THE MUSE SERIES: I
"Introducing my inaugural piece in Porter Lyons’s Muse Series: Inspired by the magnetic Tarriona "Tank" Ball, lead vocalist of Tank and the Bangas. Tank's essence — a fusion of grace, unparalleled talent, and a profound spiritual depth — sparked my imagination to create this ethereal piece.
Tank's philosophy, that every individual possesses an extraordinary spark, served as the cornerstone for this creation. She envisions a world where everyone is empowered to achieve greatness, support one another, and spread their wings, all interconnected within the same existential tapestry. Tank's own inspiration, her father, whom she visualizes in the clouds, is woven into the narrative of this piece. It's a homage to the mentors and guides in our lives who pave our paths and inspire us to elevate others. Crafted to kindle that very spark in the wearer, this piece is a symbol of aspiration, legacy, and the communal journey to greatness.
Limited to a mere five exclusive pieces, our first Muse Series edition encapsulates the spirit of inspiring female figures in the arts, each piece a testament to their influence and a beacon for
those who wear them."
– Ashley Porter, Porter Lyons Founder + Designer
"Introducing my inaugural piece in Porter Lyons’s Muse Series: Inspired by the magnetic Tarriona "Tank" Ball, lead vocalist of Tank and the Bangas. Tank's essence — a fusion of grace, unparalleled talent, and a profound spiritual depth — sparked my imagination to create this ethereal piece.
Tank's philosophy, that every individual possesses an extraordinary spark, served as the cornerstone for this creation. She envisions a world where everyone is empowered to achieve greatness, support one another, and spread their wings, all interconnected within the same existential tapestry. Tank's own inspiration, her father, whom she visualizes in the clouds, is woven into the narrative of this piece. It's a homage to the mentors and guides in our lives who pave our paths and inspire us to elevate others. Crafted to kindle that very spark in the wearer, this piece is a symbol of aspiration, legacy, and the communal journey to greatness.
Limited to a mere five exclusive pieces, our first Muse Series edition encapsulates the spirit of inspiring female figures in the arts, each piece a testament to their influence and a beacon for
those who wear them."
– Ashley Porter, Porter Lyons Founder + Designer
The one of a kind, limited edition Goddess Wing Necklaces: each a celebration of women, of art, and of the magic that happens when inspiration meets imagination.
The one of a kind, limited edition Goddess Wing Necklaces: each a celebration of women, of art, and of the magic that happens when inspiration meets imagination.
Meet the Muse: Q+A with Tank Ball and PL Designer, Ashley Porter
Meet the Muse: Q+A with Tank Ball and PL Designer, Ashley Porter
Ashley Porter: Tell us about yourself. Who is Tank from Tank and the Bangas?
Tank Ball: She is Grammy-nominated, voiceover for your favorite cartoons on Netflix, she is New Orleans born and raised, red beans-fed, a great friend, daughter, giver, sweet, honest, caring, loving, spoiler in her own way, loves to eat, loves to eat New Orleans food particularly, loves the clothes, loves life and my family and beautiful things. I’m a collector of beautiful things and memories.
Ashley Porter: I know that you’re a musician and a beautiful poet as well, and you’ve dovetailed both of these into your profession today and it’s very inspiring to see. Not everyone can do that. Could you tell us your journey about how you first realized you had these talents and how you used them to get to where you are today?
Tank Ball: I think it definitely had to be my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. That moment was so special because I was supposed to do a poem for their anniversary and I forgot it in front of everybody. I kept looking at the poem, putting down the paper, looking at it – but my grandmother took me to every church before my grandfather would preach and I would do this poem until I got it absolutely perfect. It just gave me confidence so young, even when the other kids were laughing at me because of the way I spoke and the way I projected my voice. But I was thinking “you need to watch because my grandma believes in me and if she believes in me then I’ve got something really dope to show you here.” It made such a great path in my life of positivity, poetry, meeting friends that I’ve held onto for a lifetime. It loved me first. It loved me before even music loved me. Though I’ve been singing since I was a child, I didn’t think that I had the best voice but poetry just came so naturally to me and then when I became part of a really special team in New Orleans, the Poetry Team, we combined music and poetry - Team SNO Slam New Orleans. After we won all the major competitions, that’s when I knew it was time for me to find the Bangas.
Ashley: Tell us about yourself. Who is Tank from Tank and the Bangas?
Tank: She is Grammy-nominated, voiceover for your favorite cartoons on Netflix, she is New Orleans born and raised, red beans-fed, a great friend, daughter, giver, sweet, honest, caring, loving, spoiler in her own way, loves to eat, loves to eat New Orleans food particularly, loves the clothes, loves life and my family and beautiful things. I’m a collector of beautiful things and memories.
Ashley: You’re a musician and a beautiful poet as well, and you’ve dovetailed both of these into your profession today and it’s very inspiring to see. Not everyone can do that. Could you tell us your journey about how you first realized you had these talents and how you used them to get to where you are today?
Tank: It definitely had to be my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. That moment was so special because I was supposed to do a poem for their anniversary and I forgot it in front of everybody. But my grandmother took me to every church before my grandfather would preach and I would do this poem until I got it absolutely perfect. It just gave me confidence so young, even when the other kids were laughing at me because of the way I spoke and the way I projected my voice. But I was thinking “you need to watch because my grandma believes in me and if she believes in me then I’ve got something really dope to show you here.” It made such a great path in my life of positivity, poetry, meeting friends that I’ve held onto for a lifetime. It loved me first. It loved me before even music loved me. Though I’ve been singing since I was a child, I didn’t think that I had the best voice but poetry just came so naturally to me and then when I became part of a really special team in New Orleans, the Poetry Team, we combined music and poetry - Team SNO Slam New Orleans. After we won all the major competitions, that’s when I knew it was time for me to find the Bangas.
AP: Where does the name Tank and the Bangas come from?
TB: Tank is a family nickname that the world just happens to know now, which is hilarious. My name is Tarriona because my dad’s name is Terry. It’s kind of crazy that the world is like “Hey Tank” like they grew up with me. It feels natural now, honestly. If somebody called me Tarriona on the street it would probably be more interesting!
I found the Bangas at an open mic called Black Star Books and Cafe. They had a house band there called the Black Star Bangas and we began to make music together and travel the world and other musicians joined in so the Black Star Bangas became even bigger. I was honestly the last man standing after life just got in the way, moving overseas, family, I just stayed with it. I never even liked the name for us. But a tank bangs and my dad gave me the nickname Tank, and he died so early I never really was able to ask him why but it works. It’s crazy the way it all turned out perfectly together without intentionally trying to do that.
AP: You have toured all over the world, I know that you just wrapped on up. What are three essentials you can’t live without while you’re on tour?
TB: My makeup bag, like hello. I wouldn’t leave my makeup bag; I have everything in there. A really good bra, I mean come on. And what’s the last thing? My toothbrush. I’m all about the teeth.
AP: What is your favorite place in New Orleans? The World?
TB: My favorite place in New Orleans is my house, Jesus. I love to be at home. I do love to be in the Quarter too but I love to be at home. I know that it’s a place that I made. I’m proud of it because as a woman living alone, as an entrepreneur, I got this. I made this happen for myself before any husband came along. I take care of myself and that’s just such a big beautiful thing and an accomplishment and in my head I thought “when I get my own house, when I am able to sustain my lifestyle with music and poetry, that’s when I’ll know I’ve made it.”
I love Spain and I love Amsterdam. Spain has amazing paella, it ain’t nothing but jambalaya.
AP: You have toured all over the world, I know that you just wrapped one up. What are three essentials you can’t live without while you’re on tour?
TB: My makeup bag, like hello. I wouldn’t leave my makeup bag; I have everything in there. A really good bra, I mean come on. And what’s the last thing? My toothbrush. I’m all about the teeth.
AP: What is your favorite place in New Orleans? The World?
TB: My favorite place in New Orleans is my house, Jesus. I love to be at home. I do love to be in the Quarter too but I love to be at home. I know that it’s a place that I made. I’m proud of it because as a woman living alone, as an entrepreneur, I got this. I made this happen for myself before any husband came along. I take care of myself and that’s just such a big beautiful thing and an accomplishment and in my head I thought “when I get my own house, when I am able to sustain my lifestyle with music and poetry, that’s when I’ll know I’ve made it.”
I love Spain and I love Amsterdam. Spain has amazing paella, it ain’t nothing but jambalaya.
AP: What thing or person has been the most inspiring to you?
TB: At different moments, definitely my friends. Yeah, my best friends are amazing. They are amazing cooks, beautiful spirits, just good women, good friends. At different points in their lives they all have been just on one and I’m like yeah. At one point, one of my friends was baking delicious, amazing, big cakes, my other friend was going for her nursing degree, and my other friend quit her job and lost everything and I saw her gain it all back double. They are inspiring women.
AP: In three words, how would you describe your personal style?
TB: Oh man, Tank, Tarriona, and I can’t even say the third one. Tank is on stage mostly, but there’s two Tanks because there’s the one that’s on stage and it’s just whatever just colorful, cool, whatever, right like wacky. And then I have Tarriona when I want to go on a date and I want to put on a sexy dress and I want to feel like a woman. And then I have the moments where I will just, it’s a ponytail to the back of the hair, it’s some sweats and a shirt and I’m probably going to wear that for like days.
AP: What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own and what does it remind you of or bring you back to when you wear it?
TB: It’s definitely a diamond heart necklace I have. It was just one of the first pieces I got where I feel like I just dropped a little change on it! And I felt accomplished, like look at me getting a piece! When I treat myself to a piece of jewelry, in my mind I HAVE to love it and have zero regret and be like “I want you and I’m getting you ‘cause I earned you and I deserve you.” That’s how I feel about jewelry. I love the song ‘Diamonds are Forever’ because when you actually hear the verse and she was like “diamonds won’t pick up and leave me, diamonds are forever” and she compares diamonds to men, they won’t walk in and out of your life, they’ll always be here and they’ll always hold their value.
AP: What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own and what does it remind you of or bring you back to when you wear it?
TB: It’s definitely a diamond heart necklace I have. It was just one of the first pieces I got where I feel like I just dropped a little change on it! And I felt accomplished, like look at me getting a piece! When I treat myself to a piece of jewelry, in my mind I HAVE to love it and have zero regret and be like “I want you and I’m getting you ‘cause I earned you and I deserve you.” That’s how I feel about jewelry. I love the song ‘Diamonds are Forever’ because when you actually hear the verse and she was like “diamonds won’t pick up and leave me, diamonds are forever” and she compares diamonds to men, they won’t walk in and out of your life, they’ll always be here and they’ll always hold their value.