More recently the 44-year-old has branched out into making music for film and television. It is an area he is keen to expand.
“I’ve had a fairly good run of projects for STV, BBC, Sky and some independent production companies and it is something I really enjoy,” said Francis, who recently completed the soundtrack for the rugby film Building Jerusalem, a documentary about how England won the Rugby World Cup against Australia in 2003.
“I think it is magical what music does to film, how it changes and illustrates the mood or highlights the drama. It is prety special to be part of that.”
However, despite the international success Francis admits that, like many Scots, he sometimes has an issue with self-confidence.
“It’s a bit of a Scotish trait - not to get above yourself,” he said.
“I have a tendency to think other people are beter at boasting. The truth is people respond well to confidence. They take confidence from confidence. When a performer comes on stage and acts like it’s their living room the audience will go with that and get behind him.
“I do have to check myself sometimes. Scots aren’t always good at accepting compliments. We oſten just bat them away with a wave of the hand and say something like ‘Och no, it was nothing’ as if the other person is foolish for liking what we do.
“A female friend of mine once said there is no bigger turn off than a guy saying to a girl ‘I’m not good enough for you’ or ‘you’re too good for me’. That’s so true!
“We may all have these neurosis but if we just lie down and
“I think it is magical what music does to film, how it changes and illustrates the mood or highlights the drama. It is pretty special to be part of that.”
indulge them what sort of reaction are we going to get? It’s nuts and irrational. We have to learn it’s not shameful to be successful and it’s not arrogant to accept a compliment.”
Despite working with a variety of international names and cross- border projects Francis is happiest working at home in Glasgow.
“There is so much happening in Scotland that I’ve never felt the need to do that thing of chucking in my lot and shooting off down to London,” said Francis.
“Technology means I don’t have to be in the same room, let alone the same city or even country, as somebody I’m working with.
“I’m a city boy at heart. Glasgow may have its issues but most people are genuinely friendly. I like their humour and down-to-earth atitude. They break the ice with a joke, diffuse a situation with a bit of cheek and are happy to strike up a conversation with a stranger at a bus stop. These qualities are quite precious, we should recognise that and be proud.”
September 2015 71
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