| |
Taken from BBC - Liverpool Music - Michael Franti (November 13, 2003)
Michael Franti
 Champions of musical independence Michael Franti and Spearhead play the Carling Academy on November 30th.
It is almost refreshing to hear an artist who genuinely believes he is not part of the establishment.
Michael Franti and band Spearhead have even set up their own indie label to distance themselves from the mainstream.
The live shows are so open that the band allows taping of any kind - as long as the recordings aren't sold.
"We even allow people to plug into the desk," Franti told the BBC.
All this from a man who toured with U2 a decade ago while a member of band The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy.
"They are a really good band who make soulful music, but also have a voice," he said referring to Bono.
And the voice is very important to Franti's music too.
"In this world inspirational music like this is important. It's a reflection of what's going on now.
"We want to say 'life is worth living'.
"If you turn on CNN or the BBC, all you hear is the death toll from Iraq.
"If you watch too much of it, you will start to go crazy. I think it prevents us from seeing the truth."
'World has changed'
Spearhead have been touring Japan, Canada and recently America since February.
The world changed a great deal in that time, Franti says.
"We were touring through Columbia and Indiana recently.
"It's very middle America. It's very closed, where you only get the mainstream media.
"At one gig I was handed a bracelet from someone in the army reserves - he was about to go into service.
"It was the ID bracelet from his dead brother, who was in the special services. He died in Afghanistan."
Later that evening, something showed him that war affects people from all walks of life.
Rebuilding
"I was then handed a bracelet from a woman who had just been to the country.
"She was helping with the rebuilding work after the bombing. She had bought the bracelet back.
"It was amazing. It showed how war touches us all, and it's beginning to hit home over there now.
"The war in Iraq is going to be a never-ending one - one that is only there to serve corporate needs."
Franti was at pains to point out that the band's shows are not a "political rally".
"We like to create a lot of energy - where people can laugh, cry and sing.
"We love audience participation, for people to be able to join in and sing along."
"We hope you will find positivity. We don't really make shiny happy music, but music that is an expression of what is in the heart."
|
|
