Hiya Francis, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
I can’t really separate a “before” and “after” music in my life.
I started singing when I was a little child, mostly influenced by the music my dad would play around the house. The very first songs I remember listening were by Bob Dylan, and I owe a lot to him musically.
However, I started releasing my first official songs this year, so I could say that’s when things really “started”. But the truth is, nothing really changed. My life has stayed exactly the same, yet.
Who are your favorite musicians and what kind of music do you usually listen to?
As I said before, Bob Dylan is one of my biggest inspirations, but Blur is definitely my favorite band (I am a huge Damon Albarn fan).
I’ve listened to all kinds of music through my life, from punk rock (I used to listen to a lot of NoFX as a kid) to hard rock and heavy metal (Led Zeppelin FTW). But for a while now, my heart’s been stuck mainly on indie rock and indie pop. I listen to a wide range of artists, from Elliott Smith to José González, Adam Green, Lana Del Rey, Djo… and I’m also a big fan of Billie Eilish.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
Sometimes it’s really exhausting, always having to keep posting and updating just to stay “visible” (we all know how the algorithm works, amirite?).
On the other hand, I do believe social media give us the chance to connect directly with our listeners. It’s like having a window that’s always open to the people supporting what you do. It’s a powerful tool.
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
I’m kind of a chaotic person, so I don’t really plan posts or anything. I just post my music and a few covers.
A friend of mine has been helping me with social media over the last few months, so things are finally starting to look more “organized” and it’s easier to connect with my audience.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
It’s a mix of opportunities and chaos. It’s definitely more accessible than ever, but still very competitive, so you need perseverance if you want to stand out.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I’m still a newbie figuring out how everything works, like a toddler taking their first steps. But I’m enjoying every single one of them.
Whats the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
The biggest thing I’ve learned recently is to focus on the music itself and not to get too distracted by numbers or social media. It’s easy to get caught up in likes and streams, but at the end of the days music is what really matter.
What was your best experience on stage?
I haven’t had the chance to perform on stage yet, except for a few mini gigs in front of my relatives when I was a kid, basically forcing them to listen to my songs or Green Day’s first albums.
What was your worst experience on stage?
The worst is yet to come.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I wear prescription sunglasses. Without them I wouldn’t see anything.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
My next single “Reef” is coming out in just a few days.
I’m working on more tracks too, but I’ll keep most of it under wraps for now!
What was the recording process like?
Recording “Anna Storm” and “Cherry Blossoms” was pretty easy, since most of the arrangements were ready. But “Reef” was more fun, ‘cause I spent time experimenting with sounds and arrangements.
In the end, I’m really happy with how it turned out.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Realizing that not everything that sounds good in my head will sound good on a track.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
As a perfectionist, I always spot things to tweak, but I’m learning to focus on conveying my emotions instead of obsessing over every tiny detail.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I just wanna thank you if you made it to the end of this interview.
And if you’d like to support my work be sure to follow me on my social pages!
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