Victoria, BC four-piece The Bankes Brothers—brothers Nelson and Morgan Bankes on vocals and guitar, lead guitarist Carson Cleaver, and drummer Gray Oxley—sound like the youthful high of a late-night romance and the blissful stagger home the next morning. The sum of their forthcoming In Waves EP’s parts is something fresh, exciting, and uniquely vibrant within the current sea of sleepy vocals and sedated guitar tones.
Following up on the previously shared title track, “Things I’ll Never Learn” hears the band reflecting on broken hearts from relationships that they just weren’t suited for. The new single speaks loud and clear to that age old problem of being drawn time and time again to entanglements of the heart that just shouldn’t be.
What can you share with readers about your new project?
The EP as a whole is a few years in the making at this point. COVID shot us in the foot as far as getting the ball rolling with this one, so we are super happy to finally be putting this out. Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat, Mounties, etc.)produced this, and was such a vital asset in making it all come together finally. We’ve already done our first national tour of these songs across Canada this past spring, and it went over SUPER well. It feels like it’s all coming together so much better than if we had jumped the gun on it two years ago. We have more tunes in the works already, and the making of this project got us to a level we weren’t at going into it. So it doesn’t stop here!
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
Compared to the first single, it’s a shift in tone for sure. A lot more care-free, happy, and upbeat, but also meanwhile talking about similar things (love, etc.) I think this one is just more of a comical perspective of having someone way outta your league, and how lucky you are to be with them.
What about this single makes you most proud?
This song came together fairly quickly before we went to record it, and we felt like it was the first in a new style of writing we hadn’t tried before!
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
We wanted to show versatility, and lean into nostalgic sounds for people. Definitely drawing from our ‘new wave’ influences with this one haha
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
The fun we have as a group, whenever we have a new idea, is probably one of the best feelings in the world. We feed off of each other, and we just have such a good time in the process of it.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
Personally, I’d love for us to be 4 little flies on the wall, just watching The Beach Boys and the Wrecking Crew make ‘Pet Sounds’. And THEN I’d love to be a band in 1970, and hire the Wrecking Crew for our next record. That, or James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem. Or gather all of those people into one room and just see how it all plays out.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
‘Paul Simon – Graceland’ automatically plays in my car every time I turn it on, so probably that. I have no complaints. ‘Graceland’ is probably one of the best albums of all time
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
We’re pretty active on our instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Every music announcement, or show announcement flows through there! Follow us and see what we’re up to!
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Thank you for listening! Glad you’re enjoying it so far, there’s more to come very very very soon.
