Elle

**Elle** is a worldwide lifestyle magazine of French origin that focuses on fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Banks did two interviews for their website on 2013.

## Interview #1

She was born Jillian Banks. She goes by BANKS. And it only takes a matter of seconds after queuing up the singer/songwriter's first EP, London, to understand the necessity of that stylization. Her enthralling sound deserves a little more grammatical emphasis than her given name provides—so she pulled a "Madonna" and went with all-caps. This way with words alone should indicate that this girl isn't just making her debut. She's making her DEBUT.
The 25-year-old singer characterizes her music as a hypnotic fusion of dark, indie pop and R&B ("the color of midnight and honest," she described). While it often takes time for new musicians to go international, BANKS—who was born and bred in L.A.—has garnered major notice across the pond as well as here in the States. After she was signed in the U.K., she spent time working on her music in London and fell in love with the city—hence her EP title.

Though her rapidly growing fan base has gone intercontinental, it hasn't sent her into a head spin. She's so grounded, in fact, that on her Facebook page, she lists her phone number (yes, her actual, personal cell phone number), with the friendly invitation: "If you ever want to talk…"

We did, especially after watching her hauntingly ethereal performance in her new video for "This Is What It Feels Like." Even in the midst of mid-tour madness, BANKS obliged, and took a few moments to tell us about girl power, personal style, and her newfound Anglomania.

**What made you decide to go by your last name?**

I have a very feminine voice when I write, a very womanly point of view. My last name feels strong and powerful. To me, it's almost a bit masculine. I like the dichotomy of the two. Two sides perfectly represented within my name. Femininity can be a powerful thing.

**Do you think you'll eventually reach a point where you'll have to stop displaying your personal phone number?**

Maybe. I hope, and I hope not.

**Your EP is called "London," and you are signed in both L.A. and the U.K. Tell us about that duality and your U.K. presence.**

I grew up in L.A., and it will always be a huge part of me, but this year was the first time I spent a real amount of time in London. I fell deeply in love. When I first got there, my mind was yearning for growth and to be inspired. After spending a month there I felt at peace. I have never been around so many like-minded people in my life, people that brought out new colors in my skin.

**Who are your musical influences? If you could collaborate with anyone—past or present—who would it be?**

Fiona Apple and Lauryn Hill are two huge influences for me, and I really want to work with James Blake.

**What other current musical acts are you really into right now, and why?**

James Blake, Jai Paul, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Sohn, Kwabs, Sampha, Lil Silva, and Brandy, always. They all have soul. Deep soul.

**What role does fashion have in your music? Does your performance style veer from your everyday style, or are they similar?**

I love fashion. I like dressing how I feel and my music shows how I feel—they go hand in hand. My performance style is pretty much the same as my every day style.

**Are you drawn more toward L.A., West-Coast style, the more gritty London style, or something in between?**

[It's] my own style. I tend to wear all black. I like feeling sexy, feminine, effortless, and real.

**You're in the middle of your tour. Which city are you most psyched to perform in?**

It's hard to choose, but I'm really excited to play at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

**What's next after that?**

Going straight to London to work on my album with all the people that make me glow.

## Interview #2

One of the new female talents Grimmy profiled in the section was LA electronic soul singer Banks. She’s currently in London so we jumped on the opportunity to quiz the woman who’s name Grimmy wants to ‘scream from the rooftops.’

**Describe yourself in 140 characters or less…**

Honest, sensitive, playful, emotional, passionate.

**Your earliest music memory?**

Driving in the car with my mom listening to Tracy Chapman.

**The first single you bought?**

Probably something by TLC.

**If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life…?**

This question makes me sad and anxious.

**What brands do you wear on stage?**

All black looks by Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang. I like feeling womanly, sexy, powerful, and able to move. These brands have beautiful pieces with soft thin fabrics that I love.

**What is your favourite song to perform?**

It changes every day, today it is Bedroom Wall.

**What beauty products do you swear by?**

I love Malin and Goetz Grapefruit facial cleanser and Decleor Paris aromessence Neroli essential serum. It makes my skin soft and perfectly moisturised.

**Banks’ playlist:**

Spirit Fade by Kwabs – ‘his voice makes my heart pulsate’

No Doubt by Lil Silva (feat. Rosie Lowe) – ‘I’m in love with this song’

Indecision by Sampha - ‘I don’t know how to explain what he does to me’

Forever by Haim – ‘fellow LA natives doing really special things’

Beware by Big Sean (feat. Jhene Aiko and Lil Wayne) – ‘Jhene Aiko has the sexiest voice. I love listening to this song before I go on stage.’

## References

<references>

1. ↑ https://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a18768/banks-music-london-interview/#
2. ↑ https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/celebrity-style/articles/a1910/five-minutes-with-la-singer-banks-nick-grimshaw/