Cookie Baker is an incredible singer-songwriter and I am bloody thrilled to have Cookie as my special guest this week. Welcome to Episode 25, we are still alive! Happy quarter century to us. Cookie Baker has shared stages with many esteemed Australian artists, including Augie March, Kate Miller-Heidke, Ben Lee, Angie Hart (Frente!, a previous guest on this show, check out her episode here), Mick Thomas (Weddings, Parties, Anything), Little Birdy, and The Audreys. Her album will be released in 2019 following the release of three singles, Little Engine (which has an amazing video!), The Summer (with Tim Rogers) and Don't Start A Fight.Cookie begins by telling me about her upbringing in rural South Australia, performing concerts to her family on the front veranda through her Young Talent Team microphone. Fast forward to 2019 and now Cookie helps to run an artist's residency with her family on a neighbouring property called the Ballara Art & Lifestyle Retreat - Artist Residency Program.Once a year for the past 5 years Cookie travels to California to mentor with the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp, which reminded me of Melbourne's own Rock and Roll High School which began in 1995 right here on Easey Street, Collingwood! The very same street where More Than A Whelan is recorded every week at Castaway Studios! Rock and High School was visited by many alt rock luminaries including L7, Bikini Kill, Babes in Toyland, Sonic Youth and The Breeders. You can read about its amazing history and achievements here.I also ask Cookie about If You See Her, Say Hello, a Melbourne based all women choir collective founded in 2015 by Cookie. I've been lucky enough to see several performances by this collective, all of them stunning. Including this 2016 show as part of the Brunswick Music Festival, where you can see Cookie fronting the choir herself. At the same show Gretta Ray performed her original song Blank White Canvas with the choir. Gretta has gone on to huge things since then, recently performing on stage at Rod Laver.Cookie Baker's upcoming full length album has been slow cooking over the last ten years. A digital only release is slated for mid year with a limited edition vinyl lp coming out in late 2019. To keep up with all things Cookie Baker keep an eye on her website and follow her on Instagram.I ask Cookie about her thoughts on the #metoo movement's impact on the Australian music industry, in light of recent news of Ryan Adams bad behaviour.*CLARIFICATION: I say that up until now the #metoo movement 'hadn't involved musicians much'. What I actually meant to say was 'high profile, internationally known musicians.' It has in fact already involved many local and international musicians. And rightly so.WHELAN & STEALIN'I read a poem mysteriously sent to my address with a beautiful leaf in the envelope, by sender unknown! But I believe was written according to the prompt The Journey of a Leaf by Ag. If you would like to see a picture of this poem and a very beautiful leaf head to the More Than A Whelan Facebook or Instagram pages. And please like or follow us or rate and review us while you do!I also read work from an upcoming guest on More Than A Whelan, Ruth McIver. I read an excerpt from her book The Sunset Club. Really looking forward to having Ruth on the show!Cookie Baker weighs in also for Whelan and Stealin' with a stunning cover of Glory Box by Portishead.This week I respond to the prompt 'Detroit' by Shane Jesse Christmass by writing a poem about... Detroit. Thanks Shane! You are our official More Than A Whelan Muse of the Week! You'll be getting some sweet MTAW merch coming your way care of our good friends at Luxe Country.And that's a wrap for Episode 25! Please visit our Luxe Country store for exclusive More Than A Whelan merchandise. Thanks to their generosity proceeds from their sales go back into keeping us alive. Please also consider liking, following and rating us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Whelan, out.