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Taken from montreuxjazz (July 6, 2002)
Interview with Michael Franti
 This is Michael Franti & Spearhead's first time at the Festival. Michael is impressed by Montreux's hospitality and the programme, looking forward to seeing B.B. King's show. Although not a jazz 'buff', Michael appreciates the evolutionary nature of jazz, how it always seems to be "looking for the next thing". He is however a "song person" with a passion for lyrics and melody. Read on to discover this fascinating personality and musician.
Name: Michael Franti
Age: 36
Home: San Francisco, USA
Born: Oakland, USA
Married with 2 children: Kappy (15 yrs) and Ade (3 yrs).
Favourite album of the moment: Island Life, by Grace Jones.
Favourite destination on tour: New Zealand and Australia.
Favourite aspect of the job: travel. Michael loves being on the road, seeing new architecture, meeting new people and observing how different environments have shaped different societies.
Favourite aspect of his life: family.
Is there any religion or religious influence in your youth on the way that you view the world today?
I was brought up in a Lutheran household and went to church every week as a child. Now I follow my own religion and pray as often as possible, at least daily. I ask for guidance and protection; I ask to be showed how to do the right thing in my life, show me the way. If there was one word used to describe my religion, I'd say compassion..
What musical instruments do you play?
In the Beatnigs days (1986), I played bass, but never well. Recently I have just fallen in love with acoustic guitar (in Cuba); its simplicity and emotion which powerfully expresses melody, across languages and borders.
Who are the people or groups who have influenced your music and ideals?
The sounds are influenced by other members of the band, including Sly and Robby in the studio; they have been heroes of mine because of all the work they have done throughout the history of reggae music. It is a great honour to work with such legends. My ideals are influenced by the people I come in contact with . people who are working hard to do the right thing all over the world.
Between the message and the music, which comes first?
Both are a part of my life and my activism; quoting Alice Walker, "[it is] my rent for living the way I live".
How do you expect your messages will be received tonight by a non-American audience?
I don't know, it is always a mystery and contributes to the 'stage fright'. But above all, my message is a message of love and most cultures are receptive to it. So far, audiences in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe have responded positively, listening to the message and finding encouragement, enlightenment, and learning. although sometimes our messages challenge people's beliefs.
Above and beyond music writing and performance, how are you active for the message?
There is a body in San Francisco called 911. Since 1999, we perform an annual festival on September 11 to protest against the death penalty in the USA. Obviously things changed in 2001. now we emphasise that it is a safe place for people to come together, not to revel in patriotism, but for unity and connection with the world, regardless of your country of origin.
Disposable Heroes of Hiphopcrisy had a major influence on the emergence of the hip-hop, rap-soul movement in the early 1990s; what is your vision for the continuation of this movement and what role do you see Spearhead playing in it?
That period was a special time, however hip-hop today is far from the consciousness and creativity of the original movement. to focus on record sales and style, rather than content. What is important for me is to be in a constant state of evolution and inspire others.
Is there still a 'hole in the bucket'?
Yes. This is a symbolic impression for the bottom dropping out of someone's life, for example losing a job, girlfriend. it's also about people who cause the holes in 'the bucket', gunshots or other.
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