Exposed Vocals Catches an Exclusive with D. FRANCISCO
The Latin-Pop explosion of the late 90’s was a solid shot-in-the-arm for audiences all over. This eclectic and energetic genre was finally getting it’s due, thanks in part to artists like Ricky Martin and Julio Iglesias. Fast forward to 2016, and we present to you D. FRANCISCO and his new single “I Want Ya”. It has all of the dance energy of the best Latin-Pop, but also incorporates twists reminiscent of more classical artists such as Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli.
While so many new artists create much hype yet have little substance to back it up, D. FRANCISCO has spent a lifetime perfecting his craft behind-the-scenes. His background consists of years of diligent training; starting with private instrumental lessons, moving to touring internationally with the celebrated Phoenix Boys Choir, and culminating with an opera internship in Rome, Italy.
Using these skills as a solid foundation, he has turned his attention to making his own music, with his own twist. Not limited to any one genre, D. FRANCISCO pulls from Pop, Latin, Opera, and even elements of EDM. It’s all about the song and whatever fits. For his debut single, he’s pulling out all of the stops – “I Want Ya” jukes & jives, and overall has an arc of prolific musicianship that spans front to back! Plus, but he’s also dropping versions in both English and Spanish!
The “I Want Ya” music video is a sizzling number that heats up quick, and burns hot until the very end. It’s set in a darkened club with a group of high rollers seated around a small table, and they’re playing a very big game of poker. Chips and dollars abound – it’s clear that the stakes are high. As D. FRANCISCO and his band light up the stage, a buxom new participant, dressed in all white, enters the match: Ana Carla Sinclair. Known as a contestant on The Voice Mexico, she takes a seat, portraying quite the foil to the sultry hostess and attending waitress, dressed in a sizzling black and red outfit, played by renowned dancer Nayara Nuñez.
As the action ensues, a coy game of eye contact and knowing glances are exchanged by D. FRANCISCO, Nayara, and Ana, although it’s unclear exactly who is on which side. Eventually, Ana runs the table with the supposed “pros” while Nayara explodes onstage with her brilliant dance. Though she may have a furtive plan in place, D. FRANCISCO discreetly disarms her, and executes a plan of his own on the way out the door!
D. FRANCISCO Web Links:
Website: http://www.dfrancisco.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/D.FRANCISCOmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theDFRANCISCO
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dfranciscomusic
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
D. FRANCISCO: Music has always been one of the most important aspects of my life. I grew up in the Town of Paradise Valley, which is between Phoenix and Scottsdale, in Arizona, although for the summer months, we’d usually be in Europe or South America. My parents started me with violin and piano lessons at the age of five, and at age seven, I joined the Phoenix Boys Choir.
It was a wonderful experience, and when I was 13, I won an international competition in the duet category. The guest conductor was the late Sir David Willcocks, the reknowned director of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. Well, he asked me if I had considered becoming a professional singer once my voice changed, and that planted the seed in my mind that, yes, I could pursue a career doing what I loved.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
D. FRANCISCO: I have a compound (double) first name, but most of my friends just call me by the latter half of it, so here we are.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
D. FRANCISCO: It’s always good to be exposed to different types and genres of music. Yes, my single, “I Want Ya”, is on YouTube for anyone to enjoy.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
D. FRANCISCO: Definitely. Never give up on your dream. Persistence and consistency pay off! Also, having the right team is of critical importance.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
D. FRANCISCO: While there’s no such thing as perfection, whether in performance or elsewhere, it’s a professional’s duty to make sure it’s minimized and unnoticed. Nothing should detract from the message the music is conveying. Always keep practicing & maintaining your chops.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
D. FRANCISCO: We’re actually in the very early stages of planning a tour, so for now, I can only say to stay posted! It’s definitely great to encounter other cultures and ways of life while on tour.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
D. FRANCISCO: It usually comes about when I feel very passionately about something or someone, but can’t express it in mere words. Voilà – a tune is born!
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
D. FRANCISCO: Yes, please checkout my website: www.dfrancisco.com. From there, you can connect to my FaceBook page, in addition to my YouTube channel, Twitter, and SoundCloud.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
D. FRANCISCO: I’m not sure you’d find anything really embarrassing, but there’s definitely some funny songs by a punk mariachi group called Los Super Elegantes. My friend Liz Cohen gave me one of their albums a while back, and some of the lyrics are hilarious!
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
D. FRANCISCO: In addition to doing more volunteer work and helping out more charities, I’d probably be working on more songs for future albums.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
D. FRANCISCO: For better or for worse, I’m perhaps the least techie Millennial you’ll ever meet, but I’m blessed with a wonderful production team, and I know that Peter Barker is always up on the latest and greatest equipment.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
D. FRANCISCO: It’s definitely a unique style. So far, the “I Want Ya” music video has proven to be an excellent way for people to listen and hear what it’s all about.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
D. FRANCISCO: Wow! How do I narrow it down? Since many great artists have inspired me over the years, the list is enormous! To name just a few: Plácido Domingo, Alejandro Fernández, Luis Miguel, David Bisbal, Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko, Cecilia Bartoli, Céline Dion, Shakira, & Thalía. All of them have been a tremendous influence for me.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
D. FRANCISCO: For sure! My debut album is being released on June 3rd, and eventually, a tour. Stay posted!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
D. FRANCISCO: Hmm…it would probably still involve music, even if not in a performing capacity. I love history, so perhaps I’d be a music history professor at some university.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
D. FRANCISCO: I must’ve been around 6 years old, & remember two albums, which I got at the same time. One was the Amadeus soundtrack, & the other was Julio, by Julio Iglesias. I was very happy to get the CD’s, as the LP’s my parents had couldn’t play in the car!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
D. FRANCISCO: It’s all about keeping a balance and staying grounded. Having a daily ritual also helps enormously.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
D. FRANCISCO: My debut album is being released on June 3rd. I’m super excited!
D. Francisco Releases Modern Latin Dance / Opera / Pop Fusion Single “I Want Ya”
Hashtag: #IwantYa
Buy/Stream Link: https://DFRANCISCO.lnk.to/IWantYaMusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/SbFVSaw8xkE
