Banners
Banners at the SWR3 New Pop Festival 2022
Banners at the SWR3 New Pop Festival 2022
Background information
Birth nameMichael Joseph Nelson
Also known asRaines
OriginLiverpool, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Years active2015–present
Labels
Websitewww.itsbanners.com

Michael Joseph Nelson,[1][2] known under the stage name Banners (sometimes stylized as BANNΞRS), is an English musician from Liverpool, based in Liverpool.[3] He released his debut studio album Where the Shadow Ends in 2019.

History

2015–2018: Early EPs

Nelson grew up singing in Liverpool Cathedral Choir and performed with the choir in various locations throughout Europe before deciding to start a solo career.[4][5] In 2015, he relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from his native Liverpool,[6] and contacted Canadian producer Stephen Kozmeniuk to work on his sound.[1] Nelson released his debut single "Ghosts" in March 2015 under the stage name Raines.[4] A music video for the song was directed by Christopher Ranson.[7]

His second single, "Shine a Light", was released in August 2015 under the new moniker Banners.[8] A music video for the song was directed by Christopher Ranson and released in October 2015.[7] "Shine a Light" peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Canada Rock chart, and number 71 on the Canadian Hot 100.[9]

In December 2015, Spotify included Banners on its Spotlight list, which highlights 15 artists to watch in 2016.[10][11] On 4 December, Banners released his third single "Start a Riot".[12][13] The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

Banners signed with Island Records in 2016.[5][6] His debut self-titled EP, produced by Kozmeniuk, was released on 15 January 2016 through Island Records. In addition to the three previously released singles, it included two new tracks: "Gold Dust" and "Back When We Had Nothing".[14] The EP debuted at number 67 on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart. On 22 January 2016, Capitol Records released a soundtrack album for the TV series The Royals, which included Banners' song "Half Light".[15] On 27 January 2016, Banners made his television debut performing "Shine a Light" on ABC's show Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[16] From 29 February to 31 March 2016, he joined American bands POP ETC and The Moth & The Flame for his first U.S. tour.[17]

On 3 June 2016, Banners released the single "Half Light".[18][19]

On 24 July 2016, Banners performed at WayHome Music & Arts Festival.[20] On 31 July 2016, he performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago.[21]

On 16 September 2016, Banners released "Into the Storm"[22] which peaked at number 16 on the Canada Rock chart. This was followed in November 2016 by "Holy Ground".[2] The song's music video stars Ashley Greene.[6]

On 31 May 2017, Banners began touring with band Milky Chance in the US. On 3 November 2017, Banners released his second EP, Empires on Fire.[23]

2019–present: Where the Shadow Ends

On 4 October 2019, Banners released his debut album, Where the Shadow Ends, preceded by the singles "Got It In You" and "Where the Shadow Ends"[24] The album was supported with a five-week headline tour across North America.[25]

In 2020, his 2017 single "Someone to You" received a resurgence in streaming following a TikTok trend.[26][27] The single was certified Gold in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[28]

On 1 May 2020, Banners released his third EP, Always Yours, on Island Records, with acoustic versions of previously released tracks, along with the new title track.[29]

In January 2023 he released the EP I Wish I Was Flawless, I'm Not on Nettwerk.[30] The EP was a Juno Award nominee for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024.[31]

In popular culture

His song "Ghosts" was featured on season 5 episodes of both Suits and Teen Wolf. On 29 May 2017, the single "Start a Riot" was featured on the last episode of the second season of the TV series Lucifer.

The single "Shine a Light" was featured on the 7th episode of the first season of the TV series The Good Doctor, on the video game FIFA 16, the soundtrack of the 2017 movie The Space Between Us, and the 2018 film Beautiful Boy.[5] The single was also featured near the end of the 2018 movie Love, Simon but was not included in the soundtrack of the same name.[9]

In April 2018, Banners appeared on season 16 of the U.S. TV competition American Idol to perform two duets with contestants Ron Bultongez and Alyssa Raghu. He sang his own "Someone to You" with Bultongez and Coldplay's "Yellow" with Raghu.

In 2018 the single "Half Light" was featured in the trailer of the TV series New Amsterdam, and on an episode of the TV series The Royals.[5]

In 2019, the single "Got It in You" was featured in the 17th episode of the second season of the US TV series The Good Doctor and in an episode of America's Got Talent. "Someone to You" is used in the 2019 movie After,[32] in the trailer of the TV series Love, Victor, in a 2017 episode of Kevin (Probably) Saves the World,[33] and in a commercial for T-Mobile.[34] It was also used in late 2020, season 17 of Grey's Anatomy, for the return of Derek Shepherd.

In 2021, the single "If I Didn't Have You" was used in the trailer of the second season of the show Love, Victor, making it the second time a Banners song was used for the show.

In 2022, "Someone to You" was used as the theme song for the Netflix series Love is Blind: Japan. The song was used in the opening credits as well as an instrumental version during the 8th episode. It additionally soundtracked the main trailer for the upcoming Apple TV+ animated film Luck.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
Where the Shadow Ends

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart positions
CAN
[36]
Banners
  • Released: 15 January 2016[37]
  • Label: Island
  • Format: Digital download
 67
Empires on Fire
  • Released: 3 November 2017
  • Label: Island
  • Format: Digital download
 —
Always Yours —
Somebody to Someone
  • Released: 3 August 2020[39]
  • Label: FP, Universal
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
The Rise, The Fall
  • Released: 5 August 2020[40]
  • Label: FP, Universal
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
Starlight in the Room
  • Released: 7 August 2020[41]
  • Label: FP, Universal
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
It's Gonna Be OK
  • Released: 24 September 2021[42]
  • Label: Island, Universal
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
I Wish I Was Flawless, I'm Not
  • Released: 13 January 2023[30]
  • Label: Nettwerk
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[43] 		AUS
[44] 		BEL
(FL)
[45] 		BEL
(WA)
[45] 		CAN
[36] 		GER
[45] 		IRE
[46] 		NLD
[47] 		US
Bub.
[48] 		US
Rock
[49]
"Ghosts"[50]
(as Raines) 		2015 — — — — — — — — — — Banners
"Shine a Light"[51] — — — — 71 — — — — —
"Start a Riot"[13] — — — — 32 — — — — 24
"Half Light"[53] 2016 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Into the Storm"[22] — — — — 16 — — — — — Empires on Fire
"Holy Ground"[54] — — — — — — — — — —
"Someone to You"[55] 2017 60 97 8 11 60 100 41 16 18 11
"FireFly"[62] — — — — — — — — — —
"Let Go"[63] 2018 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Got It in You"[64] 2019 — — — — — — — — — — Where the Shadow Ends
"Where the Shadow Ends"
(with Young Bombs)[65] 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Always Yours"[66] 2020 — — — — — — — — — — Always Yours
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" / "Fairytale of New York"[67] — — — — — — — — — — Non album single
"If I Didn't Have You"[68] 2021 — — — — — — — — — — It's Gonna Be Ok
"Serenade"[69] — — — — — — — — — —
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" / "2000 Miles" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Keeps Me Going" 2022 — — — — — — — — — —
"Happier" — — — — — — — — — —
"Perfectly Broken" — — — — — — — — — —
"Easy" — — — — — — — — — —
"In Your Universe" 2023 — — — — — — — — — — TBA
"Tell You I Love You" — — — — — — — — — —
"Name in Lights" — — — — — — — — — —
"Have You Ever Loved Someone" — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other songs

Title Year Album
"Hurts Like This"
(with Illenium) 		2021 Fallen Embers (Deluxe)

References

  1. ^ a b "Banners". Island Records. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b Havens, Lyndsey (17 November 2016). "Banners Shares Dreamy New Track "Holy Ground": Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. ^ Zyzda, Rachel (6 February 2018). "A Chat With: BANNERS". Anchr Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Banners | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Gokhman, Roman (12 February 2018). "Q&A: Banners on the cusp of making a big splash". Riff Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Dickinson, Chrissie (16 February 2017). "That ethereal Banners sound is no accident". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  7. ^ a b Diller, Nathan (9 October 2015). "Banners Battles Darkness in Epic "Shine a Light" Video". Spin. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  8. ^ McDermott, Emily (11 November 2015). "Exclusive Video Premiere: "Shine a Light" Banners". Interview. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  9. ^ a b Johns, Lauren (30 June 2020). "Underrated Artist Review: Banners". The Standard. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  10. ^ Klinkenberg, Brendan (3 December 2015). "15 Artists Spotify Thinks Will Be Huge Next Year". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Banners Named Spotify Spotlight Artist to Watch in 2016". Island Records. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Banners Premieres New Single "Start A Riot"". Island Records. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Start a Riot – Single by Banners". Apple Music. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Banners Releases Self-Titled EP". Island Records. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  15. ^ "The Royals (Original Television Soundtrack) by Various Artists". iTunes (US). 22 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  16. ^ "Watch Banners Perform "Shine A Light" on Jimmy Kimmel Live". Island Records. 28 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Tickets are now on sale for my first tour in the USA! ..." Facebook. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  18. ^ Ryan, Gavin (3 June 2016). "New Music Releases For 3 June 2016". Noise11. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  19. ^ "Banners - My New Single Is Out...tomorrow. Stay tuned". Facebook. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  20. ^ Murphy, Sarah (9 February 2016). "WayHome Reveals 2016 Lineup". Exclaim. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  21. ^ Long, Zach (23 March 2016). "Lollapalooza 2016 lineup". Timeout. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Into the Storm – Single by Banners". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  23. ^ Scott, Jason. "BANNERS ignites 'Empires on Fire' with new EP". B-Sides and Badlands. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  24. ^ "BANNERS New Album Out Now". Alternative Addiction. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  25. ^ "BANNERS and Youngbombs Release New Title Track, "Where the Shadow Ends"". Alternative Addiction. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  26. ^ Scott, Jason. "BANNERS Enjoys Streaming Hit In Pandemic Times". American Songwriter. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Banners Grateful for "Someone to You" TikTok Exposure, Shares Favorite B-Side From Coldplay". B-Sides TV. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  28. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Banners Drops New EP, Always Yours". Alternative Addiction. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  30. ^ a b "SPILL NEW MUSIC: BANNERS RELEASES NEW SINGLE “EASY” | NEW ALBUM ‘I WISH I WAS FLAWLESS, I’M NOT’ OUT JANUARY 13 VIA NETTWERK". Spill Magazine, January 13, 2023.
  31. ^ "Here are all the 2024 Juno nominees". CBC Music, February 6, 2024.
  32. ^ After (2019) - IMDb, retrieved 11 December 2019
  33. ^ "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World Soundtrack". tunefind.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  34. ^ "T-Mobile Essentials TV Spot, 'Families Save Big: 50%'". iSpot.tv. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  35. ^ "Where the Shadow Ends (DD)". Apple Music. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  36. ^ a b "Banners – Chart history: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  37. ^ "Banners (EP)". Apple Music. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Always Yours (DD)". Apple Music. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Somebody to Someone (DD)". Apple Music. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  40. ^ "The Rise, The Fall (DD)". Apple Music. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  41. ^ "Starlight in the Room (DD)". Apple Music. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  42. ^ "It's Gonna Be OK (DD)". Apple Music. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  43. ^ "BANNERS | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  44. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 23 August 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1642. Australian Recording Industry Association. 23 August 2021. p. 4.
  45. ^ a b c "Discografie Banners Someone to You" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  46. ^ "Discography Banners". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  47. ^ "Discografie Banenrs". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  48. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: April 3, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  49. ^ "Banners – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  50. ^ "Ghosts – Single by Banners". Apple Music. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  51. ^ "Shine a Light – Single by Banners". Apple Music. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  52. ^ a b c "Canadian certifications – Banners". Music Canada. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  53. ^ "Half Light – Single by Banners". Apple Music. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  54. ^ "Holy Ground - Single by Banners". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  55. ^ "Someone to You - Single by Banners". Apple Music. June 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  56. ^ "British certifications – Banners". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 July 2022. Type Banners in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  57. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  58. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  59. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Banners)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  60. ^ "Dutch certifications – Banners" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 19 December 2022. Enter Banners in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  61. ^ "American single certifications – Banners – Someone to You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  62. ^ "BANNERS - Firefly (Audio)". YouTube. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  63. ^ "Let Go (Single)". Apple Music. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  64. ^ "Got It in You (Single)". Apple Music. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  65. ^ "BANNERS, Young Bombs - Where The Shadow Ends (Official Audio)". YouTube. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  66. ^ "Always Yours", Spotify, retrieved 11 June 2020
  67. ^ "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (single)". Apple Music. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  68. ^ "If I Didn't Have You (single)". Apple Music. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  69. ^ "Serenade (single)". Apple Music. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.

External links

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