BASEILLE RICHARDSON

A first-generation local of Flushing, Queens, Baseille grew up surrounded by the musical influences of Willikies, Antigua—a tiny Caribbean town approximately 1700 miles away. Infused with the essence of movement, his style incorporates the soul, funk, and groove qualities of Soca, the Antiguan dance genre short for “Soul of Calypso,” and the offbeat reggae rhythms of African folk music. These global elements form the ever-shifting base of Night Coast’s sound, as Baseille’s figures range from dissonant turbulence to existential tranquility. An abstract thinker, Baseille finds joy in the concepting stage of composition, where ideas are free to move and change with the passing moment. It’s no small surprise that these sessions are a key component of Night Coast’s offbeat, mercurial style.

A core member since 2012, Baseille joined the band when they were still known as Ode to No One. While the music and members have since changed, Baseille’s passion for collaboration and connection continue to flourish under the pressures of creative life in the city. With the release of new Night Coast music, Baseille hopes to give listeners a sense of freedom and appreciation for their own inherent genius. “It’s time to leave the day-to-day behind,” he says, “and remember that there is more to be seen.”

Why music? “Music is the spice of life for me. Like anyone else, I’ve had my struggles with finances, anxiety, and self-doubt. Through all of my pursuits and challenges, I always found myself falling back to music—it’s a constant in my life, like a heartbeat that keeps me alive. Music is also my way of showing the world what’s going on inside my head, which I can’t put into words but can express instrumentally. It’s an expression of my inner world, which I’m otherwise reserved to share. The movement of music feels a lot like freedom—and I value freedom above all else.”

Loves: Video games, animation, comic art, poetry. Fascinated by: Aliens, Buddhist and Taoist religions, and the general nature of existence.

Favorite Night Coast Song: Fire in My Shoes