Euphony Festival Preview: Robyn Banks

Before her appearance at Euphony Festival, we caught up with Robyn Banks as she prepares to take to the stage following her headline show at The Cumberland Arms. One of the North East’s most distinctive emerging artists, Robyn talks about making her Sunderland debut, why grassroots festivals matter, what fans can expect from her live set, and what’s next as she gears up for new music and her first festival season as a solo artist.

You’re opening this year’s Euphony Festival. How does it feel to kick off a day celebrating independent music?

I’m absolutely buzzing to be honest! It’s my Sunderland debut so I’m planning on making the absolute most of it and taking myself to Chillinos for a fat pizza. Millie (nic promotions) is an absolutely amazing promoter and what she’s managed to do from getting funding to showcasing North East talent and bringing big bands to Sunderland, is so incredible and I’m so grateful that she put me on after spouting utter bollocks to her at Radio 1 Big Weekend! 

For anyone who hasn’t come across your music before, how would you describe your sound?

My general inspiration in life is to be the music version of Miriam Margolles, specifically her role as a Grunhilda in Merlin. My music to put it plainly is alternative/indie with a heavy lyrical focus. I would describe it as early Katy Perry camp and tongue in cheek narratives mixed with the poetry of Fiona Apple. I then collide that with Wilco inspired guitar riffs, the swag and ego of Viagra Boys and a very intriguing vibrato. The dream would be to get on stage and have the impact of a heavily tattooed topless bald man and have all the indie boys aspiring to be me. In the same breath, I would love to have the cultural impact that Cheryl Cole has had for gays across the world. 

What made you want to be part of this year’s Euphony Festival?

I mean the lineup alone is just unbelievable. Artists like Bones Ate Arfa and Et Al, are taking the industry by storm, are in high demand and are guaranteed to be massive in the next couple of years so it’s incredible that we’ve got them coming right to our doorstep. Alongside them, we’ve got grassroots North East very special talents from Leazes, Claudia, End Credits, Wool and JP and the Stuntmen who are all worth paying for just alone, so with everybody I think I would be seriously brainless if I didn’t want to be part of it!

Euphony is all about supporting independent and grassroots music. Why do you think festivals like this are so important?

I could genuinely talk all day about the grassroots music scene, it’s something I’m so proud of and passionate about, and independent venues and artists have been absolutely shafted the past couple of years with closures, loss of funding and being pushed to the side for huge capacity venues and people with too much money. Festivals like Euphony not only create organic hubs for audiences to see exciting and phenomenal new music, but they also help create communities that last for years. On the other side, they also give independent artists chances to reach these communities and gain opportunities that don’t come around very often, especially in the North. 

If someone’s never seen you live before, what can they expect from your set?

People can expect to see some pretty good dad t-shirts, some questionable dance moves, some pretty awkward stage crack (that often reduces a room to silence) and a lot of emotion on both ends of the scale. A lot of my music highlights my politics and I really try to get across my views, and experiences through my songs. In the same breath you can expect a fair bit of campness and maybe a reference to gay icon Natasha Lyonne. What I can say for sure is that you can expect to see music that’s passionate in every sense of the word and musicians that truly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. 

Is there one song you’re especially looking forward to performing at Euphony?

To be honest, I love to change sets last minute so at this point, I’m looking forward to seeing what songs I’m going to play will be! There’s one song that will always be in the set though which is a crowd favourite and super fun to play and that’s “Play Ball” which is an upbeat, satire but emotional and heavy guitar driven track that encompasses what it’s like to have an argument with a posh twat (which happened a fair bit at a music uni) 

Have you got any new music or projects coming up that fans should keep an eye out for?

I most definitely do, I will be releasing for the first time as a solo artist very soon, but I am one for a bit of a chase (wink wink) so I won’t say too much- but it is coming and I would love it if people would just help build my ego a little bit more so I can feel like it’s a real culturally shifting release ahaha. 

Once Euphony is over, what’s next for you?

I will be venturing to the land of inaccessible opportunities very soon- London. Which in all seriousness is a super big thing for me and I’m really excited to finally get down there and show that the North East is superior to them all. I’ve also got a couple more grassroots festivals this year across the North East and Yorkshire which I’m super excited to play as this is my first festival season as a solo artist!

Looking across the line-up, is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to watching?

To be honest, all of them! It’s a super diverse lineup with so many corners of music that I love, but Claudia is sick and I’m super excited to get to see them as well as Wool who I’ve heard a lot of buzz about recently. Also I loved Et Al’s single “Fat Kid” so I’m dying to see that live! But yeah in summary all of them, it’s a great lineup. 

Finally, if someone is still deciding whether to come along to Euphony, why should they make sure they’re there?

You don’t know how lucky you are to have these artists right on your doorstep! Everyone wants to be that person that says “oh I saw them before they were big” type of thing, and I can guarantee that will be the case with these artists- do you really wanna miss that chance to flex?

Grab some tickets now https://www.fatsoma.com/e/3tliq7lg/euphony-festival-26