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Filtering by Tag: Soul

Kam Franklin of The Suffers Talks Treating Yourself on Tour and Respect at Music Festivals

The Houston-based eight-piece The Suffers have honed in on a refreshing, funky retro sound that sets them apart from the rest of the crowd. Since releasing their debut album in 2016, The Suffers have crossed off bucket list items such as appearing on Jimmy Kimmel and playing a NPR Tiny Desk Concert. This summer, the band are set to bring their bold and soulful sound to several festivals around the country, including their recent appearance at Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama. During their time in Alabama last weekend, The Suffers frontwoman Kam Franklin chatted with us about everything from their new music to their festival do's and don'ts. Get to know all that and more in our chat with Kam Franklin!

Photo Courtesy of Hangout Music Festival

Photo Courtesy of Hangout Music Festival

ANCHR Magazine: You’ve cited a bunch of different musical styles as your influences, like rock, country, and soul. What was your first musical memory, like a band you heard or a family member that played music, that got you into creating your own music?

Kam Franklin: It was definitely gospel. I grew up in the church, and gospel was always played in my house. Aside from gospel, R&B...So Luther Vandross, Prince, Aretha Franklin, both her gospel stuff and her R&B stuff. That was the main thing that was always in my ear growing up.

AM: Cool, so when did you first start writing your own music?

KF: Probably around age 12 or 13 is when I started writing lyrics or poems and not realizing that’s what they were becoming. First song that I knew was a song, was probably age 16. It ended up on our last record. It’s called “Stay.”

AM: When did you meet the rest of the band then?

KF: We all knew each other before the band ever even was a thing. We were all in different punk, ska, and reggae bands in Houston. We would see each other and it was always a case of oh yeah, if we could ever play with this person we should. It just never happened. The whole thing was when Adam and Pat were starting the band, it was like let’s get this person and this person. We thought it would just be a fun thing, and it evolved.

AM: Cool, so I saw you guys tweeted that you’re going back in the studio at the end of this month. What secrets can you let me in on about the new stuff?

KF: We’re going to release some new singles before the end of the summer. We should be going back to record the full length before the fall. Right now we’re just trying to decide what collaborations we want to do. What kind of sound we want. Where we want to do it. Really we’re just trying to grow as much as possible, and we’re testing the songs out live to see what works, what doesn’t. It’s been kind of funny.

AM: What have been some of your favorites to play live?

KF: We have this one...the song is about getting to know somebody. And all the things that get you excited about getting to know them. Maybe a favorite TV show, or a favorite band, or rapper.  So the chorus for that one is “So what’s your favorite color? Oh you say you like Nas too. You were raised by your mother and her village, oh that's cool. You quote Martin and Friends, I hope this conversation never ends.” It’s just like this...I don’t know, it’s really silly, but it’s playful. There’s a few pop culture references in it, but more than anything it’s just about those times where you used to stay on the phone with somebody all night. A guy that I don’t talk to anymore, but when we first started dating, we had one of the longest conversations I’ve ever had on the phone. I looked at my phone and it said 7 hours. I’m like, I just put in a work shift talking to this dude all night. It didn’t feel like it at all. It felt like maybe an hour or two. I was trying to think when is that last time I talked to somebody for this long, and I realized a lot of men, at least my age, have gotten really lazy as far as the pursuit. Also a lot of women have kind of changed their standards. I don’t mean that in a way that demeans either side, but I feel like once you take the expectations away, the delivery is so much different, and it kind of sucks. I don’t want to chase any people, like come chase me. I’m old school.

AM: So looking at your tour dates, you’re playing so many festivals, from jazz festivals to XpoNential Festival, which is really cool. What are some of the festivals or cities you're most looking forward to playing?

KF: Maybe it’s the same for media, but for bands, when the festival circuit is really heavy, it kind of becomes like a summer camp kind of thing. Where you’re seeing a lot of people at the same time, and it becomes really a fun thing. I just get excited to see some of my friends that are on the festivals. I’ve never been to Lockn’, but I’m excited because my friend Jim James is on Lockn'. Then I’m excited for Whale Rock...it’s the old Beaverton Festival in California. Our friends The Motet and Turquaz will be there. There’s different festival circuits that have the same kind of theme, like Lockn’ will have your Jam Bands and Indie Rock. Then Newport and XpoNential have people that will play more folky festivals, so like your Ryan Adams and Luscious. When you see people you say what’s up, it’s kind of like a fun thing of the circle of friends/colleagues where you rarely see each other because you’re on the road, but they get it.

AM: So how do you stay sane and entertained on the road when you travel so much?

KF: I try to take alone time whenever I can get it. Exercise. Even though I don’t like exercise, I try to exercise as much as I can. I go to the nail shops a lot. I love the nail shops. Self care is so important. When I make friends in other cities, I am very vigilant about following up with them and trying to hang out, because I’m not going to be home for a while. So if I have friends in DC and Atlanta, I’m going to hit them up. It can get very lonely, even though I’m touring with 8 or 9 guys. They’re my friends and my family, but sometimes you want to go see something else. Being with them all the time can be very limited and frustrating. And vice versa, I know sometimes they need time away from me.

AM: Do you have any festival dos and don’ts?

KF: Be respectful of yourself and others. Wear sunscreen. Stay hydrated. Be nice. I say be nice, as if being respectful isn’t the same, but it’s so different. You don’t have to be nice to someone to respect them. The only reason I say that is because it might come back to you. Say you lose your phone, but you were a dick to that person that saw your phone later on. If you’re not a dick, they might bring you your phone back. More than anything, just try to enjoy the music. I’m not anti-phones at concerts, but I am anti- yawning and not paying attention, or judging other people in the crowd. Let people have a good time.

AM: Anything else that you’re looking forward to this year?

KF: I’m mainly just looking forward to releasing new music. We haven’t released new music since our album came out. So I am just itching to get them out!

AM: Any new band recommendations or new albums you’re listening to?

KF: I am obsessed with Emily King’s last record, particularly the song “Distance.”  I love Local Natives and everything that they do. Also just homies. Portugal. The Man just released a new single. My friend Fat Tony. We’re just so happy to be doing what we do and being able to support our friends. Oh, my dear friend Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit, who just released a solo album. I helped him with a song on that, and it’s great and I love him so much.


Check out all of The Suffers' upcoming tour dates here, and listen to their self-titled debut album below. 

A Chat With: Meg Mac

Australian singer-songwriter Meg Mac combines her soulful vocals with pop melodies to craft irresistible tunes, like the viral "Roll Up Your Sleeves," which has racked up over 9 million Spotify streams. Prior to the July 14th release of her debut album, Meg will tour North America playing some of the new songs, returning for the first time since she supported D'Angelo on a 2015 tour. In advance of the tour next month, we had a chat with Meg to get the scoop on the upcoming album, her influences, her advice on dealing with jet lag, and more! 

Photo Credit: Metaxia Coustas

Photo Credit: Metaxia Coustas

ANCHR Magazine: Congratulations on your debut album coming out later this year! Can you tell us a little bit about the songwriting and recording process of the album?

Meg Mac: Thank you! I really wanted to make my first album simple.  I write all my songs at the piano and I played on most of the album. I wanted it to feel and sound like you were in the studio with me when you listen to the album. Just me and my songs without anything getting in the way.

AM: You’ve cited Edith Piaf and Carole King as influences for the album. Did you pull inspiration from any other art mediums or nonmusical influences when writing the songs?

MM: Edith Piaf said she wanted to make people cry even when they don’t understand her words. I love the idea of that. When I am writing I’m always inspired by something personal, something I am experiencing. I have to feel strongly enough about something to sing about it. 

AM: Which of the new songs are you most looking forward to playing live, and what can we expect from the live show?

MM: There’s a song on my album called "Ride It." Recording this song is what inspired me to get my first electric guitar from New York and learn how to play. Obviously it features guitar, but it also has an energy on it that I haven’t had before, and I can play around with that on stage.

AM: Which cities are you most looking forward to on the upcoming tour?

MM: I’m excited to come back to a lot of the places I’ve been before. My last tour in the states was with D’Angelo and I fell in love with a few places. But I’m pretty happy about playing my first show in San Francisco.

AM: Since you’re coming to tour The States all the way from Australia, what are your best tips for staying entertained on long flights and dealing with jetlag?

MM: Don’t take daytime naps.

AM: I saw you tweeted about Firefly Festival and being in disbelief you’re on the same poster as Bob Dylan. Who else on the Firefly lineup are you hoping to see while you’re there?

MM: I’d love to see Banks - she’s playing the same day as me.

AM: I also saw on your social media that your sister is in your band and plays on some songs on your album. Is your whole family pretty much musical, and when did you first get into making your own music? 

MM: Yeah my little sister sings in my band and every now and then she comes in to the studio. Singing is just what we did in our house growing up - it was normal.

AM: What other bands are you listening to at the moment? 

MM: I have been getting into Father John Misty and also going back and loving Tracey Chapman.


You can pre-order Low Blows here, and grab your tickets to see Meg Mac at Schubas Tavern on 6/20 here. Get ready for the show and the album by listening to Meg's debut EP below. 

A Chat With: Charlotte OC

We recently caught up with the on-the-rise singer-songwriter Charlotte OC while she was over in New York City, fresh off her debut television appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers. Hailing from Blackburn, England, Charlotte creates music that blends her soulful, powerhouse vocals with dark pop melodies and deeply personal lyrics. Prior to the release of her debut full-length album, Careless People, we got to know the down-to-earth and relatable songstress. During our conversation, Charlotte revealed the story behind her The Great Gatsby-inspired album name, how she handled the culture shock of recording in Los Angeles, which soul singer inspired her, and how she deals with her darkest times. Find out all that and more in our chat with Charlotte OC...

The soulful sweetheart, Charlotte O.C

The soulful sweetheart, Charlotte O.C


ANCHR Magazine: So I wanted to start out by saying congratulations on finishing your debut album! How are you feeling about releasing it out into the world?

Charlotte OC: Petrified. I don’t know if I should feel like that, but I just recently did the Seth Myers Show, and it was just the most petrifying thing in the world. I just said to my friend, I was like you’re baring your soul to quite a soulless room-- it’s like a studio and it just felt so bizarre. And that’s what it’s gonna feel like when I’m releasing the record, I don’t know. I’m scared.  But I’m also really excited.  

AM: Well I’m sure it will be great!

Charlotte OC: Thank you!

Album Artwork for Careless People

Album Artwork for Careless People

AM: So talking a little bit more about the album, I know you named it after a passage from The Great Gatsby, so how did that idea come around to you?

Charlotte OC: I was just reading the book, and then I watched the movie cause I just wanted to get as much of it as I could into my system, because I loved it so much. And just when I was watching the movie, it kind of like stood out to me... just a little bit more, just that line. After being so moved by the story, and what happened, the fact that she doesn’t even end it with him and she just kind of goes back with Tom.... Gatsby was just along for this massive ride, and it ended up costing his life. I just really related to that. I just think that that happens quite a lot. People just make you think that something is a really good idea, and then all of the sudden it’s not that fun for them anymore. You’re like “wait, it was still fun for me!” Like, why is it stopping? And I think that that’s really sad, but it happens constantly. I also was just kind of taking my own experiences of being careless, and caring a bit too much about stuff, and it just kind of felt right. I think the whole record is about me finding out what I care about and what I shouldn’t care about, and I think when you realize that someone’s being quite careless with your emotions, as much as it hurts, if you can actually see it, I think that’s like you taking 10 steps forward. Some people just don’t realize it, and that’s what the record is...me realizing and growing up a bit. Being present. I think by the end of the record I turned 25.  When I was a bit younger I never felt like I knew what was going on. It’s just about me finally becoming present. Hopefully you understand what I mean.

I think when you realize that someone’s being quite careless with your emotions, as much as it hurts, if you can actually see it, I think that’s like you taking 10 steps forward.
— Charlotte OC on her album's theme

AM: Yeah, totally! I’m about the same age as you so I totally get what you mean. So going back to your songwriting, did you draw inspiration from any other classic literature when you were writing the record, or is it mostly personal experiences that you draw from?

Charlotte OC: There’s a song called “In Paris,” which is about Princess Diana. That was the first song that I wrote where it wasn’t about me. I think I was quite young when that happened, and I didn't really understand it. Like the Twin Towers I was young when that happened as well, and I didn’t really know what was going on. It’s just one of the those things you think about when you’re a bit older and you think “what the actual fuck happened there?” It just moved me in a way, I just thought it was slightly romantic and glamorous, and just a bizarre thing to be happening to a royal family....and it’s such a huge all-over-the-papers kind of thing. [Princess Diana] just really fascinated me. I wrote it in her perspective of singing it to Prince Charles like, “I know you don’t even really care for me, but I don’t really want to be your enemy.”  That was the first song I wrote [like that]. Then weirdly, after it happened, after I wrote it, the Paris attacks happened. It felt kind of connected to that, that song has got quite a lot of heavy meaning.  

AM: Oh, very cool. It’s crazy how you said right after you wrote it the Paris attacks happened. I feel like that will happen a lot, where you’ll write something and it’s very relevant later on and it takes on new meanings.

Charlotte OC: Oh yeah, it happens constantly!

AM: So talking about the recording process then, you recorded out in LA actually. I read that your writing is often inspired by your hometown in Northern England, which is totally different to LA, so how was it recording out there?

Charlotte OC: It was weird! I think it was good for me. I think it’s good to feel weird when you’re making a record. I don’t think you should feel comfortable, and I didn’t feel comfortable. I still feel weird when I go to LA, and like it’s just I think as somebody from the Northwest of England, which is quite a... I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just, LA and the Northwest of England are so different.  The type of person is very different too, and yeah, it was bizarre. I also met Tim Anderson, who I work with, and he’s my producer, and his studio is in the heat of LA. If you walk inside his studio, it’s all black and it’s got like, it’s quite spooky, like it shouldn’t be in LA. That’s what, I think that’s why it worked for me...because the studio wasn’t like an LA studio. That’s why I think it just worked. It was like this little safe haven for me. It was was interesting. I don’t know if I would do it again, but it was definitely interesting.

AM: Yeah, so how was it working with Tim. Would you still continue to work with him?

Charlotte OC: Yeah, I love working with him...totally! I just love working with him, and he’s a great friend of mine. He’s my A&R guy, which sounds weird, but he started working as an A&R rep at Harvest after we started working together. It sounds weird, but it kind of works in our favor at the same time. Because I’ve always worked with him.  We work really well together.

For fans of Izzy Bizu, Lapsley, and Jessie Ware... you have got to check out Charlotte's latest single "Medicine Man."  

AM: Very cool, what was the most culture shock thing coming to LA, then?

Charlotte OC: Just that there’s nobody walking anywhere! I feel a bit petrified walking anywhere, it’s weird! Like everyone just stays a bit safe in their cars, and everything is just air conditioned. And that’s not good for my voice. It’s a bit like, I don’t know how to describe it. I don’t drive either, and I’m learning, but at the time I didn’t drive and I found that quite hard. There’s a lot of homeless people, and it’s such a glitzy and glamorous place. One minute there’s an amazing house and then the next minute there’s Skid Row. It’s just like...I don’t know, bizarre. It was really extreme.

AM: Yeah for sure. Well on a slightly more positive note, who would you consider some of your musical influences?

Charlotte OC: First, I think my favorite vocalist is Aretha Franklin. She...have you ever watched the Muscle Shoals documentary? Watch it, it’s amazing! But there was a bit about her and how her journey started, and how nobody really knew what to do with her. She had this amazing voice, but nothing really made sense. They had all these songs for her, and it just wasn’t connecting. I think that she may have just found herself and it all really just fell into place. I think that’s what makes a good artist. When you just kind of, figure out stuff, instead of being told what to do. She just knew what to do, and I feel like I could have related to that. Plus she’s got the best voice in the world I think. I grew up listening to The Talking Heads. I’m constantly inspired by the Stop Making Sense album and the film that they made with it.  It’s the music video-- have you seen it?

AM: No, I haven’t!

Charlotte OC: Oh please, write that down, you have to watch it. It’s Stop Making Sense and it’s live, the whole album. They filmed it--it’s a show, but it’s also just incredible. The whole way through his suit just keeps getting bigger and bigger and his head keeps getting smaller and smaller. It’s just incredible, and all live...I love it so, so much. So that inspired me when I was younger...I just used to watch it over and over again. I used to love Freddie Mercury…”Bohemian Rhapsody.”  What else? Lou Reed...Leonard Cohen. I think Cohen lyrically, how he paints pictures, it’s really amazing. I like lyrics like that. I don’t like throw away lyrics.

AM: Very cool. So talking more about your live show, I know you’ve played SXSW and Gov Ball in NYC, which is awesome! Are there any other festivals on your bucket list to play?

Charlotte OC: I’d love to do Glastonbury I think. That would be my ultimate ever. Pyramid Stage...Straight to the top [laughs]. That’s not gonna happen anytime soon, but that’s just the dream. I’d quite like to do Coachella, even though I find it quite a bizarre festival. It’s a strange one, and I didn’t really enjoy myself when I was there, but I’d really like to do it. I think it’s different when you’re not playing. I always find festivals really hard when I’m not playing and just wanting to play. I’ve got Secret Garden Festival coming up, which is a great one in the UK. It’s amazing, especially if the weather’s nice! I can’t really think of any at the moment, but Glastonbury definitely.  

AM: Yeah, that’s like the top festival. So are there any songs in particular that you’re excited to play for a live audience?

Charlotte OC: Yeah, I’m excited to sing “Running Back To You.”  That’s always a feel good one. It’s so much fun to do, I feel great after I’ve done it. I’m excited to release “Shell.”  That’s the next single, which I’m just excited for people to hear. “Where It Stays,” that’s a ballad on the record.  

AM: Do you amp that one up when you play it live?

Charlotte OC: Yeah, exactly.  I have fond memories of writing it, and I’m really proud of it.

AM: Are there any cities or countries that you’re really hoping to play this year?

Charlotte OC: Yeah, I love doing shows in America. I’d like to do some more over here.  I’ve got some shows coming up in Berlin on the 21st of March, which I’m excited about. Just anywhere really. I’d quite like to do some shows in Poland. I’ve never been, but I’d really like to go. I heard they’re amazing. Like they’re just music lovers and they just go for it.

AM: Very cool. So I was reading when you first started playing guitar, you were actually upset about it and dreading your first lesson at 15 years old. So if you weren’t doing music, what would be your backup career choice?

Charlotte OC: I totally don’t know...I don’t like to think about it! It makes me feel a bit sick. It’s just always been like that, I’ve got this constant feeling of discomfort if I’m not doing it.  I think that I would always be writing...writing music. If not for me, for other people. I do love writing music and it’d probably still be something in music.

AM: When did you write your first original song?

Charlotte OC: At fifteen. It’s called “One of the Angels,” and it’s about death. It’s super depressing, but my mum and dad loved it!

AM: Speaking of depressing, your big single out now is called “Darkest Hour.”  What advice would you give to any of your fans who are going through their darkest hour?

Charlotte OC: Talk to somebody. Keep talking about it, get it off your chest. Don’t bottle it up. I think that’s the biggest...silence feeds the biggest darkness. Being able to talk to someone is the most important.  

AM: Ok now last question, a lighter question...are there any other bands you’re into at the moment?

Charlotte OC: I’ve been listening to a lot of Echo & The Bunnymen, which is an old band from Liverpool. I don’t listen to a lot of newer bands, but let me pull up my Spotify.  I’ve listened to The xx, obviously they’re not new, but that last album was incredible! There’s a girl called Sigrid and she’s got a song called “Don’t Kill My Vibe.” I can only listen to it once, like I understand that it’s a good song, but I can’t listen to it a lot. I think Rag’N’Bone Man is great. I love him, he’s amazing. Sampha’s new album is brilliant! I haven’t listened to the new Ryan Adams album but I’m going to!


Speaking of new albums, Charlotte OC's debut is now available for pre-order here, prior to the release on March 31st.  We've been listening to it all this week, and every song is just incredible.

Careless People Tracklist:

1. Blackout

2. Darkest Hour

3. Medicine Man

4. River

5. Shell

6. Choice

7. Running Back To You

8. Higher

9. I Want Your Love

10. Where It Stays

11. In Paris

 

You can also keep up with all of Charlotte's tour news on her website. More dates are on the way soon.