INTERVIEW: Dom Fricot — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Dom Fricot

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I always enjoy chatting with Dom Fricot because he…

reveals something new and fascinating. This time around, the Canadian songwriter has been discussing his new track, Echoes, and what the tale behind it is. I ask what we can expect from the upcoming mini-album, Deserts, and whether there are gigs planned.

Fricot reveals whether he is coming to the U.K. and what the scene is like in Vancouver; which artists he was raised on; if there are any new artists worth checking out; what he has planned for the remainder of the year – he ends the interview with a pretty cool song.

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Hi, Dom. How are you? How has your week been?

Been great. Just got back to the Netherlands after a nice month of playing shows on the road in Canada. Been writing with the Folk Road Show and enjoying the arrival of spring.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Dom Fricot, I’m from a small town in BC, Canada called Salmon Arm. I’ve been in and out of bands since my late-teens and am currently putting out my third solo studio effort, Deserts.

The video for Echoes is out. I believe it was shot in Nepal. Were you there touring/playing at the time?

I wasn’t, no. I’ve never actually been. The filmmaker, who was interested in making a video for Echoes, was shooting other projects in Uganda and Nepal and pitched me a very loose concept for the video. Originally, I think he was going to do the project in Uganda - and just ended up having a better chance to do it in Nepal.

What were the people like who feature in the video? Was it a memorable experience?

As I wasn’t there, I can only speak from what Dwight has told me. I’m sure it was, yes.

Echoes is from the E.P./mini-album, Deserts. Is there going to be more material from the E.P. released into the world?

Yes. I had slotted to put out the entire eight tracks in March, but the label, Knight Vision Records (Warner) approached me and wanted to put out the album. So, some of the plans shifted a little. We’re putting out Deserts now in three parts: Pt. 1 was released digitally on April 5 and Part II should be out later this month.

What was it like recording the E.P.? What sort of themes were you inspired by during that time?

The E.P. was pretty exciting to make. We took a quite minimal approach, largely building around my Rhodes, loop station and vocal parts. The last ingredients were merely some synth, mostly bass and then Classical strings.

In terms of creativity and music; are you working on new stuff right now?

At the moment, I’m writing with my other project for Folk Road Show’s next album. I like to have about three times the material than what ends up getting recorded, so we’re in the middle of a lot of writing. It’s feeling pretty fresh and inspired, which is great.

Which artists did you grow up around? Give me a sense of the music you were raised on…

I have older sisters who were into everything from Wilson Phillips to Milli Vanilli and New Kids (on the Block) to Jon Secada, Janet Jackson and, of course, Phil Collins (smiles). My mother was a Beatles lover through and through – but, later she got into some strange stuff like Tony Byrd and Francis Cabrel.

Vancouver is where you are from. Are there a lot of great artists working in the city right now?

Oh yeah; always have been. Right now, man; so many stellar acts: Bend Sinister, Peach Pit; We Are the City, Lion Bear Fox; REGAL (ahem…side project); Young Blood, JP Maurice; Savvie and Fraankie. Such a wealth of talent - I know I’m missing so many...

Do you have any gigs lined up? Are you heading to the U.K. this year?

I’m moving into a period of touring with the Folk Road Show in May/June and back to Canada with them for the end of July and August. Then, back to some more solo touring. Balancing is tough. I need a manager. Any takers? (smiles).

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

Seems lofty...but I’d like to get over a million plays on songs off of Deserts. Haven’t decided which: I’m just starting off by putting that into the universe.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I wrote my high-school grad song with a good friend. We performed it in front of a few thousand people with only an acoustic guitar. Playing it in a packed arena was nuts. When they jumped up to applaud, I nearly fell over. The rush was so huge.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Look for fellow musicians who you feel creative sparks with; people who push you to see and hear things differently and work hard to push each other.