Radio airwaves won’t be the same if Tank and the Bangas’ funky new track “Why Try” gets placed in rotation. Recent Oscar winner Questlove opens the psychedelic gem, serving as a radio programmer introducing the new record.
Speaking on “Why Try,” the band wrote in a joint Instagram post that it “came from one of those organic vibes that we created out there in the Earth, Wind and Fire studio. It came about out of the blue, from the tail end of another song, just keeping the vibe going and keeping the recorder going. It’s about a real-life relationship.”
They added, “We have a vulnerable woman who isn’t afraid to say, ‘I like you and you’re not giving me the same energy back. I know you like me, too.’ At the end of the song, she says, ‘I don’t need to do this. I can go my own way.’ Like, ‘If this is what it is, I could do better.’”
“Why Try” is another preview from Tank and the Bangas’ forthcoming album, Red Balloon, set to release May 13. The band’s follow-up to 2019’s Green Balloon includes the previously shared singles “Black Folk” featuring Alex Isley and Masego, “Stolen Fruit” and “No ID.”
The album includes additional features from Lalah Hathaway, Wayne Brady, The HamilTones, Jacob Collier, Big Freedia and Trombone Shorty.
Tank and the Bangas are on tour promoting their impending album, with Big Freedia and Trombone Shorty as supporting acts on select dates. The tour will conclude on Aug. 14 in San Diego, California. Then, in late August, Tank and the Bangas will head overseas to perform in the U.K.
Listen to Tank and the Bangas’ new song “Why Try” below.
Tank and the Bangas 2022 Tour Dates
Apr 7—Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory*
Apr 8—San Francisco, CA @ August Hall*
Apr 9—San Jose, CA @ The Ritz*
Apr 22—New Orleans, LA @ French Quarter Fest*
Apr 30—New Orleans, LA @ JazzFest*
Jun 10—Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino†
Jun 11—Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion†
Jun 13—New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage†
Jun 14—Buffalo, NY @ Artpark†
Jun 15—Toronto, CA @ Massey Hall†
Jun 17—Providence, RI @ Bold Point Park†
Jun 18—Vienna, VA @ Wolftrap†
Jun 21—Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre†
Jun 22—Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park†
Jun 24—Grand Rapids, MI @ Meijer Gardens†
Jun 25—Detroit, MI @ Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre†
Jun 26—Chicago, IL @ Ravinia†
Jun 28—Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre†
Jun 29—Salt Lake City, MO @ Red Butte Gardens†
Jul 1—Missoula, MT @ Kettlehouse Amphitheater†
Jul 2—Seattle, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery†
Jul 3—Troutdale, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield †
Aug 10—Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl†
Aug 11—Saratoga, CA @ Mountain Winery†
Aug 12—Saratoga, CA @ Mountain Winery†
Aug 13—Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl†
Aug 14—San Diego, CA @ Rady Shell†
*w/ Big Freedia
†w/ Trombone Shorty
