INTERVIEW:
FRANKIIE
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ONE can sense a real closeness…
and intuition in the camp of FRANKIIE. The Vancouver quartet talks to me about their current song, Glory Me, and what it was like putting it together. They tell me what comes next, material-wise, and what it was like working with Jason Corbett on their latest cut; if they have any touring dates cemented – if the U.K. is part of that...
They reveal how they came back from a possible break-up and why, now, they feel stronger than ever; why Vancouver is producing lots of great music; whether, they feel, there needs to be a greater focus on female artists – they take me back to the first days of FRANKIIE….
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
It’s been a great week! Lots of good band hangs. We’ve been in the studio finishing off the last tracks for our upcoming album.a
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
We are a four-piece Dream-Rock band from Vancouver who has been at it for four years. We’ve got Francesca on Vocals and Guitar; Nashlyn on Vocals and Keys, Samantha on Bass and Zoe on Drums.
Glory Me is your new track. What is the background/story of the song?
That song was written by Fran after she got home late one night - and the words just kind of came flowing out. It’s really (just) a contemplation between being present and anticipating the afterlife.
The album of the same name is completed. Are there certain themes that tie the album together?
The album is actually not quite completed…
We are in the final stages of recording and mixing the last tracks. All the songs tend to centre on the feelings of a loss in direction, or contemplating meaning and purpose.
Is it true you worked alongside Jason Corbett on the record? What did he bring to the record?
He really brought a lot of laughter and fun-lovin’ times. Haha. He’s also got a really great ear and very awesome intuition about what to add or take away from each song. He also has a great sense of how we want to sound.
He can capture our true vibe while also pushing us to get it to the next level.
How did FRANKIIE get together? When did you all meet?
We came together as a band two weeks before our first show. Fran had a solo show booked and did a jam with Zoe. They realized it would be more fun to have keys and bass as well - and brought in Nash and Sam.
I understand you drifted apart and, after several E.P.s, wondered whether the group would survive. Was that a particularly tough time? What brought you all back together?!
After we put out our E.P.; we played a lot of shows around our hometown and did a bunch of D.I.Y. tours. It was really fun but, after a while, it got tough to keep the momentum up. We all had other things we wanted to explore as well and took some time to travel without each other. It turned out to be a very valuable time for our individual lives and, ultimately, re-energized us when we did start going for it again.
We never really stopped playing together entirely: we, mostly, (just) had a lull in momentum. Looking back at that time; it is probably a natural part of band life - though it was confusing at times.
You must be all looking ahead now. Do you feel you are stronger than you have ever been?
Yes, definitely! Working with Jason Corbett has really given us some fresh energy - as well as our new managers at Tiny Kingdom. Realizing that our team is building and that our songs are sounding better than they ever have before…we are really looking forward to getting back into playing again.
There is loads of great music coming from Vancouver. What is it about the city that produces so many great artists?!
Vancouver has a small community of artists but the ones that are in it seem to be really dedicated.
Our scene could probably, still, use some more collaborative energy - but it is definitely, slowly developing. More and more people are coming out to each other’s show and co-writing or co-producing. It’s really great. Plus; we also have the best mountains and ocean. If we ever need inspiration, it’s not hard to find it out in nature…
It was, recently, International Women’s Day. How important is it to raise awareness of female artists? Do you think there are changes coming into the industry?
It’s definitely an interesting time for women in the entertainment industry, overall. We haven’t really had a lot of issues so far being women in the music industry - and have actually found that people generally treat us as equals.
But; it is nice to have open conversations about some of the awkward things that do happen from time to time. It’s just a nicer environment for everyone when people are able to talk openly about what’s cool and what’s not cool.
Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?
We are not planning extensive touring until we put out the full album in the late-summer/early-fall. Though out the summer, we will be playing shows and festivals around our home province and planning out the album release.
Will you come to the U.K. and tour here soon?
I really hope so! If any bookers out there are into some Dream-Rock vibes, please get in touch (smiles).
What do you all hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?
Mostly, we all seem to want to find balance and presence in both our individual lives and in our band lives. Sometimes things can seem overwhelming when we are working on both band life and on our own individual projects. For example, Zoe is recording drums this weekend and opening a new clothing store next week. We have to remember to stay in the moment when good things are happening (and not get ahead of ourselves).
Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
It was pretty fun playing at the Todos Santos Music Festival in the Southern Baja of Mexico. We stayed for a week and rented out a place by the beach - did some surfing, sun tanning and drank a bunch of margaritas! The bands at the festival were so great. It was a rare opportunity to meet great bands from Mexico City as well. We hope we can get back down there someday!
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Our advice would be (just) jump in and start doing it! We definitely were not perfect when we first started - and we still aren’t. The only way to have fun playing music is to forget about perfection and go for it.
IN THIS PHOTO: Art d'Ecco
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Art d’Ecco, Peach Pit and LEATHERS!
IN THIS PHOTO: Peach Pit/PHOTO CREDIT: Lester Lyons-Hookham
Do you guys get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
We still all have day jobs or business to run right now. Haha. So, between that and music; there is not much time left over. We’re really hoping, at some point, we can take some time away from jobs and make music our full-time thing. Seems like we are getting closer to that reality…
At least for a while...
Finally, and for being good sports; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Glory Me is the only one out so far! We have a new single coming out the last week of April as well, so stay tuned!
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Follow FRANKIIE
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/frankiietheband
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/frankiietheband
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/frankiietheband/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqt-mCLKKMpkrl9Sp2MFa-A
SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/frankiietheband
Spotify: