BANKS | The Music Ninja

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 3]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - December 1, 2013

It’s Sunday again, meaning we’re finally at the end of a long and (hopefully fulfilling) holiday weekend. With your bellies full of Turkey, and your credit cards maxed out from Black Friday, we here at The Music Ninja would like to give you one more thing to be thankful for. This week’s offering is sweeter than the whipped cream on that final slice of pumpkin pie, because it features some truly special selections. From familiar faces like Erykah Badu, BANKS, JMSN & Alina Baraz to newcomers like Chiara, Love Mansuy, Audego & Allie, you’re guaranteed to find something to keep your spirits up. Grab whatever leftovers you may have out of your fridge, pile them high on a huge plate, and let the sweet melodies lull you into a food induced coma.

’RC & The Gritz – Leave Me Alone (feat. Erykah Badu)’

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’Audego – Liar’

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’Allie – Rlctnt Hstlr’

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’Ophelia Cache – Leaving London (prod. by The Kickdrums)’

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’JMSN – The One (Stwo Remix)’

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’Nick Nikon – Put It On Me’

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’Love Mansuy – White Heaven’

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’BANKS – What You Need (The Weeknd Cover)’

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’Sunni Colòn
blackMadonna (prod. Sunni Colòn)’

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’Johnny Rain – Isis’

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’Erik Hassle – Talk About It (SAINT PEPSI Remix)’

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’Chiara – Lost’

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’Tinashe – Just A Taste’

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’Alus – Relapse’

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’Sunni Colòn
Jezebel (prod. Sunni Colòn)’

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’Chiara – Be In The Moment’

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’Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Make You Feel’

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’TOM ASPAUL – PIONEER FT. FTSE’

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’Jo Def – Luh Luv (‘Steps’ Out Now via Soulection.bandcamp.com)’

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’b a y o u – everybodysgottalearn’

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’khadisma – hi,howyadoin’

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’Howard Ivans – “Pillows”‘

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[Event Review] The Weeknd, BANKS, & Anna Lunoe – The Chicago Theatre 10/13-10/14

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - October 24, 2013

(Photo Credit: Kyle Garcia)

’The Weeknd – Pretty’

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’BANKS – Change (Prod. By Tim Anderson)’

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’Anna Lunoe – Breathe’

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3 artists. 2 nights. 7,200 minds blown. That would be the simplest way to sum up my experience in Kiss Land. With a lineup featuring The Weeknd, BANKS, and Anna Lunoe, I was understandably excited the whole day leading up to the event. The first thing that popped into my head as I strolled up to the venue and read the names on the glowing marquee, was that this felt all too surreal. Two years ago, I could’ve never imagined that my first show at the legendary Chicago Theatre would be by The Weeknd. Not only that, but the fact that he was headlining two sold-out back-to-back nights was a true testament to how far he’s come in such a short period.

Walking in, you could immediately feel the energy in the air. There’s always excitement before any show, but this night just felt different in many ways. Maybe it was because of all the weed smoke, maybe it was the crowded space in The Chicago Theatre lobby, or maybe everyone was just as curious about what to expect as I was. Luckily, we had Anna Lunoe to help carry us through each painfully slow minute that ticked by. While I personally didn’t know much about Lunoe coming into the show, I was pleasantly surprised by her set. She’s not your traditional DJ by any means, and her music certainly reflected that, as she was able to get the crowd pumped up with a unique mix of tracks that varied wildly between Cashmere Cat, Lil B, and even some of her own material.

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[Video] BANKS – This Is What It Feels Like

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - September 26, 2013

BANKS
This Is What It Feels Like (Prod. Lil Silva & Jamie Woon)

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When we first heard this single from BANKS, we mentioned just how truly eerie the track was. It’s only fitting then that its accompanying visuals are equally as mysterious. The video begins ominously, with dark clouds looming overhead as raindrops begin to gently fall against the windows of an empty house. Things only get darker from there, as the storm begins to pick up, the shadows soon take over, and objects start to move on their own. All the while, the seductive crooner dances alone inside and gazes out the window longingly, seemingly reflecting on the past and hoping for a new future. In the end however, things begin to look brighter, as the clouds finally part and we’re treated with a scenic view of a mountainous landscape.

Check out the mesmerizing visuals below, and make sure to grab yourself a copy of BANKS’s London EP if you haven’t already.

[Post-Soul] BANKS – Bedroom Wall (Prod. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - September 11, 2013

BANKS
Bedroom Wall (Prod. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)

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If BANKS and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs decided to record an entire project together, I would not complain. After dropping her outstanding LONDON EP yesterday, the LA songstress comes through with one of the project’s standouts, “Bedroom Wall.” As the title suggests, the track is meant to be heard in a very specific space, and at a specific time even. It’s the type of song that you unwind to at the end of a late night, where you find yourself lost in the willowy, atmospheric production as BANKS guides you along with her delicate, velvety vocals. Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times I found myself closing my eyes and zoning out as I wrote this (that also might have to do with my sleep deprivation, but I’d like to believe otherwise).

If this single doesn’t finally convince you to grab a copy of BANKS’ LONDON EP, then I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe it’s time to invest in some new headphones, because you’re definitely missing out on something special.

[NEW] BANKS – This Is What It Feels Like (Prod. Lil Silva & Jamie Woon)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - September 10, 2013

BANKS
This Is What It Feels Like (Prod. Lil Silva & Jamie Woon)

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Ever since BANKS emerged earlier this year, she’s been on constant rotation around the ~~top secret~~ TMN offices. “This Is What It Feels Like” represents yet another spectacular hit to add to the LA native’s repertoire. Upon pressing play, the eerie intro instantly evokes images of a spaceship touching down on Earth for the first time, almost as if affirming BANKS’s arrival onto the scene. The groaning bass and ethereal synths from Lil Silva and Jamie Woon are soon overtaken by crisp and ruminating vocals, all of which help the single achieve a sound that is both menacing and exhilarating at the same time

After playing the “Waiting Game” for much too long, we finally have our hands on BANKS’ LONDON EP and are absolutely in love with it. Make sure to grab yourself a copy on iTunes, and look out for BANKS in your city as she tours with The Weeknd.

[Ambient] BANKS – Waiting Game (Prod. SOHN)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - August 6, 2013

BANKS
WAITING GAME (Prod. By SOHN)

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BANKS may only have four songs to her name, but the L.A. native has already shown a tremendous amount of versatility in her music. “Waiting Game” might just be the largest departure from what we’ve heard so far from the young crooner. Her sultry, yet graceful vocals trickle over a medley of menacing synths, brooding percussion and balmy piano riffs. Through this combination, the song is able to establish an atmosphere that is altogether haunting, pensive, and evocative, which helps her fit in perfectly with new tourmate, The Weeknd. We’re not sure how much longer we’ll have to play the “Waiting Game” for BANKS’ debut album, but we’re expecting it to drop soon.

[Pop/R&B] BANKS – Warm Water (Prod. By Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 13, 2013

Banks
Warm Water (Prod. By Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)

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Los Angeles based R&B/pop-songstress BANKS got us out of bed on the right foot early this Monday morning by gracing our ears with her newest single “Warm Water”, produced by one of the most musically educated and progressive minds within the electronic community, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. “Warm Water” is a dreamy, romantic slice of pop music, placing BANKS’ lusty, soulful refrain front and center over a minimally focused R&B track. With the recent success of hyper-expressive vocalists like Frank Ocean, Rhye and Jessie Ware being displayed on every major taste-making outlet on the web, it seems BANKS is arriving at the perfect moment in time for her sound to be appreciated. The impending single is getting set to to release on May 27 through London’s Good Years Recordings, so have an early listen to “Warm Water”, and you will quickly find out how we were so moved by such simple instrumentation.