RUSTIC ROOTS: JOEL FRANCIS
Whirling amid raw acoustic tones and slick sound production, our fave Rustic Roots export for January, Joel Francis, is smashing the South West gigging scene.
ARIA caught up with him a few weeks before his Bradford Roots Festival gig, for a good’ol chin wag, on his thoughts of the current music industry, the life of a ‘serial gigger’ and giving you aspirational musicians some tips and tricks to cheer you along the bumpy ride.
What are your main inspirations/what is your music about?
I tend to write about other people's experiences or take inspiration from other songs simply because at this point in my life I find it hard to be completely happy with songs I write about myself in case I express myself badly or dishonestly.
Any pre-show rituals you do to calm your nerves?
Not particularly! However I always like to travel to the gig by myself and have a little sing in the car just to relax and organise my thoughts.
Which artists are at the top of their game right now who you admire?
Two artists I'm really enjoying at the moment are Childish Gambino and Ady Suleiman. Two very different artists but so impressive in their own respects. CG for his insight and intellect in his music, and AS for bringing back what I like to call 'make-you-smile music'.
Where would be your dream venue for a gig & why?
I'm not really too familiar with a lot of different venues as I’m still quite a local act but a dream stage for the future would be the O2 in Bristol, having seen Jack Garratt and Saint Raymond on that stage it would be great to think I could reach that level!
Who would you love to collaborate with & what track would you sing?
It would be a dream come true to sing with my favourite musician in the world, Jason Mraz. Many people know him from 'I'm yours' or 'I won’t give up' but having listened to all of his albums start to finish hundreds of times, singing any one of his songs with Mr.A-Z himself would be incredible.
What's your opinion on pop music out at the moment?
I don't like hating on pop music too much because I do enjoy a share of it, however I do find it very samey hearing verse to chorus to a synthesized 'drop' or electronic instrumental in almost every hit song. That being said there are a handful of artists that do it impressively well.
Do you think the music industry is in trouble with the rise of streaming music online?
I certainly do. After having a very rare and impromptu chat with Midge Ure not too long ago, I learned that now record labels can't just sign 10 artists and hope for the best, they have to sign the tried and tested 'next Adele' who is definitely going to make them money. I do believe that this lack of money in the industry is down to the rise of streaming.
What's your first memory of playing music?
I guess I really started playing when I learned ukulele just so I could produce some music to sing along to. The ukulele led to learning guitar using my Dad's old Yamaha and here I am now gigging with my own original music!
What's your favourite part of gigging?
I would have to say the feedback at the end of a good gig is so underrated. There's nothing better for the heart than stepping off stage and being greeted by audience members who congratulate you on a great show. It really means the world to any musician you ask.
What would you say to anyone who is thinking of writing their own music/gigging?
I would say don't try too hard to be an artist that you're not. Take the time to find your style and discover what type of music your talent drifts towards. Play to your strengths.
Where do you see yourself and your music in a year's time?
With fingers crossed hopefully I'll be playing more gigs in the centre of Bristol, trying to create a fan base and as always - learning more and more about the world of music and bettering myself in any way possible.
You can catch Joel on the Box Steam stage, at the Bradford Roots Festival, Saturday 14th January, 14:30, you’d be a melon to miss it!