Zig At The Gig with Pete Francis formerly of Dispatch interview 2021

Pete Francis is a songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. In 1995, he founded the band Dispatch, who became the first ever independent band to sell out Madison Square Garden. They went on to tour through other major venues across the country, including Red Rocks, TD Garden, and The Greek Theaters in both San Francisco and LA. Over the course of their career, they have also brought their live show to audiences in Europe and Australia. Pete has released eight solo records and has toured with such diverse acts as Ziggy Marley, Blues Traveler, and G Love and Special Sauce. One of his favorite gigs was on stage in Sun Valley, Idaho shredding guitar riffs with Steve Miller on “Fly Like An Eagle.”

In the Spring of 2021, Pete will be releasing two new EPs, Humble Down and Sun Fuzz. This new work brings together Pete’s love for a broad range of musical styles. Humble Down is a record of self reflection and reveals his strong belief that love between two people should be simple, humble, and kind. On vocals he is joined by his wife, Katie. Their two voices and the stories they tell in these new songs have a heartfelt honesty and charm to them. Musically there are hints of Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Tom Waits, and John Lennon. On the track, Gimme Some Lovin’, guitar blues master, Duke Robillard, adds his beautiful tremolo rhythm guitar and a searing and a down right dirty solo that only Duke can pull off. Break out your tie dyes and bell bottoms then simply hit play on the Sun Fuzz EP.

On the title track you are swept into a funk exploratorium, a journey that feels like riding an electric wave into a multi-color sunset. The groove is infectious and the hook, “All the Lives that you’re living, all the love that you’re giving,” will be in your head as you drive to the beach. There are some great blues moments on the track “Love me in the Morning.” The song has a pumping and tight groove reminiscent of early Clapton. “Can’t Tame a Lion” is a nasty concoction of Hendrix in a blender with, White Stripes, and Blacks Keys. A distorted guitar mash-up of fuzz and friction.

These two new Pete Francis EPs offer moments of calm and pensive introspection as well as the feeling of strapping on a jet pack and ripping through the outer regions of of your imagination. As usual, Pete has assembled the best musicians in the New York area. Pete’s sound is the real deal. Like a homemade bowl of soup or a perfect glass of lemonade on a scorching hot day in July. In these songs you can hear his soul. The lyrics are fresh, the grooves are blessed. Humble Down and Sun Fuzz are original works of art - composed for people who care about the craft of music and words that have true meaning.

Pete will be co-teaching a songwriting class at Middlebury College for the Spring semester of 2021. Having a degree in English and Poetry at Middlebury, he is thrilled to share his expertise in the process of song creation and composition.

Pete's Info https://www.petefrancis.com/about https://www.petefrancis.com/music-1 https://open.spotify.com/artist/4i2YWHj4EYKYxQaG1qwRnY https://www.facebook.com/petefrancismusic/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXgyVdz4z6GHSxgPfcj2bhg

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Pete Francis