"I used to worry about shows a lot.... Now I have real problems, and shows are just fun," he says.
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Live shows also proved to be a driving factor in his most recent EP, titled Gold Braid. A Littleton native who returned to Denver from Chicago several years ago to be closer to family, Banker first emerged locally as the epitome of a bedroom producer: disconnected from any scene, making warm, ethereal electronic beats that were more contemplative than crowd-moving -- perfect headphone music. But the more he began connecting with other local artists (including DJ Babyshoe, with whom he co-founded Shoeboxx Records last year) and playing live, the more he realized he wanted to push himself further.
"I was playing out a lot more and wanting to make people move," says Banker. "It's a challenge to be more intentionally dance-y. I wanted to make an album that was ready for the live setting.... When I get to that part of the set, I can see the difference. It's still not where I would like it to be, but it's good."
And where would he like it to be?
"Just crazy."
