At Home with Tank & The Bangas

2020 “Best New Artist” Grammy nominee, Tank and The Bangas formed in 2011 and hit their stride in 2017 after winning NPRʻs Tiny Desk Concert competition. The bandʻs submission has been viewed 1.2 million times; their official NPR performance has 11 million views. The band began touring the world and making appearances at festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Newport Jazz Festival. The bandʻs new EP, Friend Goals, released November 20th with a bang. The six track project features 11 artists including Duckwrth, CHIKA, and Jaime Woods.

​

I got to talk to talk to the band about their influences and see their relationship in full swing:

​

Who do you (all) see as modern influences for the band?

Anderson .Paak, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Quincey Jonesʻ mindset—the mindset that understands how to communicate what theyʻre hearing and what they want—like the Dr. Dres of today. Hans Zimmer, Kendrick Lamar, DJ Jazzy Jeff is a big influence with his production and his spinning selection. Jacob Collier, Corey Baker, a Baltimore bass player, Thaddeus Tribbet, Tye Tribbet.

I look up to these people not only for their production but also being really good live. Anderson .Paak is not only this dope ass person but he’s also a performer; he plays live drums, plays live keys, sings, and does it all the same time; that’s what I want to be, the all-around total package. That’s what we aspire to be; we aspire to be this amazing live recording and replicate that in a performance because be used to be like that; people used to be fucking ice cold and we are that.—Albert

 

The band showed their true colors and the strength of their friendship as they began shouting over each other to name themselves and the other members with silly nicknames. The chaos that ensued from that moment was magical and truly showed me Friend Goals.

 

Friend Goals is out now on all streaming platforms!

To listen to a playlist featuring Tank & the Bangas and their modern influences* click the player on the right of the page!

 

~Reagan Thornley

*Some artists could not be found on Spotify