Robert Francis will send shivers through the music community digitally
August 24, 2009 by MusicThread
Filed under Country, Pop, Press
“The emotion he conveys while singing resembles that of a hardened performer who has been on the scene for decades. So perfect, in fact, that I have listened to this record 10 times in the last 2 days.” - Entertainment Weekly
“He has laid himself out in song and created some incredibly moving and beautiful musical moments.” - NPR
LISTEN TO ROBERT FRANCIS’ SINGLE “DARKNESS” OFF OF BEFORE NIGHTFALL
LA’s rock scene is giving Wisconsin a run for its money with multi-instrumentalist and producer Robert Francis. At 19 years old he wowed NPR with his rusty honest style and heartfelt lyrics. Cradling you in between the chords of his guitar and spooning your emotions with wickedly beautiful melodies Robert’s new album Before Nightfall is going to send shivers through the music community digitally on September 22nd, with the physical release on October 20th.
Before Nightfall is his follow up album to the 2007 record One By One and is his first album on Atlantic Records. Featuring fellow musician Graham Lathrop on pedal steel guitar, backing vocals by his sisters’ Juliette and Carla Commagere and Francis on keys, mellotron, Hammond B3, Wurlitzer, Farsfisa organ and Solina Synth the lush layers of lullabies flow together into one solid record. Whether he is crooning his way through the thick fog of misery or spinning poetry about running from the cops Robert’s music is like a magnet to your senses. Before Nightfall glows with an earthy, homespun quality that draws on everything from country, to folk, to blues, to roots rock. The intimate sound is deliberate, Francis says. “On the records I love, the vocals are right there. It sounds like you’re in the room with the person and all the other instruments support the story.”
To help him achieve that immediacy, Francis enlisted Grammy Award-winning producer D. Sardy (Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marilyn Manson, among many others), whom he credits with “helping me come into my own with my voice. Sardy helped me sing out and make the vocals as raw and intense as possible. He was not the guy who was going to spend three hours on some crazy synth sound. He was the guy who said, ‘Let’s do this — but just you guys. Let’s make an old-school rock record.’”
Robert Francis Tour Dates
8/19- The Drake Hotel Underground- Toronto
8/21-Bowery Ballroom - New York City
8/22-World Cafe Live- Philadelphia, PA
8/23-IOTA Club and Cafe- Arlington, VA
8/24-Pianos- New York City
8/27- Schuba’s- Chicago, IL
8/28- The Walnut Room- Denver, CO
*With Priscilla Ahn
For more information on Robert Francis, please visit:
