Paul Banks

Biography:

American singer, songwriter, DJ, and musician Paul Julian Banks was born on May 3, 1978. He is most recognized for being the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and studio bassist for the American rock group Interpol. He is renowned for having a baritone singing voice. Although his solo work is now recorded under his true name, he published a solo album titled Julian Plenti is… Skyscraper in 2009 under the name Julian Plenti.

On May 3, 1978, Paul Julian Banks was born in Clacton-on-Sea.  His sibling is older than him. The family had to move around a lot because of his father’s corporate job for a car manufacturing.  The family emigrated to the United States from England when Banks was three years old, briefly resided in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and then relocated to Spain when Banks was twelve. Before the family returned to the United States and settled in New Jersey, Banks attended the American School of Madrid in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain.  Banks completed high school at the American School Foundation in Mexico City after his father was later sent to Mexico. Banks likened the frequent moves of his family to those of a normal military family.

During his tenure at the American School Foundation, Banks participated in stage productions, including the lead in the musical South Pacific.  He later studied English and comparative literature at New York University and, upon graduation, worked at magazines like Gotham  and Interview. In order to focus more on music, he later obtained a data entry job at the Scholastic Corporation and worked in a café.