Reflecting on their ambitious beginnings out of Auckland just a handful of years ago, O’Donnell shares that the first lyrics Banks Arcade penned together were “I always wanted to make history”. Heard on the single they would eventually title ‘Ambition’, this sentiment has carried through in every highly considered creative move the band has made since. From their compelling visuals and stage presence to their boundary-pushing sound, this history-making urge is evident from all angles of the Banks Arcade camp.
This unshakable sense of vision and resolve has taken the group to new heights on each release. Following their 2018 debut EP Endnote Banks Arcade backed it up with 2020’s Fever Dreams, spawning colossal singles like ‘Sick’ and ‘Drown’ while amassing over 1 Million streams. Snapping all sorts of industry attention in its wake, the five-piece were soon signing deals with Ryan Richards at Future History Management (Holding Absence, Loathe, Sleep Token +), and building a worldwide booking team comprising Select Music (AU/NZ), Sound Talent Group (The Americas) and United Talent Agency (ROW) alongside joining the UNFD camp.
On signing the group for management, Ryan Richards says:
“Future History are delighted to welcome ‘Banks Arcade’ to our management roster, and to be once again working with our good friends at UNFD. With the band’s genre-defying musicality and vision, coupled with their ambition and tenacity, we look forward to building their live profile in Australia and New Zealand for the rest of 2021, before taking Banks Arcade global with the stellar Worldwide team in place from the offset.”
On coming to sign Banks Arcade, UNFD’s Luke Logemann shares:
“Earlier this year, we got an email from producer George Lever telling us about this incredible record he’d just made with a young New Zealand band called Banks Arcade. From the moment we hit play on their new music, everyone at the label fell in love. We managed to spend some great time with the band and see their first Australian show earlier this year. This is a band pushing musical boundaries and pouring themselves into their lyrics and art, and we can’t wait to share their music with the world.”
‘Don’t Start’ is out now via UNFD. Stay tuned for the debut album from Banks Arcade in 2022.
BANKS ARCADE IS:
Joshua O’Donnell (vocals / guitar)
Jason Meadows (guitar)
Kenny Kemsley (keyboards)
Harlan Allen-Jones (bass)
James Feekes (drums) |