The members of Louisiana-based Tank and the Bangas met a decade and a half ago at an open mic in New Orleans. Fronting the band is Tarriona “Tank” Ball. Ball grew up in a musical family, but originally lacked confidence in her own vocal talents. She instead cultivated her voice after discovering slam poetry in middle school, finding the confidence she needed to perform via her writing. With drummer Joshua Johnson, keyboardist and bassist Norman Spence and saxophonist and flutist Albert Allenback at her side, Ball’s spoken word shifts into shades of funk, soul, hip hop and rock. In 2017, Tank and the Bangas’ spirited live performances captured the attention of NPR, and they won that year’s Tiny Desk Concert Contest. Their session now boasts over 14 million views on YouTube. By 2020, the band received its first GrammyAward nod, a nomination for Best New Artist. Tank and the Bangas’ most recent release is a three-part collection of spoken word called The Heart, The Mind, The Soul meant to bring poetry back into the mainstream.
WHO: Tank and the Bangas
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show)
WHERE: Georgia Theatre
HOW MUCH: $28.46
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