Sonic Marvel is the professional name of emerging independent electronic music producer, Ryan Banks. The Germantown, Maryland beatmaker made his solo recording debut in 2022 with the ten-track LP Press Start. That record introduced a genre-bending artist with a taste for classic soul vibes and lo-fi hip-hop grooves.
Although he is new to the business, Sonic Marvel’s musical journey started in childhood. He taught himself to play piano by ear when he was just 10 years old. His early interest was inspired by video game music, a fact to which the artist pays homage with the ‘Sonic’ of his moniker.
As he got older and dug deeper into the craft of music making, the talented young creator explored the work of legendary producers like Quincy Jones, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, J Dilla, Jake One, The Alchemist, Nottz, Bink!, and Just Blaze. He spent hours listening to their music, as well as the mixtapes of independent artists making beats on their own.
On April 18, 2023 Sonic Marvel will drop his sophomore release Project M.A.R.V.E.L, with the advance single “Wake up” on the way. On the record, Banks continues his sonic explorations laid-back grooves and chill r&b moods. In his world, electric pianos and jazz guitars ride boom-bap drums while ethereal synths float downtempo downtempo trap beats. Trip-hop meets hip-hop in a cool neo-soul instrumental vibe.
Check out Sonic Marvel’s album Press Start in its entirety below. You can also hear the tracks “Alone in the Dark” and “Point of View” on the Deep Indie Chill playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Sonic Marvel. Get on his socials and get ready for the brand new album Project M.A.R.V.E.L, coming 4/18/23.
