LIANA BANKS IS READY TO DOMINATE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
The powerful thing about songwriters that can sing themselves is that they have been in the background creating some of the best songs you’ve ever heard without being in the limelight themselves. As we live through this current music renaissance of songwriters stepping into the limelight, we want to introduce you all to Liana Banks. Keep reading to learn all about her and how she plans on dominating the music industry!
What was your introduction into the music industry?
I was 17, in my freshman year of college & got asked if I’d be down to sell 2 songs from my catalog. Everything I was writing at the time was super personal and intended for me to release. I had never even considered selling any of them, so I said No. They threw a price at me that (as a struggling college kid), I couldn’t turn down.
It made sense ( & cent$).. plus I still needed to buy my books for my business management class, accounting class and figure out how I was going to pay next semesters tuition. That was when I realized I could make a living for myself in the music industry outside of my own artistry.
How did you end up in studio sessions with famous producers at such a young age?
I would post myself performing songs I’d written (usually on piano or guitar) and say things like: “ I wish I had a dope producer to finish this with me” in the caption or comments. Eventually I got hit up by a few really talented kids around my age and we started creating and recording. Once I had those recordings, I was relentless with sending out my demos.
I’d search for contact info/ emails of exec’s, A & R’s managers, & producers & I’d send them 3 songs each. They ended up loving them and started inviting me to work! Eventually I got management through these demos which helped me meet even more creatives.
As a songwriter, how do you decide which songs will go to other artists and what you will keep for yourself?
Honestly, the songs choose me. I’ll write something for a specific artist, I’ll sing my truth & I’ll sing it with a lot of conviction and passion- Then I’ll send it out like “there’s no way they’re not taking this”! The producers are hype, the publishers are hype, management, label, the artist, everyone who should be excited, is excited…..and then it’ll be big crickets.
A lot of “ we love this song” but no actual motion, and it ends up just not getting placed. Sometimes I’m told “ they couldn’t do it like you”, or “it doesn’t feel the same as yours” & I think that’s when I know I’ve owned a song in a way that’s so true & unique to myself that it’s home is with its builder.
You dropped your debut EP “Insubordinate” in 2016 which features 12 songs. Take us back to this time and talk about the process of creating this project.
Insubordinate was a time! It was my first time ever releasing a body of work, I brought my friends in to work on it with me. We were like family! Shout out to YOBO! I met a new manager that really felt right for me, he had a dope ear & incredible taste in music and style.
I did a production deal with him and his partner which for a period of time, allowed us to record at his studio. I released the first single and it made the global Spotify chart shortly after release. I got booked in Sweden, London, NYFW, & did a bunch of cool shit from that E.P. They told me to manage my expectations pre- release but I knew it would do well and bring us traction so I never did lol. Tbh I don’t think I’ll ever stop dreaming big…if anything I’ll up it.
You haven’t dropped a full body project since “Insubordinate” . Was there a reason for this?
Lol I wish there was “a reason” . Instead, there are many. Starting over, lack of funds, Legality issues & expenses, laying low for my safety at one point, personal + family affairs, internal disorganization, approvals, disapprovals, standstills lol I could go on. But I prefer to lean into all the reasons I CAN & AND WILL be releasing a NEW & IMPROVED body of work that I feel really f*cking proud of!
When can we expect a new full body of work from you and how will it differ sonically from your first one?
The new album will drop this year! Potentially in August. Sonically it’s silkier, rawer, realer, spicier, more vulnerable, more honest, & more musical than my previous body of work. This project tells a story! That was really important to me, that I got to tell a story and take people on a journey this time. I didn’t get to sit in on the mixing of my last project so the songs don’t flow into each other the way I would’ve liked them to. Insubordinate felt more like a playlist to me, APT. 210 is an experience.
How does being from Queens, NY inspire you creatively as an artist?
QUEENS has shaped so much of personality. I think girls from Queens have a certain magic about them, fire, passion and will to win. But also, a bit of a “I worked my ass off, but Imma make it look easy” energy. We’re spicy but sweet & want the best out of life. Our standards are a lil high, but jumpers gone jump & meet us there lol!
There’s so much talent and creativity in Queens. My high school alone has housed so many icons! Queens is literally the most diverse place in the world! Because I grew up there, I don’t see myself remaining a local artist. I represent my city heavy and always will, but I see myself branching out internationally. I write big records that can appeal to multiple audiences. I grew up around so much rich culture, so I try to implement that into my sound.
Many people may not know that you co-wrote the late PnB Rock’s popular song “Selfish”. Take us back to this time and talk about how this song came about.
Ahh man. ROCK! He was heavy on my mind the other day. I miss him a lot. We both got our first platinum hit with that song. I was called into the studio by Atlantic’s president of A&R. He had no idea what I was there for. He was lit, everybody in there was lit lol. There was a girl braiding hair, maybe 6 diff spliffs being passed around. I’m there like “oh no thank you, I don’t smoke” while catching a whole contact high.
He invites this gorgeous girl I had seen on Instagram, to the studio. He notices me nodding my head and writing then says “ yo you vibing kinda hard over there, you writing?”
I laughed and told him yeah & let him know that they called me in to help. He was hype about it and asked to hear. I sung it back to him and he loved it. He’s like “ok so peep I’m tryna bag shorty right there, so let’s cater the verses to her”. I’m like “bet”! We nail it, then someone is like “I think her vocals should stay on the hook” & he agrees. He’s like “word, me too & that way the girls can relate and sing along”. They kept my vocals on it, It went up ! I remember hearing it on NY radio for the 1st time, I was so geeked.
You also worked on Saweetie’s hit song with Doja Cat “Best friend”. What was your role on this song?
Yeah, I did! I helped co-write it and also added a few small sounds to the production. To this day I see people walk up to their besties and go “beep beep is that my bestie in a tessieeee” or my Uber will be a tesla and they mention the song & I’m just like WOW! I knew people would like it but I didn’t know that specific line would end up being such a specific part of pop culture.
You recently dropped a visual for your new song “GPP” with Saweetie. Talk about how this collaboration came about and what it was like working with Saweetie.
I did! That’s my girl! Love her down! We’ve been cowriting songs for a little while now & it’s been an honor to get to create with such a genuine person. We had written all these songs for her album & then I played GPP for her and asked her if she’d want to hop on it. She was like YEAH! No hesitation! She loved it on the first listen.
This was in January of 2021. I was in L.A & had actually been writing a bunch of songs for different artists that day. Then at the final wee hours of the night, Mike & I were like: “let’s do something for us” … and BAM! GPP was created.
She wrote her verse so fast and delivered.. then hits me 2 days later like “girl I wanna change it” I’m like huh??? I thought it was sooo good! But she went back in and beat herself! I love that about her, she’s such a hard worker, she’s her own competition. It was a dream come true having someone I got to pour into, pour back into me and a FIRST for me in this industry. It’s team icy over here in case you didn’t notice lol.
Have you always been into wearing green hair? Do you consider it your signature look?
Yes I’ve been bleaching & dying my natural hair green for over a decade now. This is actually my first time taking a break (like EVER), but it’ll be bleached again soon enough. It’s absolutely my signature!
Walk us through the perfect self-careday.
•Full body Solfeggio on the wake up. I’m big on this, I love to start my day with frequency healing & a little palo santo.
•Then I do a Facial Ice Bath! I just started doing this last year and it’s a game changer.
•Fresh hot tea right after that! I’m a huge tea person! I like to experiment with loose teas and make my own combos. As a singer tea is such an important part of my ritual, I even have a specific incense I burn during tea drinking.
•After tea, it’s time for fresh fruit. My favorite is passion fruit! Watermelon keeps my skin glowing and hydrated, strawberries, mangoes, peaches. Honestly just give me all of em!
•A massage
•Good food, people & music in one place.
•A little retail therapy.
•Time spent near water/in nature.
•I’d end the day with a lavender rosewater bath & probably a true crime doc or something spooky af before bed (which completely goes against all this lol).
What are 3 must-have items that stay in your purse?
My perfume of the day, my lip liner/gloss combo and wasabi seaweed snacks.
When you’re home in New York, where are your favorite places to eat and have a good time?
My Kitchen! I throw DOWN & love to host my friends!
Llama San & Llama Inn is a Peruvian + Japanese cuisine. Michelin rated. It’s a culinary experience tbh even the cocktails. Pricey but heavenly. Thank me later!
Ai Fiori: They have this amazing squid ink seafood pasta that I literally can never stop thinking about. Also Michelin rated and a little pricy but trust me on this one!
Jamrock Jerk Food Truck- outside of actually being in Jamaica & eating at my Jamaican friends’ houses in NY…this is some of the best jerk chicken in NYC. It hits every time!
There’s so many dope art galleries, museums, parks, rooftops, restaurants & activities. There’s literally so much to do here you can’t run out of fun.
Besides your upcoming EP “APT. 210” what else do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
I have some really big placements on the way with a few of my favorite girlies. I’m excited for that! I’m starting the filming process for a new series, (I haven’t told anyone this yet but) something life altering happened to me recently that inspired a few new songs. I’ve already started working on the next body of work. I’m ready to dominate across the board, consistently outdo myself & experience success at a high level. It’s been a long time coming. It’s My time! GREEN MEANS GO baby!
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa Studio (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Danita B. (@dvn1b)
Wardrobe Stylist: Harrison Thomas Crite (@iamharrisoncrite)
Hair Stylist: Shamara (@hairbyshamara)
Makeup Artist: Saint Laurahs (@saintlaurahs)
