The latest EP from Banksia, entitled ‘Tala’, has been released on the artist’s label Ordinary Pleasures. The music is a fusion of Banksia’s diverse musical and geographical influences, with a mix of electronica, house, techno, jazz, disco, soul, and classical elements, conjuring up memories of growing up in Zambia in the wood and metal percussive sounds mixed with the experiences of his later life in both Manchester and San Francisco. Listeners can expect to hear hypnotic repetitions of melodies, metallic chords, and vocal calls, all underpinned by marimba, mbira, and kalimba instruments.
Banksia explained that some of the inspiration behind the EP came from his immersion in the UK’s underground music scene, particularly in Manchester and Hackney, which infused his sound with an innovative spirit that he previously hadn’t experienced. His experience of clubs like Corsica Studios, Fabric, Phonox, The Village Underground and time spent at his friend’s studio and walking around Hackney helped shape the sound of ‘Tala’. Banksia’s goal was to create an EP that paid homage to the underground music he grew up with.
The EP comprises two tracks: “Sonore” and “Tenebrae”. Banksia described “Sonore” as an attempt to reflect his passion for the open formats of music and to push his sound boundaries. Meanwhile, “Tenebrae” aims to capture the energy of San Francisco’s underground scenes. He said his inspirations are artists including Floating Points, Four Tet, Actress, Jessy Lanza, TSHA, and Avalon Emerson, among others.
‘Tala’ is out now on Ordinary Pleasures, and listeners can check it out either on the label’s official website or on Spotify.
Niamh Ingram, Mixmag’s Weekend Editor, covered the release. Follow her on Instagram
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