About
Paul Banks is probably best known as the baritone voice behind Interpol, the New York rock band he joined after reconnecting with guitarist Daniel Kessler in 1997. His vocal style draws constant comparisons to Joy Division's Ian Curtis, though Banks has always been clear he's not trying to copy his heroes. Starting with Interpol's fifth record El Pintor, he also took over bass duties for the band. Outside Interpol, Banks has kept himself busy across a surprising range of projects. He put out a solo album under the name Julian Plenti back in 2009, then dropped a self titled record in 2012 and a hip hop mixtape featuring Talib Kweli and El P in 2013. He linked up with RZA to form Banks and Steelz, a duo whose album Anything But Words brought in Florence Welch, Ghostface Killah, and Method Man among others. More recently he formed the band Muzz with Matt Barrick of The Walkmen and Fleet Foxes fame, and Josh Kaufman.