“I always wanted to make history”; so goes the first lyric that Melbourne-via-New-Zealand modern heavy mavericks Banks Arcade penned together, setting the bar for their ambitions about as high as it gets. Fortunately, the future looks bright as can be for the quartet as they fiercely barrel towards the release of their debut full-length, with the announcement today of Future Lovers due out on Friday 29th July via UNFD.
Starting out in Auckland a short number of years ago, Banks Arcade have always been a group hell bent on innovation and ambition, welding elements of hard rock, electro and metalcore into their creative DNA. And while the group’s impending full-length album was born in the midst of a global pandemic, the end result is one completely lacking constraint, reflecting the band’s own personal journey of self discovery while defying expectations; a fact fans will be able to witness with gusto live in action, with a sea of shows and tours imminent for the group, including an appearance at Download Festival in the UK this June, capital city supports alongside Thornhill in July, and 27 regional dates supporting In Hearts Wake starting in August.
With two earlier singles Don’t Start and Smile hinting at what lies in wait this July from Banks Arcade, the group’s latest single Be Someone charms with ambient instrumentals, hip hop hues and intimate soundscapes while vocalist Joshua O’Donnell emphatically pours his heart out. Showcasing a softer yet still hard-hitting side of Banks Arcade, the accompanying music video for Be Someone is a perfectly wintry affair, with O’Donnell alone in a one-take, blue-soaked setting.
Check out ‘Be Someone’ below.
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