- Thu, 2009-05-21 12:36
Playing, producing and writing all his own material, Vincent Frank aka Frankmusik, blends together eighties synth pop, jaunty disco beats and electro tinged vocals. Having caused a stir with his 3 Little Words EP, it seems his decision to drop out of University to pursue a music career was not at all a bad idea. Having recently supported Keane and soon to warm up crowds as the support act for musical giants The Pet Shop Boys, Frankmusik is not going away anywhere soon. With festival dates planned for summer 2009 and a debut album on its way, I Like Music caught up with Vincent for a quick chat about his vintage keyboard collection, his love for ABC and how he writes his music.
"I Like Music because… it's something that brings words and moments of joy in our lives together.” Frankmusik
ILM: How would you describe the Frankmusik sound?
Vincent: Frankmusik is kind of electronic pop music. Very throw back eighties, but also very modern at the same time.
ILM: And you've been very busy playing live dates haven't you?
Vincent: Yeah! At the beginning of the year I supported Keane, which was amazing. I mean, playing to about 15,000 people a night was a good learning curve! Plus it was good training for when I go on tour with the Pet Shop Boys!
ILM: Exciting times! Can you describe the Frankmusik process of making music?
Vincent: Sometimes I just write the songs on a piano. Usually I write the lyrics first. Although with most of them, I just get a load of sounds together in my studio. I do a lot of electronic music, so I like to get excited about production before a song comes along.
ILM: What's your tech set-up?
Vincent: In my studio I work on Logic and Pro Tools. I use a lot of vintage, analogue keyboards.
ILM: Do you collect them?
Vincent: Yeah. I'm a real nerd about it.
ILM: How many have you got?
Vincent: I've got fifteen keyboards...!
ILM: Fifteen! Do you have a favourite?
Vincent: Yeah. My favourite is the David Smith Prophet 08 Special Edition.
ILM: Er...of course. Why is that your fave?
Vincent: Because it is a modern day classic!
ILM: Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
Vincent: As you can probably gather there is something quite eighties about my music. I listen to a lot of eighties 7 singles. I'm a big fan of ABC and Thompson Twins. A lot of embarassing guilty pleasures, but they're all good. Also Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx. I saw Daft Punk at O2 Wireless a few years ago which was really awesome.
ILM: You're playing O2 Wireless this year too aren't you?
Vincent: Yeah! And Oxygen. And Glastonbury! I can't believe I'm doing that one! I generally avoid festivals. I don't like getting muddy. I'm a bit of a poof when it comes to that. But the thing is, I've always, always wanted to play a festival! And now I've had my prayers answered!
ILM: What would be your advcie for any other budding musicians out there?
Vincent: You've got to stick at it. This wasn't an overnight successs. It has taken me five years to get here. I quit a University degree to get here! Just stick at it, that's all you can do. And believe.
