Young Baptist

Young Baptist are a four piece rock band based in Auckland.

The group has its roots in late 2017 as a project formed by singer and guitarist Hugh Collins. Having been part of several bands as a guitarist, Hugh was keen to front a band that had an emphasis on lush and dreamy guitar tones. Debut single Ice Cold Sensation was released in early 2019. However due to a range of career and pandemic related excuses, the project ended up on the backburner for several years.

It wasn’t until mid 2024 that Hugh finally found a fresh surge of inspiration, with the band going on to officially form later that year. Hugh was joined by Emlyn Williams on Drums (The Echo Ohs, Sex Pest), Tim Burrows on lead guitar (Mice on Stilts, Outrun the Buffalo) and Nico Fitzpatrick on bass (Toldeo Springs, Outrun the Buffalo).

With several Auckland shows now under their belt, the boys are currently working towards their debut EP.

Young Baptist have a range of influences including The Verve (in particular the A Storm in Heaven record), Type O Negative, Beach House, Prince, The Smiths, The Dandy Warhols, The Smashing Pumpkins, Led Zeppelin, Torche, Nirvana, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, My Bloody Valentine, The War on Drugs, Tom Petty and Soundgarden.