. So I hope you don't mind me saying?

Anyway' my toilet paper needs changing' Phil??

Right away, Sir. Thank you so much Matt, we appreciate your time and I look forward to 3rd of March, if you can't wait till then to see Matt in action then go check out his 1 man show on JANUARY 31st @ The Crazy Coqs Theatre, Piccadilly Circus at 7pm.

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