Q&A + 'JW Christmas': JW Francis
☆ By SOPHIE GRAGG ☆
SELF DESCRIBED AS LOFI JANGLE DREAM SLACKER BEDROOM POP - JW Francis’ music is charming to say the least. Stepping onto the scene in 2018 with EP I’ll Love You Forever, Bye, Francis has created a strong foundation and discovery for himself, with each track highlighting his textured dreamy sound. In addition to his latest holiday EP JW Christmas, Francis released his debut album We Share A Similar Joy recently as well. Taking a hands on approach with everything he does, from production to his visuals, the best part of JW Francis is his music is effortlessly him, leaving no room for comparison to others.
Finding less social pressure and more time to hone in on his musical craft during quarantine, Francis is looking forward to enter a new chapter with the release of his debut album. In addition to listening to We Share A Similar Joy, you can dance and have a jolly good time to his Christmas EP, enjoy the photos our photographer Jonathan took of JW Francis in New York and read below to learn more about his upcoming project, who he’s listening to lately and more.
LUNA: How has quarantine impacted your creative process? Any tips for staying motivated?
FRANCIS: Quarantine has oddly enough been very good for my creative process. There's no longer a pressure to see a lot of people and go out all the time, which I very much miss - but the pressure is actually to stay inside and see as few people as possible. I didn't think I would be good at that but it's driven me inwards and I've found a lot of music there. My tip to stay is motivated is to stop thinking. Getting into a state of non-thought is the way to go. Just do it. Or don't.
LUNA: Your most recent music video “All There” is simple but has such a fun and charming feel to it. Can you share a bit more about the making of the video?
FRANCIS: My beautiful talented friend David Kong shot that video. I had an idea of a rainy beach day scene, and at first it was a very serious idea for a music video, very somber. But as soon as we got there and I felt the sand between my toes I knew I just needed to dance in slow motion, I knew exactly what it needed to look like and David is the ideal partner to bringing a visual to life.
LUNA: What role do you play in your visuals?
FRANCIS: I play a very hands on role. I've directed a fair amount of them because the visual is very important to me. Images do such a good job at conveying emotion and it doesn't need to be the exact emotion of the song but it needs to compliment it.
LUNA: This year you’ve been able to release a good amount of singles, each fueling a solid foundation. How is your debut album feeling when compared to these previous releases?
FRANCIS: One thing that had not registered with me is that there would be a real 'before' and 'after' this moment of the first album coming out. Each single release has felt like building a stronger foundation and getting closer to something, but releasing the album really feels like turning a page. It feels like the seasons are changing and I'm excited.
LUNA: You’ve done really well as an independent artist and I’m sure it’s encouraging to fellow independent artists as well. What do you like most about being hands-on with everything you do?
FRANCIS: I don't think I could do it any other way because I have very specific ideas of how I want to do this. I'm coming at this from the perspective of someone who loves music and has been a fan of other people my entire life (and will continue to be). So it's important to me to reply to every message I get, to make the effort to show my appreciation for the people who like my music because normally I am them!
LUNA: What do you hope people can take away from your music?
FRANCIS: I don't think they need to take anything away from it. I'd rather they bring their worries and anxieties and bliss out for a few minutes or half an hour and let the music be their rose-tinted glasses for a little while.
LUNA: Top 5 songs you’re listening to?
FRANCIS: At the moment they are:
1. “M.E.” by Gary Numan
2. “Is this Clear II” by Laraaji
3. “not a lot, just forever” by Adrianne Lenker
4. “You make me smile” by Mamalarky
5. “Willow Weep For Me” by Chad & Jeremy
LUNA: As this weird year winds down, what do you hope the upcoming months bring you?
FRANCIS: Well, I surprise dropped a Christmas EP recently so hopefully it does OK and then I'm going home and hibernating with my family, and then getting ready to release another record :)
CONNECT WITH JW FRANCIS
SPOTIFY
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From Pavietra 🕊️ https://t.co/BXVgWlZud8 -
slowthai by Rosie Matheson 🤩 https://t.co/z7SDfFQ5iF
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RT @i_D: Ian Kenneth Bird photographs young punks on Polaroid: https://t.co/MKT0tMUqO9 https://t.co/a0tTl12ML5
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RT @AnOtherMagazine: #DreamHome – this isolated idyll in the mountains of Lanzarote 🌵 📸 via Nowness, photography by Clemence Blr 🔁 https://t.co/GUusdxD0cg
