Shaky Knees Music Festival 2018: A Conversation With Jacob Banks
Jacob Banks said he sees it has his job to “tell stories.”
Emilia Brock / WABE
If ever you were looking to swoon at a music festival, look no further than Jacob Banks. The class act was in Atlanta this weekend for the Shaky Knees Music Festival. But as he tells us, it wasn’t his first time in Atlanta.
“It’s the first place I ever came to in the U.S.A. as a much younger version of myself,” Banks said. “It’s always fun here. We usually try to finish in Atlanta, because for one, it’s always been kind to me. Secondly, two of the guys in my band who are my brothers — they’re from Atlanta. So the love is always very special, for them as well as for me.”
The Englishman by way of Nigeria is only 26 years old. Still, Banks’ mastery of soul and blues suggest the prowess of a much older musician. He, however, doesn’t think much of his rise to fame.
“I think times have changed. I think fame isn’t what it used to be back in the Britney Spears era,” Banks says. “It’s really chill. People just like your music, that’s it. It’s not really any deeper.”
Still, on the heels of his chart-breaking record “The Boy Who Cried Freedom,” Banks is proving himself one of the most promising up and coming musicians today. The sincerity and brutal honesty of his crackling voice rang throughout Central Park on Saturday. For Banks, having people show up to listen is plenty good for him.
“I feel like my job is to tell stories. Hopefully those stories can keep people company. I just have to be honest with myself. To do my job well,” Banks said. ” I just try to tell my version of the truth, where I can. Sometimes it works out. Most times it doesn’t, and that’s fine.”
Check out upcoming tour dates at: http://www.mrjacobbanks.com/tour.
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