Music
Press
Artist: The Act Francis
Song: Manahattan
Genre: World Pop
Similar: No-One-Obvious
---------------------------------------------Manhattan is a piece by The Act Francis dedicated to the September 11th victims, and indeed is a noble gesture nonetheless. However, we're not interested in gestures, we're interested in music. The best part of this track is without a doubt the synth and piano lines, which consist of the main body of the track. A good job then that they prove satisfactory! Using melodic deep and harmonically high tones with the different textures of string and piano, The Act Francis creates a classic vibe with immediately recognized instruments and qualities. In a sense this is a good point because it sticks to established genre conventions. It sounds very nice, laid back, relaxing. However, I wish to state that as a tribute to the September 11th crisis, its very fitting and touching.
- Anton Wulfen
(on a scale of 6)
Charisma: 5.50
Technical Skill: 6.00
Structure: 5.50
Interest: 6.00
Lyrics: n/a
Performance: 5.50
Arrangement: 6.00
Recording Quality: 6.00
Long Term Appeal: 6.00 - by Anton Wulfen
Discography
The Act Francis Releases New Single, 'In From The Cradle/Day Long Moon,' On GIG HOUSE RECORDS
NEW YORK, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Act Francis (TAF) fuses the futuristic sounds of technology with traditional song writing to create this catchy electronic track that he describes as "World Pop." Mixed by Dae Bennett, son of the legendary Tony Bennett, "In From The Cradle" will be released to over 2,400 digital retailers worldwide.
TAF's songwriting is influenced by his worldwide travels. He has seen more of the world than most people dream of. "As an artist, one cannot boat to Moorea Island in Tahiti or climb to the top of extinct volcano Seongsan Ilchulbong at the extreme eastern tip of Jejudo, South Korea and not be inspired. The world breathes me magic." That magic is found in his music as it draws from many of the world's cultures.
His music takes you on an emotional ride that allows you to escape reality. "The Act Francis' music is always a journey," states Steve Addabbo, famed producer of Suzanne Vega.
TAF was raised on the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis. He cites the Eddie Van Halen solo "Eruption" as his inspiration to learn guitar. "I wasn't a teddy bear kid; instead, I had a toy guitar I carried around everywhere."
Not long after, he discovered his own creative nature. "Whenever I started to learn a song by someone else I ended up writing my own so I started to concentrate on that creativity."
While TAF is a composer first and foremost, he is an artist in several other forms. TAF acted in a few major films, namely "American Gangster," "Carlito's Way: Rise to Power," and "Find Me Guilty," where director Sidney Lumet handpicked him to perform opposite Vin Diesel.
TAF is also an avid photographer, graphic designer, budding filmmaker and chef. He designed the packaging and artwork for the advance copy of "In From The Cradle," and even filmed its video. To view his photographic and designing prowess, and more of his music, visit www.theactfrancis.com and www.myspace.com/theactfrancis.
Just as he refuses to limit himself to one art form, TAF explores several different musical genres. Look for his debut album out this summer, tastefully blending worldly flavors that create an ear altering listening experience.
Photos
Bio
The Act Francis fuses the perpetually evolving technology of computers with traditional song-writing to create what he describes as "World Pop." The multi-talented TAF's music is self composed, produced, performed, and recorded during his travels throughout the world.
While The Act Francis is a composer first and foremost, he is an artist in several other forms as well. In addition to writing, producing, and performing his own music, TAF has also been featured as an actor in a few major film projects, namely “Find Me Guilty,” a film for which he was hand-picked by director Sidney Lumet to play in a scene opposite Vin Diesel.
The Act Francis also is an avid photographer, graphic designer, budding filmmaker and chef. He designs the packaging and artwork for his projects and even films each video. There are many more examples of his photographic and designing prowess as well as more of his music on his website www.theactfrancis.com and his Myspace page www.myspace.com/theactfrancis.
Equally as interesting as his music is the curious, enigmatic nature of The Act Francis. When asked about his origins and where he was from, TAF responded: “I feel like I could be from any place on the planet; hot, cold, low, high, small town, large city.” Regardless of where he is from, it is where his music takes you emotionally that is truly remarkable. "…The Act Francis’ music is always a journey" states famed producer of Suzzanne Vega and vocal producer and mixer for The Act Francis
Music has been an integral part of TAF’s life since an early age. He was raised in a home where Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis records were frequently played. Being exposed to such icons would make anyone want to pick up music, and for TAF the guitar was his calling. He cites a solo by Eddie Van Halen called “Eruption” as his inspiration to learn the rock guitar, a craft he has mastered today. “I wasn’t a teddy bear kid; instead, I had a toy guitar I carried around everywhere.”
His parents taught him his first songs on the guitar, and soon after that, he began to discover his own creative nature. “Whenever I set out to learn a song by someone else I ended up writing my own so I started to concentrate on that creativity.”
Apart from his musical upbringing, The Act Francis draws major influence from his personal life as a world traveler. Never content in one spot for long, TAF has seen more places in the world than most people can dream of, giving him a very cultured and well-rounded mindset. "As an artist, one cannot boat to Moorea Island in Tahiti or climb to the top of extinct volcano Seongsan Ilchulbong at the extreme eastern tip of Jejudo, South Korea and not be inspired. The world breathes me magic." That magic is clearly on display in the music of The Act Francis, giving it an immediate advantage over that of other artists, as it draws inspiration from many cultures in all parts of the world.
The Act Francis not only writes, performs, produces, and records his own music, he also designs the very means by which it is delivered to the public. The Act Francis is a self-contained artist in the truest sense of the word.
Just as he refuses to limit himself to one art form, The Act Francis explores several different genres in his music. Look for his debut album out this summer, tastefully blending various flavors to create a truly ear altering listening experience.
Links
