Meet The Emerging DIY Artist JW Francis
Emerging artist, JW Francis isn’t your typical artist living in New York. Along with being an impressive musician, Francis is also a NYC tour guide, Murder Mystery business owner and an assistant to a Nobel Prize Winner, to top it off. His impressive resume is just the cherry on top of his sundae of talent. Honing in on a DIY artistry, the singer songwriter has created a fantastic dream-pop sound that’s filled with infectious guitar lines and accompanied by nostalgic visuals.
Over the past 2 years JW has been hard at work playing close to 100 hundred shows across 5 different countries while simultaneously releasing engaging and heartfelt music. Fast forward to August and JW Francis is signed to one of the UK’s best independent labels and prepping for the release of his debut album. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for this multi-talented star.
We got to chat with JW about everything from living in Paris, his track ‘New York’, and so much more…
What’s your earliest music-related memory?
I was born to the song ‘Cannonball’ by the Breeders. My mother made a birthing playlist and that’s the song I came out to. I don’t remember this event exactly, but I remember being told about it.
We hear that you were raised in Paris? How did the music scene in France inspire your own music tastes while growing up?
Sadly I was quite removed from the music scene in France. For some reason I associate France with my torrenting phase. Like a lot of people I know I would torrent entire discographies of artists that I had heard of but never dipped into. My dad would make me mix CDs with Pavement, The Strokes, R.E.M., Sonic Youth etc. but I would be downloading the entire discography of a band like Queen.
What has been your favourite aspect of living in New York City? What are three differences that you’ve noticed between the Paris and NYC scenes?
My favourite aspect of any city is the people that live there. New York brings out the best in people. It also brings out the worst in people. It certainly doesn’t bring out the mediocre in people. I wish I had more to say on the scene in Paris, but I’m just not informed enough. Three differences, however, that I’ve noticed between Paris and NYC, that MUST have an effect on the music scenes:
1. Paris is a much more beautiful, kinder, human-scale city than New York is.
2. Paris has better bread and cheese, but New York has better pizza.
3. Both Parisians and New Yorkers are seen as rude, and that’s because they are. But we love that. I guess that’s not a difference.
How would you describe your sound?
I’ve had most success with this one: indie lofi jangle dream slacker bedroom rock. If you had to shorten it, ‘jangle dream’ sounds cool.
Okay, you’re an assistant to a Nobel Prize Winner, a licensed New York City tour guide, a murder mystery business owner, and singer/songwriter. First off, is there anything you can’t do? Second, how do you juggle all of these different hats?
First off, I can’t drive. Never been behind the wheel of a car. Never will be. Cars scare me.
Second, it is tough, for sure, but I love all of those things, especially singing and songwriting, so basically, I just never stop working. Surely, I will take a break at some point in my 40s.
Okay let’s talk about your latest track ‘New York’ – it’s fantastic! Can you take us through the creative process of the record?
It’s a very easy process. No matter what I’m doing I’m usually strumming a little guitar. I was feeling frustrated from all the aforementioned work I’m doing all of the time, and I let out a “AHHHHH” which became the chorus to this song. Once the song is written I record it with all of the instruments in my little bedroom and I send the demo to my producer Sahil Ansari. He says “Great, I’ve got ideas.” And then re-record the song from scratch in his studio and voila.
The video for the single has such a nostalgic feel to it. What was the inspiration behind the visual?
That was the genius of Clayton McCracken. I had started shooting VHS footage around New York. I was going to make a montage for this song, but then the lockdown happened so I started looking for public domain footage of the city. That’s when Clayton got in touch and it was his idea for me to scan myself so he could make me ‘fly’ around the city.
You have backing bands in L.A., San Francisco, Paris, Glasgow, New York & Puerto Rico. Absolutely amazing, how did you manage to secure this?
It’s very simple. I just tell people where I’m going and ask if anyone knows a drummer, or a bassist or a lead guitarist, etc. I send people the music ahead of time, we have one rehearsal day of the show and badda bing badda boom. So far it has never gone horribly.
What can fans expect from JW Francis in the coming months? An album or EP hopefully?
Yes exactly! They can expect a fresh single next month, and then my first full-length album in October. I’m very excited to get that out in the world. Thank you for having me and hopefully speak to you soon!
Make sure to check out JW Francis and his track ‘New York’ below…
