These days, Michael Franti knows that each summer means a long tour across the United States, with club and theater dates thrown in for good measure as well as as many outdoor amphitheater show opportunities as possible. A 60-day schedule has been set. The music he plays with his longest-running band, Spearhead, is perfect for this time of year, but he also has many responsibilities outside of music. With around 50 shows a year in the United States, he is able to cover much of the country while maintaining worldwide interest.
For example, not many musicians in Bali can claim business interests, but Franti is one of them. Not content with just dabbling in investments there, he has dedicated much of his creative life to his role in Bali’s ever-growing hotel and hospitality industry.
As he says, it’s difficult to navigate between “being an artist and being an entrepreneur.”
“It’s a hotel in Bali that I started in 2008. It started with five rooms and now it’s grown to 32 rooms, two restaurants and a nightclub,” Franti said in a recent phone interview. “I switch gears between everything to do with the hotel and everything else to do with music and film. And now media and writing. The hotel now has over 100 employees and a lot of my work is working with the team there. It’s great to work with people and allow them to use their own creativity to find solutions to problems they’re facing at the hotel. My job there is to see the bigger picture and think about what’s next.”
The retreat he and his family run is called “Soulshine Bali” and the atmosphere is inspired by the positive approach to life and relationships that Franti and Spearhead have passed down over the years. This is definitely consistent with the message.
He says his live shows with his band, Spearhead, are aimed at captivating the audience, no matter how familiar they are with the band’s songs. Of course, there are many people who become enthusiastic fans. Some people leave as fans.
“I’m very passionate about both,” Franti says, “and I think the ultimate pinnacle of music – actually playing it and seeing and feeling the audience’s reaction – is a real high point. It’s humbling… When I write songs, I always think about how they’re going to be performed live. That’s what’s fascinating about it.”
Despite the amount of time he spends on tour, Franti says there’s always time to do a little work in his remote studio, even if it’s just hooking up his guitar to a simple recorder.
“I love the studio,” he says, estimating that he spends about 250 days a year jotting down thoughts and music each year.
The result of his latest creative endeavor was the completion and release of his latest album last November. Big Big Loveand this summer’s Togetherness tour.
“Unity is a central theme in every song on our latest album, Big Big Love,” Franti said in announcing the tour. “How do we achieve the sense of togetherness and closeness that was previously overlooked and taken for granted, but is now so important? How can we bring people closer to each other again? How can I bridge these gaps so that I feel like I am? I want my music and my time in life to be relatable to people and make them feel like they’re not alone in this world. ”
The excitement and sense of community at being able to return to the road after the pandemic was something Franti felt deeply.
“It’s one of my great passions in life,” says Franti. “I was touring for half the year, mainly during the summer, but due to COVID-19 I wasn’t able to tour at all. It was a very emotional time for me. , there was something that I thought was always going to be there, something that was essential to me as a person, and it was suddenly pulled out from under me. It made me really think about who I was in the world. I’ve always known why I do what I do. I love connecting with people and seeing them bring emotion to our music. But once it was brought up, I went to a dark place for a while. On the other hand, I feel incredibly grateful to do this activity. ”
Franti’s music has come from a variety of backgrounds, from early punk and industrial bands (such as the Beatnigs, 1986-90) to hip hop (notably the short-lived Disposable Heroes of Hip-Hop Lees, 1991-93) to the eclectic Spearhead influences, but it’s the blend of soul, rock and reggae that defines much of the group’s sparkling, summery sound.
All of these experiences, Franti says, have allowed him to travel the globe in a way that few people get to experience.
“I’ve always had a desire to discover new corners of the world, meet people and experience new cultures,” he says. “The architecture, the art and the natural wonders… I’ve had amazing opportunities to see and play in these places.”
Michael Franti and Spearhead
with bombargo
Saturday, May 25, 2024
7pm
HIPICO Santa Fe
Tickets: $44 – $69
*All ages
