Biography
Jillian Rose Banks, known professionally as BANKS (often stylized in all caps), was born on June 16, 1988, in Orange County, California, and moved to Los Angeles at a young age, settling in the Tarzana neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. She began writing songs at age 15 and taught herself piano on a keyboard gifted by a friend during her parents' divorce, marking the start of her musical journey. While attending the University of Southern California (USC), she connected with manager DJ Yung Skeeter, who introduced her to Good Years Recordings; her track 'Before I Ever Met You' gained traction after being played by DJ Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 in 2013, leading to her debut EPs Fall Over and London that year.
BANKS signed with Harvest Records and released her debut album Goddess in 2014, which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and featured the platinum-certified single 'Beggin for Thread,' earning widespread critical acclaim for her magnetic songwriting. She supported The Weeknd on tour twice, performed at festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo, and followed with The Altar (2016, peaking at #17) and III (2019, peaking at #21, her most critically acclaimed work). Departing Harvest, she went independent for Serpentina (2022), embracing experimental sounds, and released Off with Her Head in 2025. Her style blends alternative R&B, pop, and electronic elements with introspective, emotionally raw lyrics.
BANKS's career highlights include headlining tours like The Goddess Tour (2014–2015) and The Serpentina Tour (2022), as well as opening for artists like Lana Del Rey in 2025. Known for overcoming severe stage fright—early performances faced away from audiences—she has evolved into a confident live performer, influencing contemporary pop with her genre-bending production and instinctive creative process.
Fun Facts
- BANKS taught herself piano at 15 using a keyboard from a friend to cope with her parents' divorce, which sparked her songwriting.
- She suffered severe stage fright early on, performing with her back to the audience at open-mic nights in Los Angeles.
- Her breakthrough track 'Before I Ever Met You' was played on BBC Radio 1 by Zane Lowe after leaking from a private SoundCloud page.
- After leaving Harvest Records, she embraced independence for Serpentina (2022), calling it a 'triumphant rebirth' amid management changes.
Musical Connections
Key Collaborators
- The Weeknd - tour support and opening act (Kiss Land Fall Tour (2013), The Madness Fall Tour (2015)) [2013-2015]
- Francis and the Lights - featured artist on single ('Look What You're Doing To Me' from III)
- Sampha - long-developing collaboration (upcoming project) [recent (pre-2025)]
- Doechii - collaboration mentioned in interviews (unspecified recent work) [2020s]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
BANKS has been played 10 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.