Originating from Carbondale in southern Illinois, the Bankesters function as a family bluegrass ensemble that balances tradition with contemporary elements. Centered on the vocal harmonies of sisters Melissa Triplett and Emily Bankester, the group maintains a light instrumental approach without relying solely on gentle tones, as their self-penned material features solid songwriting and their reinterpretations prove inventive, such as the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" included on the 2017 album Nightbird.
The current configuration, consisting of fiddler/banjoist/vocalist Emily Bankester, mandolinist/fiddler/vocalist Alysha Bankester, bassist/vocalist Melissa Triplett, banjoist Kyle Triplett (spouse of Melissa), guitarist Phil Bankester, and Dorene Bankester, formed during the late 2000s. Prior to inking a deal with Compass Records, they issued three self-released projects titled Amen, There's a Higher Power, Somewhere in Between, and Sure as the Sun. Their Compass debut, 2012's Looking Forward, drew notice when the International Bluegrass Music Awards named Emily a nominee for Momentum Vocalist of the Year, which paved the way for 2013's Love Has Wheels. That release incorporated a rendition of "Cups (When I'm Gone)," the Anna Kendrick hit single from the 2012 film musical comedy Pitch Perfect, and the Bankesters' take earned modest airplay. Dorene had stepped back from full-time participation by the arrival of 2017's Nightbird.
