Photo: Jeremy Tauriac

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Tank And The Bangas' Favorite Backstage Snack Is A Homemade Treat From A Band Member's Mom
New Orleans quartet Tank and the Bangas love their hometown cuisine, but one of their top road snacks hits even closer to home: It comes straight from bandmate Albert Allenback's mom's kitchen.
With about a decade of road experience under their belt, Tank and the Bangas — a funk, soul and jazz group led by singer Tarriona "Tank" Ball — have come up with an important set of essentials that helps them feel at home on the road.
In this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, the bandmates explain the thought process behind their special on-tour requests, sharing that they think of every detail of backstage comfort, from food to ambience.
"The main thing that's on the rider for me that I specifically ask for is a roasted chicken. You heard me. Two of 'em… and a candle!" Ball says with a laugh, explaining that having the latter item handy is a pro tip from someone who spends a lot of time in backstage dressing rooms.
"Sometimes, some of the rooms, you know, they smell a little funky," she continues. "And you'd be like, 'I want a little candle.' It's not even to go sit in the corner and pray or anything. Any smell will normally do. They always smell good. Sometimes I take 'em back to the room with me, sometimes I don't."
Of course, nothing helps the bandmates feel like they're at home more than having a taste of home cooking — which is why it's a special treat for everyone when flutist and alto saxophone player Albert Allenback invites his mom out to a show.
"She brings Rice Krispies treats for the whole band," Allenback beams, as his bandmates jump in to stress that they're not store-bought. She makes them from scratch, including a plate of special vegan Rice Krispies treats for Allenback. "She is now showing up with, like, 15-lb bricks of Rice Krispies, and we hand them out to everybody," he adds.
Press play on the video above to hear all of Tank and the Bangas' tour faves, including the "big high five" of gratification they feel after performing a show. Keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.
Thee Sacred Souls' Self-Titled Debut Is A Sweet Soul Love Story

Photo: Aham Ibeleme
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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: 1da Banton Reveals His Secret Ingredients To Staying Happy While On Tour
Nigerian singer 1da Banton shares the two things he needs on every tour, and why his fans play a huge role in the joy he feels on the road.
It's common to feel a few nerves when you're standing on stage in front of thousands of people. That's why when Nigerian singer 1da Banton goes on tour, he stays grounded by bringing a close group of friends and family members for support.
"I always love to have my people around me. It's like a morale booster," Banton shares in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. But friends aren't the only things keeping him motivated — he also emphasizes having his usual snack of choice, a sausage roll, backstage at all times.
Good friends and delicious snacks aside, Banton likes to give himself a pep talk before finally hitting the stage every night. "I [tell] myself: 'You got this. This is what you've been preparing for your entire life,'" Banton says.
Throughout his performances, he maintains his stamina from the fans' energy, which also happens to be his favorite part of being on tour. "I can feel the energy from the crowd," Banton explains. "Hearing them sing the songs gives me a lot of joy. My fans are family."
Press play on the video above to learn more about 1da Banton's tour life and passion for performing, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg
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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Fortune Feimster's Tour Rider Includes This Southern Snack Staple
Comedian Fortune Feimster can't hit the road without red SOLO cups and a bag of ice, two items that remind her of her North Carolina roots.
Between her career as a stand-up comedian, actress, radio host, and podcaster, Fortune Feimster is always on the go. So when she puts together her tour rider, she makes sure to include items that will make every venue feel like her home away from home.
At the top of her list are water, a red SOLO cup, and ice. "I'm from North Carolina. I have to take it back to my roots," Feimster shares in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.
Without the influence of her partner, Feimster says she would include her favorite guilty pleasure snacks, Snickers and Doritos. "[My wife is] like, 'How about an apple, some almond butter, and cashews?'" Feimster laughs.
Feimster also likes to have an iced cortado, a coffee that's equal parts espresso and milk. Although it might not be feasible, she emphasizes that she would love to bring a portable café to every stop. "In Milwaukee, they have their own coffee shop backstage with a barista," she explains. "If I could get really fancy, I'd somehow have a coffee-barista situation with me."
Press play on the video to find out the complete story behind Fortune Feimster's appetizing tour rider, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

Photo: KONNECT Entertainment
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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Yuju Reveals The Cozy Items That Keep Her Calm On Tour
K-pop star Yuju dishes on her favorite clothes, foods and scents that help her stay grounded while she's on the road.
Since starting her solo career in early 2022, South Korean singer Yuju has released her first mini-album, appeared on multiple soundtracks, and served as an MC on a Korean variety show. So when the multihyphenate adds a tour to her mixed bag, she prioritizes her comfort and relaxation.
In this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, Yuju shares some of the essentials — from cozy pink slippers to gummy candies — that keep her grounded while she's on the road.
"When I take a rest, if I'm with this kind of soft light rather than a harsh light, I feel more relaxed," Yuju explains, showing off her mood lamp.
The former GFriend member also brings a rose-scented perfume, but she notes that she wasn't always a fan of the item in her childhood. "At some point, I fell in love with the rose scent," she shares. "I spray it on my bedding sometimes and use it often when I feel nervous, so it runs out quickly, and I have to buy a lot."
Despite the nerves she might feel while on tour, seeing her fans makes it worthwhile. "The best thing about performing live is that I can make eye contact with my fans," she says. "It's a good feeling of tension and excitement that I can only feel at that moment."
Press play on the video above to learn more about Yuju's life on tour, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

Photo: Courtesy of Tank and The Bangas
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Press Play: Tank And The Bangas Deliver A Vulnerable, Sultry Performance Of "Heavy"
Tank and The Bangas highlight the importance of communication and trust with this intimate performance of "Heavy."
For Tank and The Bangas frontwoman Tarriona "Tank" Ball, honest communication is king. But even if that isn't always easy to practice in her personal life, it always comes through in her group's music — and that's exactly the case with "Heavy."
"Heavy on your love/ Heavy on your trust in me/ Heavy on communication/ Honesty," Tank sings on the track, a B-side from their latest album, Red Balloon. It's an understated, yet powerful statement that characterizes the foundation of any healthy relationship.
In this episode of Press Play, the group shares the importance of an open dialogue with a sultry performance of "Heavy." As Tank stands front and center at the microphone, The Bangas — Joshua Johnson, Norman Spence II, and Albert Allenback — evoke a casual, intimate atmosphere to help put the song's vulnerable message at the forefront.
Red Balloon is Tank and The Bangas' third studio album and serves as a successor to their 2019 release, Green Balloon. The project earned the group their second GRAMMY nomination, as it's up for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 2023 GRAMMYs.
Press play on the video above to watch Tank and The Bangas' performance of "Heavy," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.