Interview: New Zealand Based Artist/Producer Manu Francois Talks About His New Song "Fire Love"
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“...the song “Fire Love” is inspired by the calling for expressions of love and freedom. Particularly in a spiritual sense. Although many of us feel the presence of the divine in our life more or less from time to time...”
Congratulations on the release of your new song “Fire Love”; tell us about what inspired you to write the song and who produced it.
Thank you very much! Yes the song “Fire Love” is inspired by the calling for expressions of love and freedom. Particularly in a spiritual sense. Although many of us feel the presence of the divine in our life more or less from time to time, there still is a distance between us and that that is our source, our Creator. And the cultural differences that we live with make the expressions of Divine recognition a bit of a mine-field.
So this song was created in and around that sense.
How would you say that the music you create as a solo artist is different from that of your band ZoLeKa?
Well, for those who don't know. I play in a band called ZoLeKa. We are a groove roulette band, each member taking their turn at the front of the band to bring to life their own creations with the backing of the rest of the band.
I have the delight of playing with some truly iconic people and creating new and interesting versions of my own songs such as 'A Way For Both Our Ways', 'Home', even cross-genre renditions like my song 'Belly With The Bone' which is a bit of a sultry RnB tune, we play as a Ska rendition! Which is great! Totally unexpected and delightful.
Imagine a Reggae version of 'Fire On The Breath'!
So yes, when I create music on my own, it's a whole nother vibe than when I create music with the band. Co-creation is just a different process, and for me, I want to make music that gels with everyone in the band. So we do what sounds best rather than sticking to faithful renditions of the old versions, and in this, truly fun music is created.
Will “Fire Love” be featured on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, “Fire Love” will feature on my next solo production EP, which I am very excited about (in the midst of all that is going on professionally at the moment). I have a fantastic 'House Remix' of my song “Home”, which will also feature. This is such a charming song I really can't wait to release it. There are some videos of it being played on my Instagram (@manufrancois98).
This and the other songs on this EP are reminiscent of my African heritage and my appreciation for the African culture and language, while at the same time, remaining perfectly consumable by audiences anywhere in the world. This is my aim. To make Fusion music that pays homage to a certain culture and style while still being fully relatable and enjoyable for audiences worldwide.
Tell us about your creative process when you are working on new music. What do you look for in production?
When I'm working on new music, if I don't start with a riff or chord progression on the guitar, then I usually start with a drum beat/rhythm. Once I have something that I feel makes my body want to move, then I move onto the chords, often wanting to honour both Major and Minor progressions. For I have come to realise that the typical sweet and melancholic minor movements are sweeter when they come out of a progression that spoke to a different part of us. For we have both joy and sadness in us. Mixing the two is how you really emphasize their characters.
Tell us about how you ended up as a playable character in the mobile game S.O.O.N.?
I formed a friendship and business partnership with Anthony Spady from R1Dmusic (R1Dmusic.com, R1Dvideos.com) and it is him who is the creator of the upcoming mobile game 'Something Out Of Nothing' (S.O.O.N).
I have seen myself as a playable character in this game, I am dressed in my Black Belt Kung Fu outfit and it looks awesome.
I am excited to see how developments with the game come along in the coming year.
Blessed Thanks for interviewing me today. I would direct you to my Spotify and my Instagram, to follow me on both accounts. When you hear something that you like, share that on your socials, let's all work together to make a buzz around my music and artistry and get my ass out of New Zealand and come touring around the world! Haha, Much love, one and all!
Connect with Manu Francois: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Soundcloud