Tim Coakley
A native of Albany, New York, Tim Coakley is a songwriter, percussionist, and self-described
“comedy junkie.” Growing up he was enthralled by the energetic and sporadic style of drummers
like Steve Jordan, Ash Soan, and Dave Ellis, which inspired him to start writing his own music. Tim’s
talent led him to Boston’s Berklee College of Music, where he studied with the world’s best
instructors and performed in numerous bands as a live and session drummer.
Now a professional drummer, mixer, and master engineer with over 15 years of experience, Tim
records and produces original music in his Adirondack studio and regularly performs in New York City. He joined Night Coast in 2019 and quickly became an integral member of the band.
“Night Coast has a unique sound that blends retro synths with current but very personal songwriting,”
says Tim. “There’s a larger message that deals with everything from heartbreak, diversity, and
showing your true self. As soon as I heard Night Coast’s music, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
Why Music?
I just love the way it makes me feel. When I’m writing or playing and hearing a song come together,
it gives me a sense of purpose. When I’m not creating music or haven’t in a while, I feel low. It seems
to be vital to my spirit. I love creating something I can envision people vibing out to at a bar or
nightclub. It’s an amazing thing to bring people together in that way.
Loves: I’m a comedy junkie, so I love comedian podcasts and stand-up specials. I’m also obsessed
with space. I own a telescope and love locating Saturn and Jupiter. It blows my mind.
Favorite Night Coast Song: “New Love.” It’s a simple drum part but I remember hearing the song
for the first time in rehearsal and imagining all the small touches I could bring to it. I love locking in
with the bassline on the choruses. It’s such a cool and grooving song.
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Q&A
Tell me a little about your background. Where are you from, and where do you live now?
I am from Albany, NY about 3 hours outside of NYC. I currently still live there. I’ve been playing music
since I was 12 years old which lead me to study it at Berklee College of Music. I ended up in NYC shortly
after college to pursue music further.
Where is your family from? Do you think that your background is integral to your individual sound
or your contribution to the Night Coast?
My family is from Albany, NY as well. I do believe my background plays a part in what I bring to Night
Coast. Most of my background and inspiration is derived from the Pop Punk scene growing up. Which
usually provides an energetic & sporadic drum style.
How and when did you become part of the band, and what made you want to join?
I became part of the band Fall 2019. I learned of Night Coast from a co-worker who said they were
looking for a drummer. I was new to NYC and looking for a group. As soon as I heard “Every Quarter”
and saw the band’s image, I wanted to be a part of it. The music sounded energetic and catchy and
that’s what I like playing.
When did you start getting serious about music as a lifestyle/gratifying process as opposed to a
hobby?
I think in High School it departed from being a hobby. It was all I thought about. I began writing songs
at 14 and that was a departure from being a hobby too. I think once I began investing myself lyrically
into a project, it became like a drug.
What are some challenges you’ve experienced along your journey that have either caused you to
hesitate about pursuing music as a career, or reinforced the importance of music as a central part of
your life? I realize this is a bit personal, but things like family, finances, relationships, and general
apprehension are both roadblocks and catalysts in every musician’s life. I won’t go too much into
detail but it’s important that you don’t sugarcoat the actual work that goes into this project; the
time, energy, and resources it requires to make art that’s worth putting out into the world.
I’ve experienced many mental roadblocks. I’ve always had a lot of support from family and friends. But
it’s easy to look at a “normal” career and want to mirror it to please others. It’s been a trap for me
though. I think a turning point for me was having a full time job (especially one that had nothing to do
with music/sound). It was a prison for me and I vowed, I’d rather suffer as a struggling musician than
suffer trying to fit somewhere I do not. Pick your path because you can't avoid suffering. Since I’ve
done that, my mental health has improved and I feel more purposeful. There’s also so many artists who
compare and despair; I take comfort in confiding with them. No artist/musician is alone with that.
We’re here for each other.
What philosophies, idiosyncrasies, or personal traits do you bring to Night Coast?
I’m a dreamer so I hope I bring a sense of drive and encouragement to Night Coast. Also, I just love
catchy music and believe I bring good energy with me when we’re playing.
In the same vein, what are your passions, interests, or unique quirks outside of music?
I’m a comedy junky so I love comedian podcasts and stand up specials. I’m also obsessed with space. I
own a telescope and love locating Saturn and Jupiter. It blows my mind.
Name a few artists who’ve inspired you and helped to shape your sound. Who are your musical
heroes? Can be specific to your instrument or not.
A few drummer heroes are; Steve Jordan, Ash Soan, Dave Elitch. Bands and artists; Phoenix, The
Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, The 1975, etc.. So many.
What do you love about music, and can you describe its meaning in your life as well as in larger
cultural movements and discourse? ie. Music is an expression of identity, or a universal language
that communicates outside the confines of dialect, location, class, etc. and what that means to you as
an artist.
I just love the way it makes me feel. If it’s good (to me), it gives me chills. I’m not sure how to describe
it, but when I’m writing or playing and hearing a song come together, it gives me a sense of purpose.
When I’m not creating music or haven’t in awhile, I feel low. It seems to be vital to my spirit. It is the
universal language and I love creating something I can envision people vibing out to at a bar or
nightclub. That’s an amazing thing to bring people together in that way.
What’s your favorite Night Coast song (must be new or yet-to-be released!) and what makes you
most proud of your performance?
Probably “New Love” (right now). It’s a simple drum part but I remember hearing the song in
rehearsal and hearing all the small touches I could bring to it. I love locking in with Baseille on the
choruses. It’s such a cool and grooving song.
What’s the best part of making music with Night Coast?
Concepting/Composing/Recording/Performing?
I love Composing and Recording with Night Coast. Hearing a new song in rehearsal and adding my
ideas behind the kit is so gratifying. Also, the process of hearing each mix of the song getting better
and better is great.
Where do you personally see yourself going as a musician (please be optimistic!)
I see myself continuing on this path for life. I hope to continue playing live, but later in life I would love
to produce and develop artists more. I always want to help artists. Music is a community where
everyone has different skill levels and it’s so gratifying to help each other.
Consider the influences that come through in this music—elements of nostalgia drawing on the
sounds of the late 90’s and 00’s, blended with more experimental notions that point to the future.
What would you say is the band’s niche in the current musical environment? Who is your desired
audience, and what’s the message you want to share with your audience?
To me, Nightcoast has a unique sound that incorporates retro synths and current but very personal
songwriting. Our audience is anyone who wants to feel understood while being satisfied with infectious
melodies. I think there’s a large message that deals with everything from heartbreak, diversity, and
breaking free from struggles and showing yourself. It’s very uplifting and refreshing.
Why should people listen to Night Coast? For the message, the mission, the overall vibe? When you
think of people listening to this music, where do you see them—on the train, getting ready for a
night out, driving and daydreaming (or nightdreaming, perhaps)… describe the atmosphere you
want to create, and how the overarching themes of escapism, suspension of reality, and community
combine to bring that atmosphere into being, regardless of place and time.
I think all three are important but I think the overall vibe is #1. I envision people listening to this at a
festival or a nightclub. A place people can commune and lose themselves for the duration of a song. I
envion the atmosphere that’s dark, moody, but welcoming. I’d love to see Night Coast set that mood for
people and see how they react. It’s an amazing thing to be playing for an audience and see their heads
start nodding. Creating/being a part of an environment that connects people in a time where things
feel so divided is important now.