As summer comes to a close, Toronto’s Virginia To Vegas (Derik Baker) has crafted the perfect soundtrack to one of the year’s least favorite transitions. Aptly titled “this sucks,” Baker’s newest single is available everywhere today, features Canada’s #1 most played female voice in country music (2020) MacKenzie Porter and promises to quickly become a fan favorite. 

Following Baker’s remarkable success in 2020 — he was the second most played Canadian artist at radio (behind the Weeknd) with over 335 Million streams, released two EPs and became a 4X PLATINUM-selling artist — “this sucks” was written by the JUNO-nominated, Toronto-native as a duet and when Baker came across Porter while listening to the radio in his car, the idea for this collaboration came together. “I remember driving from my house to the grocery store and hearing MacKenzie’s song on the radio,” said Baker. “At that moment I just knew it would be perfect to have her join me as a featured artist on the track.” 

Telling the story of running into an ex at a party and seeing them happy with someone else, “this sucks” is driven with a quintessential pop beat but feels melancholy at its core. “‘this sucks’ is a song about what seeing an ex with someone else does to you,” explained Baker. “You’re happy for them because you once loved them, but the only words you can find to explain how you’re feeling are ‘Wow, this really sucks right now.’”

LISTEN TO "THIS SUCKS” HERE NOW

Produced by Mike Wise (Ellie Goulding, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Jamie Blunt) the single is anticipated to continue Baker’s incredible career to date. Marking Baker’s fifth single in just over a year, “this sucks” is available as of today on all streaming platforms and gave Porter and Baker the opportunity to meet for the first time earlier this summer at the track’s official video shoot. Filmed in Toronto, the 70s-themed, dating show parody perfectly captures the heartache of being left behind.

WATCH “THIS SUCKS" OFFICIAL VIDEO NOW

With plans to return to the stage later this year, fans can also anticipate new music from Virginia To Vegas in the coming months. Continuously topping the Canadian radio charts with a string of Top 10 hits including “Just Friends,” “betterman,” “Selfish,” “Lights Out,” and “We Are Stars (Ft Alyssa Reid),” Baker has definitely proven himself deserving of all of his incredible accolades.

KEEP UP WITH MACKENZIE PORTER
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

ABOUT MACKENZIE PORTER:
Singer-songwriter MacKenzie Porter is a rising Country talent whose sound knows no borders. Signed to Big Loud Records, Porter is surging now with headline-making “Thinking ‘Bout You” collaboration with Dustin Lynch at Country radio, plus her own DRINKIN’ SONGS: THE COLLECTION – an arsenal of two years’ worth of new music produced by Joey Moi. Since moving to Nashville in 2014 from her native Canada, she’s developed a radiant Country style which threads the needle between traditional heart and modern energy, often collaborating with songwriting mainstays like Nicolle Galyon, Craig Wiseman, Natalie Hemby, and Tommy English. Her "mesmerizing vocals and hook-driven songs" (Billboard) have sparked a list of headline-worthy accolades, including multiple Canadian Country Music Award nominations – 4X Female Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Fans' Choice – as well as 2021 and 2015 JUNO Award nominations, both for Country Album of the Year. Making her mark, Porter became the first female artist to have three back-to-back #1 singles at Canadian Country radio in 22 years with “About You,” “These Days” and “Seeing Other People” in early 2020, following Shania Twain in 1998. Porter also earned her first crossover Top 10 at Canadian Pop radio – a first since 2003 for a Canadian Country artist – with "These Days (Remix)," and joined CMT’s elite sisterhood of tastemakers and trailblazers as one of their Next Women of Country class of 2021. The Pandora 2021 Country Artist to Watch has toured extensively on her own, also sharing stages with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton and Dallas Smith, and co-starred in the Netflix series, Travelers.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TO VEGAS:
Virginia to Vegas, aka Derik Baker, is an American-born Canadian singer-songwriter. After being discovered on YouTube, Baker was signed to Wax Records and released his first single “We Are Stars” in 2014. Baker is best known for his indie-pop choruses and sticky electronic melodies, which have awarded him critical acclaim and several platinum certifications. In 2018, Baker expanded his reach internationally, co-writing the single “IDWK” with blackbear and DVBBS. Baker's 2019 summer hit, “Just Friends” saw Virginia to Vegas reach new heights, garnering a top 3 chart position at Canadian radio, while his most recent single “betterman” marked the fifth top 10 single of his career. With the release of his new EP don’t wake me, i’m dreaming Virginia to Vegas invites fans into a whimsical utopia of dreamy guitar licks and warm lyrics.

A truly independent artist with a clear vision of what he wants sonically, visually and emotionally, Baker has shared the stage with the likes of Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, Backstreet Boys, Kelly Clarkson, Bryce Vine, Maroon 5, Fifth Harmony, Alessia Cara, Pitbull, Imagine Dragons and Marianas Trench. Staying true to himself, Baker continues to be recognized for his hard work, receiving praise from artists such as Taylor Swift and Julia Micheals.