Artist info
Genre
Electronic, Hip Hop
Sounds like
Illy, Common, Seth Sentry, Chance The Rapper
band members
COIN BANKS
Influences
Chance The Rapper, Common, Goldlink, 20Syl, Kendrick Lamar
Website
Bio
After a short hiatus, Perth rapper, Coin Banks is back! Having achieved an unparalleled run with the release of his ‘Heads’ & ‘Tails’ EP’s. Banks has been busy creating new music and developing on his style which quickly established him as one of Hip Hop’s most exciting new voices: fusing the classic with the contemporary to forge a signature sound which proves as effective as it seems effortless.
With songs ‘Think Of You’, ‘Hatches’ and ‘Someone’ receiving full rotation on Triple J radio nationally, it introduced Coin Banks to his now dedicated audience. By the end of 2015 it saw him be the most played artist on Triple J’s Unearthed station along with being nominated as their artist of the year.
Banks has both national and international tours under his belt, supporting Cypress Hill, BIG KRIT, Illy, 360 and Seth Sentry along with performing in Singapore as part of the Music Matters festival. Coin Banks took out the WAM Song of the year in 2015 and 2016, as well as WAM Urban artist of the year 2015.
“The premise behind Heads & Tails was to show two versatile sides,” says Banks. “The inspiration came from what I like to listen to, from the Native Tongues movement to its modern day equivalents like Top Dawg Entertainment: music that’s both stylistically original and tells a story. I got in touch with all of my favourite producers and developed a two part release on which I could build a sound. I had some challenging life experiences in the past couple years, which gave me a lot of writing ammo but now I am back with a lot of music and some great stories tell.”
Balancing national tours and writing new material, Coin Banks is back with a truckload of new music to release throughout 2017.
His new song ‘BE REAL’ has been released to positive reviews, and a warm welcome back to the scene.
Coin Banks is a talented Perth MC with an impressive résumé of collaborations to his name. Now he's stepping up and stepping out on his own and we couldn't be more stoked.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I am a Hip Hop artist from Perth, Australia – I am a beat maker and an MC. A lot of people tell me that my sound and style is really different to what is going on in Australian hip hop at the moment, and I take it as a great compliment. I grew up listening to hip hop in Primary School so it’s always been there, and as hip hop grew, I grew with it. I think the main thing for me was to take my influences and create something original and different.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I am huge music fan. I am fan before I am an artist. So other music is probably my biggest inspiration. I want to make people feel the way the same way that a de la soul song made me feel. Other than that, life’s experiences are a big influence on me – love, girls, and philosophy. For me, Hip Hop is essentially soul music, so it’s the pains and joys in my life that inspires me to create.
What can punters expect from a Coin Banks live show?
RAPS! I am a rappers rapper, an mc’s mc. My main focus is to do my job and deliver the song as well as possible. That being said, I love crowd interaction, I love the old school house party vibe of partying with the crowd. If the crowd has a good time, then im gona have good time. My favourite shows are playing with a full band. I rarely get to play these because of budgetary constraints, but the songs really come to life when there is a 7 piece band behind me.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Over the years, Homeboy Sandman has become a bit of a big brother to me. If I overstep the boundary, he is quick to step in and set me right. I love the dude for the guidance he has given me. He isn’t only one of the best MC’s in the world; he is also one of the most intelligent and nicest dudes I know.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Chet Faker – No Diggity (Cover)
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Ta-Ku – I miss you
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Sable – Feels So Good
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
It was a Bush Fire Fundraiser in Perth. Started with Natalie Mae and Rae doing an acoustic set together, I love these guys and their performance is always something special. Then Marksman Lloyd played, and he killed it as per usual. I had to leave just after his set finished, but was a great night with great people.
Tell us about the bands or people in the WA music community that inspire you.
Marksman Lloyd – He is my favourite MC in WA, if not all of Australia. His work ethic and originally are really inspiring – I always tell him how jealous I am of his stuff. One of my closest homies!
Mathas – I don’t really need say much about this guy, I love everything about the music he makes – he inspires me and makes me step my game up.
Ta-Ku – I’ve worked with Ta-Ku for over the years, and am happy to call him one of my best friends. He has always supported me in music and personal life, and vice versa. Dude is an inspiration for everyone in Perth.
Empty – This guy can play every instrument, rap, sing and freestyle something incredible. I’m always watching what he is up to next, and I suggest the rest of Australia do the same.
Sable – Young, talented, humble and passionate. This guy has such a bright future ahead of him, and I am super excited to be working with him on a few songs.
Childs Play, Beckon, Cole, Strangelove – These guys are all new young up and comers in the Perth scene and are already making waves. They all have a great work ethic and I am looking forward to seeing them grow as artists in the scene. They keep me on my toes.
What are your plans for Coin Banks in 2014?
Having the HEADS EP released on March 7th was a relief, but it now means I need to move on to the next page. Im going to let HEADS do its thing for a little bit, and to follow it up I have the TAILS EP featuring two singles with video clips. The Tails EP has my most favourite song of all time on it, I love everything on the HEADS EP but one of the singles on the TAILS EP is really special, and I cant wait to release it. I am currently working on my Debut solo LP with two songs already completed – one produced by Ta-Ku and another by Nottz from Detroit. As well as my solo stuff, UPNUP have been busy writing new material to take into the studio. I have also been working with Sable and Marksman on an EP. 2014 should be a great year.
Unearthed in 2014
Congratulations to our 7 NIDA winners!
Review
New Coin! This stays low and super relaxed.
New Coin! This stays low and super relaxed.
Review
I'm with Dave. The choir adds a whole new element to Coin Banks' already legendary sound.
I'm with Dave. The choir adds a whole new element to Coin Banks' already legendary sound.
Review
i'm a real sucker for a bit of choral singing and i love how you kick off with it, sets the mood straight away. as always solid raps to match, nice coiny!
i'm a real sucker for a bit of choral singing and i love how you kick off with it, sets the mood straight away. as always solid raps to match, nice coiny!
