We caught up with up-and-coming singer-songwriter Elissa Franceschi. She spoke about her E.P “Touch”, working with You Me At Six and her future plans amongst other things. Check out the interview below:
1. How would you describe your sound?
Alternative Pop. I say that because it’s more soulful and more rocky than what is in the charts, but I still love a good hook and a memorable melody.
2. All artists have their own way of writing songs, what is yours?
Strangely, music and lyrics come together at the same time for me. It doesn’t take me very long to write a song once I have the basic chords – maybe 15 minutes.
Sometimes songs have come from poems or lyrics I noted down but usually it’s chords first, vocal melody second with lyrics then all the arrangement last. You have to have a strong melody or it won’t translate no matter how much polished production you slap on it!
3. Your E.P “Touch” has been out for a while now. What was the process of putting it all together like?
It was great, I mean it was my first E.P so everything was new and an experiment. The songs were recorded between the ages of 15 and 19. The photo on the front was done standing on my flat mates bed. It was done with my pocket camera which my flatmate then edited. The artwork was put together by my boyfriend so it was a cool experience!
4. Who are your musical influences?
I never study anyone’s work – music is an escape for me. But Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder and John Mayer are immediate inspirations, Hayley Williams has a sensational voice as well.
5. You teamed up with your brother Josh to perform the You Me At Six track “Always Attract” – What is it like playing to huge crowds in some of the best live music venues in the country?
It is surreal. Every show I have done with him I have been really ill so mostly I’m usually just psyching myself up to be able to project my voice for the song. You just enjoy the moment and try not to slip on stage!!! Then after all the madness Josh and I will grab sandwiches with our mum and Dad from the nearest petrol station and stuff our faces – it’s always a mad night!
6. You’ve already worked with You Me At Six – Which artist/band past or present would you like to work with and why?
I am working with a couple of them on my new album but I won’t tell you just yet! But..in a dream world it would be any of the above inspirations. I’d love to do something with Ellie Goulding or Lucie Silvas – I love their voices.
7. Will you be on tour with You Me At Six for their UK dates at the end of the year?
No, I have not been asked, not sure it’s the right style of music to support their shows if I am honest. The label would never have it – Politics!
8. What advice would you have to bands/artists just starting out?
I have never followed the ‘proper’ path when doing this. You’re “supposed” to gig loads and network. But I hate the bull in networking, everyone is so fake and boring. For bands it’s easy - just get really bloody good, say something different and tap into a ‘scene. With solo artists likle myself it is 1000% times harder, you just hope to be discovered!
9. You’ve played alot of venues up and down the UK – What is your favourite and least favourite place to play and why?
Wembley Arena and Brixton Academy were MENTAL but you know what? My favourite ever gig was a headline show at my old University (Sussex) in their Mandella Hall venue for Fresher’s week. The union covered the hall with bean bags, sold cakes and there were blue fairy lights hung form the ceiling dripping down onto the stage – it was like Aladdin’s cave. The sound wasn’t great of course but the vibe was just stunning. I was telling the stories of how I wrote these songs when I was a fresher and it was like singing to best friends in your living room; a really emotional and fun gig that I’ll never forget. The worst? Sound Cafe in Leicester Square when the whole of China Town came and shouted through my entire set- not fun!
10. Finally, what do you have coming up in the future?
The new album! The musicians and producers behind it are amazing. The songs have a fresh sound that no one has ever heard from me – a much more rocky and a big production sound! The content is less about love and more about what happens once you’ve found it. It also tracks what happens when your studies are finished and your trying to find your place in the world so the songs are really close to my world right now. I cannot wait to put it out just before Christmas 2010.
