New Orleans band Tank and The Bangas may have released their first album, Think Tank, four years ago, but 2017 will be the year they make it big. Just a few days ago, they were announced as the winners of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, rising to the top out of 6,000 entrants. The annual contest accepts video submissions from unsigned music groups and brings the winners to the NPR offices to film a Tiny Desk video. After announcing Tank and The Bangas as the 2017 winners, NPR’s Robin Hilton described the performance as “dynamic, joyful, and infectious,” and for good reason — there’s never a dull moment in the video. Singer-songwriter and contest judge Anthony Hamilton’s response to the performance sums up Tank and The Bangas quite well: “WOW!”
Lead singer Tarriona Tank Bell’s stunning vocals and her band’s jazz and funk grooves combine for a wildly original sound. Think Tank is an eclectic mix of spoken-word tracks, like “Rollercoasters” and “Human,” alongside more traditional R&B songs. Their 2014 release, The Big Bang Theory: Live at Gasa Gasa, takes Think Tank to the next new level, providing some insight into the magic of their live performances.
Is there anything this band can’t do? Look out for Tank and The Bangas’ official Tiny Desk video in the near future, as well as the dates of their upcoming national tour.
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