Nottingham singer-songwriter follows debut single ‘World We Share’ with an intimate acoustic rock ballad, ahead of his debut album ‘Ex Libris Wayne Banks’ this November.
East Midlands based singer-songwriter Wayne Banks releases his second single, ‘Cold River’, following July’s debut solo single ‘World We Share’. The track is the penultimate release before his debut album, ‘Ex Libris Wayne Banks’, slated for release this November.
Hailing from Nottingham, Wayne Banks is a singer-songwriter and accomplished bass player whose long-standing musical career now culminates in his debut solo album. Blending alternative rock, folk and pop with a punk edge, Wayne Banks crafts a sound that is both dynamic and deeply personal, underpinned by lyrical themes of emotional realism and sharp social commentary.
A seasoned session musician, songwriter, musical director and TV composer, Banks has built an impressive résumé performing and recording with a diverse range of internationally respected artists, including Robin Gibb, Saxon and The Classic Rock Show. Now stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, Banks channels decades of experience into a debut release that promises authenticity, versatility and a bold artistic voice.
Wayne’s prior release and debut – ‘World We Share’ – saw success with regional publications like LeftLion, and I’m Not From London, alongside international coverage from TAGG, Vents Magazine, Music Times UK, helping to secure strong playlist placements across the world!
Where ‘World We Share’ looked outward at community and class, ‘Cold River’ turns inward. A singer/songwriter, folk rock and alternative rock offering built around an acoustic rock ballad, the track is a more intimate piece of writing, centred on what it means to stay beside someone through a difficult chapter of their life rather than trying to fix it for them.
The song began with a piece of acoustic guitar music from longtime collaborator James Cole. “The moment I heard it, a vocal melody and the first few lines just came to me instantly,” says Banks. “I built the rest of the lyrics around that initial spark. There’s something special about a song starting that way, it wasn’t forced, it just arrived.“
The song began with a piece of acoustic guitar music from longtime collaborator James Cole. “The moment I heard it, a vocal melody and the first few lines just came to me instantly,” says Banks. “I built the rest of the lyrics around that initial spark. There’s something special about a song starting that way, it wasn’t forced, it just arrived.“
Of the title itself, Banks explains: “The title is a metaphor for going through a hard time, the cold current representing struggle, hardship, or a difficult chapter someone is moving through. The song is about being there for someone as they navigate that river: not trying to pull them out or rush them to the other side, just staying close and making the crossing feel less lonely. You can’t always change the river someone’s in, but you can make sure they’re not walking through it alone.“
He adds: “The whole process reminded me why I love collaborating: sometimes someone else’s idea unlocks something in you that you couldn’t have found on your own.” Speaking on how the track fits within his wider songwriting, Wayne Banks notes that while his Nottingham upbringing continues to shape the bigger themes he returns to, community, being overlooked, standing by one another, ‘Cold River’ works on a smaller scale: “It’s not about a whole community, it’s about one relationship, one person showing up for another when it matters most.”