087: TARRIONA "TANK" BALL [Tank And The Bangas] + TYPE RIDER [multi-media poetry project]

TARRIONA "TANK" BALL, founder/frontperson/visionary of NOLA-based, GRAMMY-winning TANK AND THE BANGAS joins B.Getz for a special broadcast aboard Jam Cruise 21! Episode 087 was recorded around 12noon on Day 5, and Tank brought an insightful, jovial, reflective perspective to the table for a coloful conversation. On the hees of a pair of dynamite performances as part of their second sailing on The Boat, having first joined this floating circus a precious few weeks before the pandemic in Jan.2020, Tank talks about her JC experiences onstage and off, past and present. She also revisits her 2024 Grammy triumph, winning Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for their 3-part masterpiece The Heart, The Mind, and The Soul. Other topics include Tank's hometown of New Orleans; embryonic beginnings with SLAM Poetry; longtime friend and collaborator Norah Jones, what makes a BANGA? co-producers Iman Omari, James Poyser, Robert Glasper; the impact of their shapeshifting 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Concert, resulting in Trey Anastasio stanning her band very publicly; getting the 2025 NOLA Jazz Fest poster, and more! 

Episode 087 also features an illuminating dialogue with SCOTT T. about his latest foray into a new frontier with the bold, ambitious, and groundbreaking poetry/music/visual art multimedia project TYPE RIDER. This chat was recorded a few months ago at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida.

• 0:00 - ep.087 preview
• 3:30 - sponsor JUST SCHWANDERING NOLA Jazz Fest Parties
• 6:00 - The Upful Update
• 10:45 - introducing TARRIONA "TANK" BALL
• 13:50 - interview w/ TANK [39 min]
• 53:00 - gratitude x Scott T x Tank SLAM Story
• 58:15 - introducing - TYPE RIDER
• 1:02:20 - interview Scott T. [35 min]
• 1:37:30 - afterglow + ViBE Junkie JAM

Tank And The Bangas bio:

Tank and the Bangas explore the most tender and true parts of life’s journey. Unique and with a vibrance that could only come from New Orleans, the lead vocalist, Tank has stretched her vocals over quirky raps, poetry, and rich melodies since the release of their first album, Think Tank in 2013. Four years later, they had a viral breakthrough as the winners of the NPR Tiny Desk Contest — an eclectic performance that has since been praised by musicians like Miguel and Anthony Hamilton and has now amassed over 14 million views on YouTube. Now, Tank and the Bangas arrive with a new 3-part album The Heart, The Mind, and The Soul. With this offering, Tank opens up about the wisdom she’s gained from new beginnings, endings, and in-betweens.

special thanks to Cloud 9 and Jam Cruise for facilitating this interview!

About TYPE RIDER:

TYPE RIDER is a psychedelic multimedia project by Jacksonville-based poet Scott T. Horowitz that defies traditional literary boundaries. Released via Subtle Body Press, a Florida-based publisher, this extraordinary work combines prose, poetry, visual art, and music into a singular, immersive experience that pushes the limits of creative expression. TYPE RIDER is more than just a book—it's a multi-modal journey that engages readers through multiple sensory channels. The project brings together a diverse team of creatives, including Colombian illustrator Jorge Peña, Virginian music producer B. Helix, and mystical scholar Dr. Manuel Festamos, to create a unique interdisciplinary work. 

ViBE Junkie JAM

"Twice The First Time" - SAUL WILLIAMS [1999]

 

Buy TYPE RIDER book HERE

Stream/Download TYPE RIDER on BandCamp

 

 

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Theme Song: "Mazel Tov"- CALVIN VALENTINE