“When you’re making music one of the biggest things you need is a strong work ethic.”
that it’s ever been and I’m really gonna go in. But yeah it’s hard to organise so many people; the band are all individuals from round here, from Tetford and Norwich, and they all work full time as well, so it is difficult to manage so many lives at once. It’s nice to envision something and then a year later be playing to 2,000 people on the O2 Arena Tour. It makes you feel really good about life in general. Who have you been inspired by? I grew up listening to all sorts of music, like Te Specials, Te Pogues, Billy Bragg and Te Clash. Predominantly I’ve been into UK grime and hip hop but as I’ve got older I’ve wanted to draw those earlier influences into my music as well. What is it about making music that means so much for you? For me, really and truly it’s how people relate to it. Tat’s what made me want to do this in the fir2t place. When Skinnyman’s album Council Estate of Mind came out, it was playing in everyone’s house where I lived and it was the first time I’ve proper seen something that wasn’t hand-fed to us, it just resonated so much. Hearing him sing about Tetford, but equally it could have been Norwich; it wasn’t grimy and horrible, it was real. Tat was the first time I thought I could have a go at that sort of thing, so I wrote a song and it went on from there. It’s a beautiful thing to be put on that small town soapbox.
Is there an album on its way? I’ve probably written about six albums! Te thing is when you’re an artist you’re always chasing the next rung of the ladder, so you have to take little steps and
26 / April 2016/
outlineonline.co.uk
there’s always something to do. All the while I’m making more music and putting things aside for an album, and I feel like I’ve had an album there for three years. I’m so excited about this year cos it’s all about getting to the next point, and I’m sitting on tunes that I’m not sure what I’m going to do with. I really believe that everything’s in the right place, everyone’s in the right mindset and the music I’ve got is the best music I’ve ever made. Even if only two people like it I can’t wait to get it out there in the ether. You signed to Polydor Records at the end of last year – how’s it been working with them thus far? Yeah it’s been alright; there are obviously the stresses and strains of the industry, you know what I mean, and it can be hard, but the main thing is that my single Oi Oi came out really quickly. I wanted to get things up and running as soon as possible to maintain the momentum. You read all these stories about people waiting on things to happen and it just kills their vibe, so for me that was the important thing; get the single out and plan the tour. Every day that goes by there’s something new for me to buzz off. You’re supporting Rudimental at Tetford Forest and Gloucester – will that be your biggest audience so far? Tat’s the mad thing about my career and my life – I played Wembley once to 11,000 people and have done a couple of pretty big shows. In terms of me standing there as an artist it is probably the biggest thing I’ve done. When Rudimental picked me it was great. Walking out there with a big band that I love and am inspired by, playing to all these people, yeah, it feels
massive. It’s a sentimental thing for me as well to play so locally as well. Te whole town is gonna be up there. Are you excited to play at Te Cut with Maya Law and CLAWS on 15th April? Course! For me this is the good thing about local music. I played Radio 1’s Big Weekend with CLAWS in Norwich, and Maya Law has been cited as doing really well round here. Our genres all have something in
common..there’s a touch of punk in what I do which goes with CLAWS, Maya’s going to be in the studio with me a lot, I think she’s blinding. It’s a great showcase for local music, and to be involved with BBC Introducing and yourselves at Outline. Outline, without blowing smoke up your arse, is one of the defining culture blocks in Norwich; you need to know what’s going on? Boom, it’s there. Everyone looks for their photo in the middle pages when they’ve been out and about and Rick at Open does so much for the local scene and that. It’s nice for us all to enjoy and celebrate what we do. We’re all really happy for each other, and I think it’s gonna be a really beautiful night.
Lizz Page
Franko Fraize plays with Maya Law and CLAWS at Te Cut, presented by Outline Magazine, BBC Introducing in Norfolk and Open at Open’s Club Room on Friday 15th April. Tickets just £3 in advance, £5 on the door.
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