New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas beat out more than 6,000 competitors to win NPR's 2017 Tiny Desk Concert, with judges saying, "We are proud to have fallen in love with the sounds of New Orleans' own Tank and the Bangas."
NPR's Bob Boilen writes, "What won me over about the band's performance of 'Quick' were the interactions among lead singer Tarriona "Tank" Ball and her bandmates, and the way they seemed to surprise one another. It all felt so organic and on-the-spot, just like the best Tiny Desk concerts."
NPR said the decision to name Tank and the Bangas the winner was unanimous amongst its 10 judges, "which included Phish guitarist and singer Trey Anastasio. "I immediately loved this," he told Boilen and NPR's David Greene on "Morning Edition.""Tank is a force of nature, just full of joy -- and her band is killing in the background."
NPR said its next step is to have Tank and the Bangas come and record a Tiny Desk concert at Boilen's desk at NPR in Washington, D.C.
"And after that, we're hitting the road with Lagunitas Brewing Company on a national tour with Tank and the Bangas and local Contest entrants we loved."
Check out this recent interview by NOLA.com writer Chelsea Brasted with the band at the Music Box Village, where they also did a little impromptu concert for us.
Take a well-needed music break: Tank and the Bangas perform and discuss upcoming projects with entertainment reporter Chelsea Brasted.