On the lookout for a new rock ‘n’ roll outfit to get into? Cue The Bankes Brothers. We caught up with Nelson and Morgan, a pair of siblings in the five-piece that shares mic and guitar responsibilities.

Hi guys, how’s it going?

Morgan: Swimmingly!

How’s 2025 been treating you so far?

Morgan: Also swimmingly. We’re gearing up for releases and shows ahead of summer; all the things that make someone feel like they’re making a career of it.

Fab stuff! Let’s dig into how you came to make music — when and where did it all begin for you?

Nelson: We grew up with music all over our household, so it was sort of an inevitability. I think our dad would have had a fit if we chose any other career path really.

What have been your career highlights to date?

Morgan: We did a festival last summer to like 16,000 people, which was pretty insane. Also made our way over to the UK for a pretty wild tour with Red Rum Club, and we’ve been chasing those highs ever since.

What’s your local music scene like? 

Nelson: Small, but mighty. Good people, feeding the ecosystem where they can. COVID definitely hit it pretty hard, with venues closing and bands vanishing, but it’s all come back with a vengeance, which is pretty exciting to see.

If you could share a stage with any two artists — past or present — who would they be?

Morgan: Would it be played-out to say The Beatles? But like early Beatles. Small-club-cover-band-era Beatles. Because that’s how we sorta got our footing, too; playing covers in clubs ‘til 2am.

Nelson: For a more modern artist, I think we’d probably lose our minds if we shared a stage with The Strokes. At one point or another we all had a huge Strokes phase and they’ve influenced pretty much every decision of our genre ever since.

Can you share any other news about things in the pipeline?

We’ve got a whole lot sitting in the hopper right now, which is super-exciting. This song is the first of many. Too many songs to know what to do with, and we love them all equally — like they’re our children.

Morgan: And we’re excited to be back over in the UK in June for the Isle of Wight Festival. I think we won a few crowds while we were there last, so we’re pretty eager to have another go at it!

Nelson: Let’s not forget we’re also doing a couple of dates when we get back home to Canada, ahead of a summer full of gigs. So lots in the pipeline!

It’s all shaping up as a very fun time to be in The Bankes Brothers, so keep an eye on their socials for more.

*With thanks to Kartel Music Group for organising the Q&A.