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Taken from Colorado Daily (July 28, 2010)
Michael Franti reborn: Spearhead leader finds new lease on life, music
by Wendy Kale, last@coloradodaily.com
Michael Franti had a lot of time to reflect on his life after undergoing an emergency appendectomy last summer. The unexpected operation didn't stop Franti, and he even filmed his hospital stay for the media. The event made the artist look at the positive elements in his life -- and gave an upbeat edge to his upcoming CD, The Sound of Sunshine.
"When my appendix blew up it really reframed my whole perspective," Franti said. "I realized that life was all about family, friends and connections with other people. It's all about finding options, even when things are all bleak. It's about being hopeful."
This artist has a lot to be thankful for, but the experience definitely re-focused his music.
Evolution
Franti's songs have been changing and evolving over the past decade.
The bandleader was part of the edgy punk group The Beatnigs in the 1980s, and he co-founded the alternative hip-hop act Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy in the early '90s.
Michael Franti |
Franti started up Spearheadin 1994, and the band's been going strong with its blend of soul, funk and roots sounds. The group also developed a following with its socially conscious lyrics and political views.
"I'm a fan of all types of music," Franti said. "Reggae, funk and punk are all a part of who I am. I just want to make music that makes a difference."
Franti and Spearhead had a serious following, but it was the group's 2008 CD All Rebel Rockers that brought this act to mainstream attention.
The CD's catchy, best-selling single "Say Hey (I Love You)" was a hit on radio and video stations.
"That album was pretty serious and 'Say Hey' was the last song I wrote for it," Franti said. "A lot of the songs were about various social issues, so I thought the album needed something like 'Say Hey.' It was a top 20 hit and we never had that before.
"Now the band has a bigger voice, and we're seeing more people coming to the shows than ever before."
The single hit big in 2009, and Franti and the band rode high on the song's success. The band was playing larger venues and the music was hitting wider audiences, but Franti had to undergo his emergency operation in July 2009.
The operation
Franti wasn't going to let major surgery stop him, so he started writing the new record in his hospital room.
"That operation had a big impact on this record," Franti said. "I'd go to my hospital window every day and see the sun shining in. It made me optimistic and made me want to find the sunshine in my guitar.
"I bottled that feeling of what that would sound like and crossed some musical boundaries on this record. The songs were all written on acoustic guitar, but the vibe on this record is more rock and anthemic guitar sounds -- it's at its best in live settings."
Franti wanted to bring optimism and unity to Sound of Sunshine, and the album's lyrics reflect those vibes.
"Lyrically on this record, I wanted for us to look at each other as a family -- to smile, dance and laugh together," Franti said. "We're going through some hard times in this country -- like with the whole environmental thing. It's time we get ourselves together."
More projects
Michael Franti performs at the Mile High
Music Festival in 2008. ( Zak Wood ) |
Franti also has a couple of other projects in the works.
The artist enjoys his yoga, so he's opening the Stay Human Yoga and Retreat Center in Bali next January.
Franti's also a part of the Soles4Souls project. The organization donates shoes to people around the globe, so the artist will collect footwear at his events to aid the cause.
For now, Franti's getting ready to rock Colorado.
"We're really excited to play Red Rocks," Franti said. "We'll be playing lots of new songs, and songs that people know and love.
"I'm pretty happy with my life now. I just want to write more songs and keep on playing."
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