Interview by Laasaya Gadiyaram
Asha Banks is quickly emerging as one of the UK’s most compelling new voices in pop, building a musical world as emotive and multi-layered as her artistic background. After self-releasing her debut single “So Green” last year—and selling out her first headline show only a week later—Banks released her debut EP Untie My Tongue, a project that showcased her instinctive storytelling and drew over seven million streams. The EP’s success led to her signing with Island and Polydor Records and returning with How Real Was It?, a bold, reflective follow-up shaped by writing sessions in both London and Los Angeles with collaborator Josh Bruce Williams. Blending diaristic honesty with cinematic production, Banks’ music traces the emotional landscapes she’s navigated while growing up both onstage and on screen. As she prepares to release the new EP and embark on her first UK, EU, and US headline tour, Banks is stepping fully into her identity as a songwriter—one whose vulnerability, craft, and melodic instinct mark the beginning of a formidable music career.
Jacket, feather-trimmed dress, & loafer: Toga
Knit top, skirt, & faux fur coat: Toga, under top & briefs: Florentina Leitner, heels: Manolo Blahnik
You began performing on the West End at a very young age. How do you reflect on that?
To be honest, I just feel so lucky; both that I was given those opportunities and that my family were able to facilitate them. Having my formative years filled with so much joy, surrounded by passion and love for what I loved to do, was so special. It almost doesn’t feel real. I have so many vivid memories of each show I did as a kid: the smell of the theatres, the smoke on stage. They’re memories I’ll never forget.
Dress & Heels: Marine Serre
Faux fur coat & knit top: Toga, briefs: Florentina Leitner
How has your background in theatre shaped your approach to singing and songwriting?
Being surrounded by creative people and witnessing musical talent every day made a huge difference. Rehearsals for any theatre show—especially new ones—were so exciting. I watched creatives sit around the piano rewriting and collaborating so enthusiastically. For songwriting, I wanted to be part of that: part of music that moves people. My music is very story- and emotion-led, which makes complete sense given my background in theatre.
Leather jacket, leather skirt, polo top, earrings, gloves, tights & heels: Saint Laurent F25
Leather jacket, leather skirt, polo top, earrings, gloves, tights & heels: Saint Laurent F25
How does songwriting feed into your acting, and vice versa?
In so many ways. To do both, you have to be able to dive deeply into a topic, story, or person. With songwriting, that person is often me, but I still have to access emotions and begin to figure them out. Truthfully, I’m probably just a very emotional person, so I enjoy that process, both acting and songwriting feel therapeutic for me.
Knit top, skirt, & faux fur coat: Toga, under top & briefs: Florentina Leitner, heels: Manolo Blahnik
Dress & Heels: Marine Serre
You’ve said you don’t want to be boxed in across theatre, film, TV, and music. How do you navigate choosing projects that allow you to stay diverse?
I’m very much still at the beginning, so I’m still working it out. I’ve been lucky to be part of projects I feel passionate about while making music I love. Going forward, I’ll see what happens and hopefully continue working on things that feel right for me. I want to keep evolving musically and follow my instincts. That would be the dream.
What drives you creatively beyond performance? What are you trying to say or explore through your work?
I think the best thing about art is that people take what they need from it: comfort, escape, feeling heard or validated. I seek all those things from music and film, and I only hope people can find that in my work too. My favourite thing is when people relate to my music. I’ve had that experience with so many artists and songs that mean so much to me, and it’s surreal to think people might feel that way about my songs.
Faux fur coat & knit top: Toga, briefs: Florentina Leitner
Jacket & jumper: Feng Chen Wang
With your debut EP Untie My Tongue earlier this year, and now How Real Was It?, what changed internally for you between the two projects?
Not much, honestly! How Real Was It? is definitely a continuation. Not much time passed between writing the two EPs, and even combined, it’s not that much music. Any songs I wrote for How Real Was It? were just the next emotional step, as well as the next step in my songwriting and self-discovery. What did change was the excitement and nerves of people listening. Since Untie My Tongue, I’ve met so many people at shows and seen people online, so it’s thrilling to feel like there are listeners excited about new music. Hopefully they love it!
What was it like recording parts of the new EP in both London and Los Angeles? Did that transatlantic context shape the sound or your mindset in a noticeable way?
I definitely noticed a difference! It was my first time writing in LA, especially with Josh Bruce Williams, who I co-write with a lot. There’s something special about writing together away from home—there’s a kind of magic in a new environment. Either I’m in LA with him, or he’s in London with me. One perk of living on the other side of the world! I felt the songs we wrote in LA were naturally more upbeat. The sun must’ve soaked through. I was also listening to a lot of music in the car while I was there, so I think the songs I gravitated toward were ones that sounded great on a drive.
Dress & Heels: Marine Serre
Faux fur coat & knit top: Toga, briefs: Florentina Leitner
Were there songs on this EP that surprised you? Any moments where the writing went somewhere you didn’t expect?
I love “Headstart.” It’s one of my favourites. It’s not a typical song structure, and I love that about it. It just builds and builds until it disappears. I can’t even remember when we decided that would be the song, but I’m so glad we did.
Knit top, skirt, & faux fur coat: Toga, under top & briefs: Florentina Leitner, heels: Manolo Blahnik
Jacket & jumper: Feng Chen Wang
As an artist who also acts, how does your storytelling in music differ from your storytelling on screen or stage? Do you bring character, voice, or dramatic structure into your songs?
Absolutely, 100%. I notice it so much when writing songs. I’m hyper-focused on the story and how everything, from production to lyrics, has to work together to communicate the emotion. Even when recording vocals, I’m performing in some way, either by zoning into what I’m feeling or taking myself back to where I was. I love it.
Jacket, feather-trimmed dress, & loafer: Toga
What sonic elements did you experiment with on How Real Was It? that felt new or outside your comfort zone?
I think I became less scared of drums! On Untie My Tongue there aren’t many prominent drums, and while it’s not a huge shift on How Real Was It?, performing live has helped me understand the impact and need for certain drum moments.
Leather jacket, leather skirt, polo top, earrings, gloves, tights & heels: Saint Laurent F25
Are there songs on the EP you’re especially excited to perform live? How do you imagine them translating from studio to stage?
I always want my set to feel as dynamic as possible, so I’m more aware of that when writing now. Hopefully the songs translate well from studio to stage! I’m going on tour soon, so we’ll find out. I’d love moments where we’re crying together one minute and spinning and jumping the next. I’m particularly excited about performing “Every Way You Look at Me I Honestly Die.”
Jacket & jumper: Feng Chen Wang
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