Artist info
Genre
Electronic, Hip Hop
Sounds like
Earl Sweatshirt, Chance The Rapper
band members
Dyl and Edo
Influences
Space
Website
Bio
Milwaukee Banks have been redefining the sound of hip-hop in Australia since their inception. With production more in line with Australia’s rising underground of inventive electronica talent, Milwaukee Banks eschew the Australian hip-hop tradition, bringing dynamic atmosphere through forward-thinking beats and exploring deep introspection with incisive poetic flair. They’ve played attention–garnering sets at Laneway Festival and Golden Plains, and supported the likes of Raury and Big K.R.I.T.
“Australian hip-hop production has come a long way from chipmunk samples and generic beats, but rarely has it sounded like this.” The Guardian
Milwaukee Banks stroll a perfectly fine line between electronica, R'n'B, and rap, making sounds so sexy, you cannot help but sway your hips to. A collaboration that pushes both of these talented artists into new territory as yet undiscovered by man or machine. Check them out as this week's feature artist on Unearthed.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We make spaced-out rap and R&B vibes for your headphones. Our sound developed really when Dyl contacted Edo to do some raps on some of his electronic music project production. We discussed some ideas we had about different vibes we were feeling at the time and then bam, the first track we wrote together was Sweater Made of Gold.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Our greatest source of inspiration for writing music is each other and all our friends. We've both got inspiring creative friends with heaps of different backgrounds, and they inspire us to keep doing what we’re doing and to keep pushing ourselves in our creative pursuits.
What can punters expect from a Milwaukee Banks live show?
Our live show is 45 minutes of sensory bliss. We perform our songs (and occasionally a few new tracks) to fully syncronsied motion graphic visuals made by our friend Jason Lee. You can also expect to see and hear plenty of basketball banter!
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
I’m not sure who it was but I was advised early on to just never stop writing tracks. And it is good advice, keep writing – you never know when you’ll hit gold!
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
You need those uplifting ballad vibes. So I would play Client Liaison – Feelings, every time you hear that song you feel like you can take on the world!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Hmm, we don’t usually want to make people cry, but if you need to hear those deep feels to let a cry out, listen to Namine – The Train, you might get a bit teary…
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
We’d drop Flight Tonight - Love me no more, from his edits EP.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We went to see local hip hop crew RaRa at Boney. Those dudes are awesome live. Lots of energy, rad beats, great vibes!
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
KIRA – KIRA is a collective of beat makers in Melbourne that have done some really cool work and inspire us on the regular! We worked with them on our title track Rose Water on our EP.
Fletch – Our homegirl Maquarie is a local club dj and radio host, she is always keen to hear and share new music and she always stay based.
Andrei Eremin – This guy has mad talent and an inspiring work ethic.
Nuff said. Mata and Must – These guys are possibly the hardest working artists in the Melbourne hip-hop scene. Their sound is grimey and underground. They own and run an independent label Pang Productions.
W1SP - W1SP is a producer from Melbourne. He’s a hard worker and a bit of a perfectionist. His catalogue isn't deep but what he has dropped is straight fire! Keep an eye out for him.
What are your plans for Milwaukee Banks in 2014?
We’ve released our EP which was a pretty major step for us, and now we’re looking forward to playing some shows, including BIGSOUND in September. After that we should get to work on an album!
View Profile Hide InterviewUnearthed in 2015

Congratulations to I Know Leopard, JOY, Sparkspitter, Milwaukee Banks and Dianas
Review
Into this. Dyl's always been a well-loved rapper on Unearthed and Edo's production as Flight Tonight showed heaps of promise. I knew the two of them teaming up together for this hazy thumper would be good but, yeah, it's REAL good.
Into this. Dyl's always been a well-loved rapper on Unearthed and Edo's production as Flight Tonight showed heaps of promise. I knew the two of them teaming up together for this hazy thumper would be good but, yeah, it's REAL good.