Alex Francis
I’ve heard of Alex Francis through a common friend (shout out James !!) and I’ve been meaning to feature him on my blog for a little while but I was waiting for the right time. Today felt like the right time because he has a new song out. It’s called “If I Can’t Have You” and it’s an instant smash. Co-written with Mark Taylor and Pat Mascall, the new single is inspired by that somebody you've got to have in your corner in order to be the best version of yourself.
“This song will always feel unique to me as it was one of three that were written remotely which I had never experienced before. I’d been growing my relationship with Patrick (Mascall, “Wait” JP Cooper) and Mark (Taylor “Broken Strings” James Morrison) breaking the ice and plumbing into emotional themes in the studio until we were forced out through lockdown in the UK, so we had to get immersed in our creative process with a handful of technical limitations challenging us to keep the work flow up. We weren’t able to create these songs quite as ‘laboriously’ as we might have done in the studio, but that put more fire into inspiring trying to write great music and ‘inherit’ the circumstances we were in. I’m incredibly proud of our output from that time and bringing these songs to life now is incredibly exciting for me, explains Francis.
“If I Can’t Have You” is the type of songs that will make you feel instantly good. It’s fun and infectious. Francis is an amazing talent who knows how to write truthful songs that will make you feel something. “If I Can’t Have You” feels like a new beginning for him and I can’t to hear what’s he’s going to offer next.
“If I Can’t Have You” is out now ! :)
Photo credit: @maxpatnellshoots
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Alex Francis and I'm a singer songwriter based in Hackney, London where I live with my partner Hanah, our daughter Honey and our dog Nigel. I'm originally from Hitchin, Hertfordshire about an hour outside of North London.
What did you grow up listening to?
Everything from Meat Loaf to Michael Jackson. My parents had pretty varied music taste but also some of the same, so everything melded together in and around the house. Super early memories are Billy Ocean cassette tapes in the car, or Bruce Springsteen vinyl anthologies blaring out through the patio doors on a summer's afternoon.
When did you know you could sing?
I remember my brother and I having recorded some versions of our favourite Black Crowes songs onto our 8 track recorder (that took a memory card - super old school) and playing them to some of my friends from school who basically asked me to "prove this is you singing" to which we booked some gigs! That was definitely an indicator to keep going..
When did you start writing songs?
Probably around age 16 or 17. I got into instruments and singing via learning covers of my favourite songs, which gave me and my friends the confidence to start groups and have a hack at writing our own stuff, which caused much creative debate in many sweaty rehearsal spaces!
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
I think because my brother and I got into music together, we kind of naturally got behind one another's individual "abilities" for what we were trying to create. That was probably super useful in terms of "pitching" and "proving" ourselves and our early bands to others and instilled some extra confidence in each of us in what we were trying to be.
What gave you the confidence to be an artist and release your original music?
I think having other people especially outside of my own social circle start to react and engage in my early live performances was a big thing for allowing my confidence in myself to build up. I think principally that factor has never gone away in terms of when new people attach to what I'm doing and want to compliment it. It's a great feeling.
What biggest lessons have you learned throughout your career?
Probably not to always go on gut feeling! Sometimes that's the absolute best thing to do, but I've certainly learned that a second thought and a moments perspective especially in music business can be very valuable in the long run.
"If I Can't Have You" is your latest single - what's the story/inspiration behind this single?
The song is inspired by that somebody you've got to have in your corner in order to be the best version of yourself. It's a love letter to that person however they might factor into your life. Not everybody needs a co-pilot, but so many do and we thought we could try and write something to represent that special person through the high and the low.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? When did you start working on it?
This one was conceived in the height of lockdown in summer of 2020 and it was written entirely remotely with my co-writers Mark Taylor and Pat Mascall on ZOOM. We had already started writing an album project of material before lockdown but we didn't want to lose our writing momentum so writing this song was a bit of a test as to whether we could still come up with something tangible even with limitations (mainly not being able to sit together and create it, such is my most preferred way of writing songs)
The production process started in February so we've been fortunate to get together in the studio under more familiar circumstances and piece it all together. I have great friends involved too who have contributed on several of my previous records. Just working everything out in the room as a team has been a joy not least because we weren't sure at one stage if we would be able to work like this again!
What did you feel when writing this song?
When we were writing the song I delved into many of favourite songs that really grip me with vocal delivery and the way that they serve the lyric. I listened to many of my favourite songs that do that in order to get inside a head space where my vocal on the song is really reflecting what the narrative is saying.
What made you want to release "If I Can't Have You" as a single?
This song for me has a great up tempo feel to it that felt right in terms of the first new release I want people to hear from what's to come!
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
The hardest part is sustaining everything that this life entails. The best part is succeeding in that!
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Attention span seems to be at an all-time low in terms of music consumption. I think I'd like to know that those who are finding new music (which they can do so easily now thanks to streaming services) take just a little bit more time to ingest it, song by song.
What advice would you give to artists out there?
I think the best advice I could give would be stay true to all of the things that get you the most excited about what you're doing, who you are and what makes you feel the most valuable to yourself. Everything else in the music industry isn't as important as that. If it doesn't fire you up, is it really worth it?
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Less judgment, more conversation. More education, less ignorance!
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
Just a re-iteration .."All we are saying, is give peace a chance."
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