Banji

“Fizzing with the kind of giddy spirit that’d happily nestle in a mixtape between the likes of Phoenix, The Drums, Darwin Deez” DIY Magazine 

“the Dutch group crash guitar fuzz into a wall of synths and gleefully watch the chaos ensue” Billboard 

“naggingly infectious” CLASH 

“bright, fizzy” DORK 

“relatable, digestible, and enjoyable, all while wrapped in a unique sounds” Thissongissick 

Utrecht quartet Banji reveal new single ‘Maybe’ - out today as the final preview of debut album Freshcakes released October 14th via [PIAS] Recordings.

Positioned as the album’s closer, ‘Maybe’ is Banji’s fireworks moment. Opening as a lilting lullaby, the wistful tone abruptly gives way to an arena-ready drop, vocalist Morris Brandt delivering the most bombastic chorus  in the four-pieces ouvre so far. The symphonic scale is not something they shy away from, and allies with the lyrical themes, as Morris explains: 

“With Maybe I tried to capture the idea of someone completely surrendering themself to a person. Up to the point to where the value of mundane life seems made up, or even worthless. It’s a big feeling, and the song also questions whether that feeling will be returned. I wanted to describe tiny intimate moments that can feel really expansive and impactful. I felt like that’s where the contrast in the song comes from, those explosive choruses in opposition to the more peaceful verses. That idea also makes it a very fun song to play live. It feels big.”

Debut album Freshcakes will showcase the brand of indie-pop the quartet have been cultivating over the last year or so, harnessing the power of technicolour fun against a greyscale world. This upbeat sound belies the darker themes explored however - Morris elaborates on how it has been a cathartic process for him and the band: 

“Banji's songwriting has always reflected my surroundings and environment. Big themes of this album are struggling with adulthood, self-worth and self-esteem, mental health and frustrations, addiction, and finding your own self-discipline and maturity over time. The lyrics that flowed out of me throughout the making of Freshcakes tend to be built around introverted thoughts, personal social situations, and subjects that I find difficult to dissect. Stressful feelings about mistakes made, expectations unfulfilled, and the guilt that surrounds that. At a young age I’ve learned to use music as an output for frustration and stress. The main thing that I wanted to do with this record was find a place for those feelings and letting them go, kind of like therapy in a way.” 

Each preview has been an invigorating listen, a string of singles that sets the band apart in their search for indie euphoria - from the hyperactive ‘Listen’ & ‘Chatterbox’, laid-back ‘Cornflakes’, ‘Dogbreath’ & ‘Chills’, or open-hearted ‘TalkieWalkie’. 

Their recent gig history has been nothing short of bursting at the seams, including an after show set for Vampire Weekend, support slots with the likes of De Staat, Balthazar, Hippo Campus, dEUS and more, and a spate of successful Dutch and UK headline shows, alongside festival slots at The Great Escape, Down The Rabbit Hole, Reeperbahn, Into The Great Wide Open amongst many others. Meanwhile, in the media, trusted tastemakers in Billboard, DIY, Clash, DORK, The Line of Best Fit and more are lending their voices of support. 

As well as musicians, each member of the band is a budding producer, having cut their teeth working with Jeroen De Pessemier at ICP Studios in Brussels, where The Cure and The Vaccines have recorded, as well as Mucky, who has worked with Sevdaliza and The Black Eyed Peas. Now, they’ve fully taken the reins on self-production duties, lending a personal flourish, and distinct Banji flavour to every aspect of the record.