Pete Francis, formerly of this mega band Dispatch, sat down with The Mirror last week to promote his show this week at StageOne in Fairfield. Francis mainly spoke about his new album ‘Iron Sea and the Cavalry,’ his music career and going from selling out Madison Square Garden to playing liberal arts colleges.
The Mirror: Did you start writing with no goal in mind or did you set out to write a new album?
Pete Francis: I guess when I’m working on songs I’m always sort of thinking about writing, putting together a new album. I was working on different material and the different songs were taking shape.’ So I really didn’t know what the record was going to be, or what it was going to be called.’ The title eventually was going to be ‘Iron Sea ‘amp; the Cavalry’ and that was just a line I picked that I came up with when I was in Los Angeles.
TM: Who influenced you while writing your solo album?
PF: Sometimes I guess it’s hard for me to say there were certain particular artists that influenced me.’ There’s always my main artists that turn to and that I love. Like sort of the song writing of Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits and then more modern bands like Wilco and Bryan Adams serve as inspiration.’ So the influences range from sort of some older classics to some of the newer Americana bands.
TM: How does it feel to go from selling out Madison Square Garden to playing in venues like Thattaway Café in Greenwich, Conn. and the Fairfield Theatre?
PF: I don’t get too concerned really about who knows me and who doesn’t know me.’ I’m very interested in playing music and playing in new venues so don’t get caught up in a lot of that. I will say also though that I really do love playing colleges and there’s a certain vibe that you know with the college kids and students are always really excited about the music and about their own lives and what they’re doing- that’s really inspirational for me to be around. And while the Garden, you know, is indescribable and just a remarkable event itself, it’s really a show, it’s a spectacle that I’m a part of.’ With the college shows I feel that I’m a little bit more involved with not just a show, but with, the people as well.’ Afterwards I get to talk with them and kind of relate to them.’ You know when you’re at the Garden it’s definitely you putting on a show; a big performance.
TM: Where do you see your career going in the near and long-term future?
PF: I am going to be recording a new record and touring.’ I’d like to go and tour other parts of the globe and continue to work with new musicians, and write a lot more songs.
TM: What do you think about the presidential and vice presidential candidates?
PF: You know, the whole political thing, I’ve never really been into, so I don’t know really. I never really know who to trust when it comes to politics, everybody’s always arguing. Hopefully whoever is sworn in will do a good job.
TM: What are the top five songs on your iPod playlist right now?
PF: This African record I was listening to recently.’ I want to put that as my top record.’ I’ll give you the name of it; it’s called ‘Orchestra Baobab’ and it’s made in Dakar, Africa. Those would be the top five songs, because I love this record.
Leave a Reply