Music Spotlight: BAYNK

Singer-songwriter, producer + multi-instrumentalist Jock Nowell-Usticke, under the moniker BAYNK, released his sophomore EP Someone’s EP II last month + a stunning music video for the track go with u last week. The 7-track EP is a beautiful soundscape of chill electronica + vibrant, dancey melodies. We particularly can’t get enough of Water + go with u. BAYNK has collabed with numerous musical favorites like Shallou, Glades + NÏKA—just to name a few—and will be brining his energy to the stage this festival season at Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Hard Summer + Life Is Beautiful. We chatted with BAYNK all about the EP + go with u video. Don’t mind us while we watch it on a loop…

photo by Julia Lowe

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your latest release Someone’s EP II! We love it so much. Can you tell us about the EP?
BAYNK: Thank you! There’s not a lot to tell honestly. It took me about a year to write. The songs were written half in London & the other half in LA, and all of them were written for someone hence the name of the EP.

AM: How does it compare and/or relate to Someone’s EP I?
B: Everything on EP I was written for someone, as well, but from the perspective of not having a partner. The songs from that era were about longing and the idea that even if there was someone out the who was perfect, would I even get the chance to meet them? EP II was written with a specific person in mind.

AM: Is there a track off the EP that you’d say you resonate with most?
B: go with u is the closest to my heart, as it’s the one song on the EP with a full vocal by moi. I think I love the production on INT. II the most. It changes every couple of days, but right now that’s where it’s at.

AM: You're really involved with creating your own visuals, and we love the use of color and minimalism in all of your cover art. How do you think they complement your sound?
B: I think they’re sort of one and the same.The music is simple and the art reflects that. Less is more and so forth.

AM: Your music video for go with u is so stunning! What’s the story behind the video?
B: Very kind of you. Myself and Spencer Graves, a good friend and creative guide on most things I do, went through so many ideas and just when it seemed like we’d have to outsource some of the creative, Spencer just said, ‘we should make a glass box’. The whole idea just stemmed from that, and we polished all the finer details out together. The songs about lust and reaching for something that isn’t quite realistic, so the concept just slotted in perfectly with the visual.

AM: We love the wilderness setting. Where did you film and what was the process like?
B: We filmed in some foothills just north of Altadena, California. The process was so hectic. It was supposed to be a two day shoot, but the cube fell off the truck on the Monday and snapped in half, so we had to rush to weld it back together and scramble to shoot everything on the Tuesday. Everything worked out perfectly in the end thankfully.

AM: We notice the box frame structure is a consistent element in your live performances, as well as this video. What’s the inspiration behind that?
B: Subconsciously, it’s become like a safe place for performance and expression. That sounds a little bit airy fairy, but it’s the truth. Like you would have a frame on a TV or a piece of art—a guide to show the viewer where to look.

AM: You have tons of noteworthy collabs (we love Shallou + Glades)! Who’s a dream collaborator you haven’t worked with yet?
B: Both great people/groups. There’s a lot of people, and again it changes everyday, but right now probably The 1975.

BAYNK performing at Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles // February 23, 2019

AM: We caught your set at The Teragram back in February and loved all the energy (+ saxophone) you brought to the stage. Do you have a favorite track to play live?
B: I really enjoy singing Be In Love. It’s just the right tempo for dancing, and the beat switches up enough to still be interesting. Also love playing saxophone over this incredible instrumental track Who You Are by KAASI.

AM: What can we expect to see at your upcoming festival sets?
B: More singing and more dancing.

AM: What other musicians are you currently listening to?
B: Toro y Moi a fair amount. No Rome, as well.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
B: Something different hopefully.

// listen to Someone’s EP II:

// Listen to more BAYNK on Spotify.