Interpol is an indie rock band hailing from New York who formed in 1997. Their distinct sound is accompanied by the unique baritone voice of the lead singer Paul Banks. His vocal technique has become a trademark of the Interpol sound which has gained the band an international following.

Here are some practical tips to help you sing like Paul Banks:

1. Breathing Techniques

   Banks' unique vocal style is characterised by long and drawn-out notes. To achieve this sing from your diaphragm and focus on breathing from your belly. Singing from your diaphragm will help you produce sound with greater resonance and power.

2. Mouth Placement

   Whilst singing with your mouth closed may feel natural, Paul Banks opens his mouth wide while singing with Interpol. This technique adds depth to his vocals, simultaneously creating a bigger sound. Try opening your mouth a little wider when singing to experience the difference.

3. Pitch Accuracy

   Interpol's discography often features high pitched vocals that are easy for singers to interpret. To improve pitch accuracy, nothing beats practice! Sing along to songs like Obstacle 1, or Evil, at home and use Singing Carrots online tools and vocal exercise videos to identify notes.

4. Focus on Vowels

   Paul Banks uses a unique vocal technique where he sings vowels more dynamically. This enhances resonance, and makes the vocals sound striking and distinct. Try practicing his vocal projection on songs like Rest My Chemistry, and Barricade.

5. Musicianship

   Good musicianship underpins Paul Banks' vocal excellence. Knowing how to read sheet music, playing instruments and listening to music across different genres enhances the learning experience. Singing Carrots offers a singing course which includes instruction on music theory if you want to improve your musicianship.

To achieve a distinctive vocal style similar to Paul Banks of Interpol, you must be able to incorporate a range of musical techniques. These include the effective use of your diaphragm, opening your mouth wide, and focusing on vowels. Developing pitch accuracy takes practice and time, and a good grounding in basic vocal musicianship. Remember to use Singing Carrots resources to improve your abilities, including online exercises and our singing course.

For further reading you may find these resources useful:

• Voice types
• Breathing basics
• Vocal range test
• Vocal Pitch Monitor
• Pitch Training: Interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizer, and exercises for range and agility.
• Vocal health
• Educational singing course

Thank you for considering Singing Carrots on your vocal journey. Keep practicing!