Today is a great day to share an early listen to the New Jersey 4-piece emo band, Banquets, new single called “Episodes.” The last we heard from Banquets, they announced their third and final LP, Spit at the Sun. The Jersey City quartet had decided to hang it up after years of shows and several releases with Black Numbers. They played their final show in February of 2016 and the members went their separate ways, parting on good terms but with the understanding that the realities of life made it difficult to carry the banner any further. Today marks a new chapter in Banquets story, as lead vocalist/guitarist Travis shared:
The song ‘Episodes’ takes the form of a letter to my former self. It acts as a reflection of how I’ve hurt and let others down. I’ve squandered some truly remarkable moments by not being fully present. Days and nights were more episodic. Like a malnourished Zack Morris, I’m trudging through a Belgian field looking for a chance to swipe some Jagermeister at Groezrock. Then I’m punishing random people with Nesquik Bunny references and making everyone stage-dive in between Lifetime songs. Cap off the episode by time-traveling during a Lagwagon set, and watching Rancid from behind my eyelids in a Sprinter. Sounds cool. Wish I was there.
Banquets fit somewhere within the artistic realm of Jimmy Eat World, Hot Rod Circuit, and The Menzingers, and they’re quickly re-cementing themselves as a key artist to watch as this year unfolds. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering Banquets’ new record, Petty Relics, that will be released via Black Numbers on October 17th here.
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