Etienne David Franc for MusicforMelancholy
By:
Sonia Raquel Limas
Etienne
David Franc hails from New York, New York. He is an artist I truly sought after
since the summer of 2012.We finally found some time to convene during the
holidays to talk about music and his upcoming projects. Etienne David Franc was
born in Manhattan. He has always had music all around him ever since he was
young. His parents instilled great music in his life, while growing up in New
York and in the New Jersey area, music such as Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane,
R&B, Funk, Soul, Disco, Classic and Folk. All this music was very much a
part of the wealth of his formative years. From the beginning Etienne had a
vast knowledge of music. An interesting fact is he grew up during the birth of
Hip Hop.
“
I remember I would go into the record shops in New York and I would run into
some of the members of the Rock Steady Crew and they would show me their album
covers with their graffiti art.” Etienne said. To be at the burgeoning of hip
hop seeing KRS 1 and Rakim in the cipher circles must of have had an influence
for him to pursue his career in music.
Etienne’s
stomping grounds as a teenager was in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The
sounds that enveloped the streets at the time were Ska, Punk, Reggae,
Dancehall, and Hip Hop. Around this time, he dropped out of high school and
started experimenting with drugs. He started hanging out more and pursued his love
of music. In the mid 90’s, he and a few friends decided to move to Santa Cruz,
California. When he arrived in Santa Cruz, he expanded his creative forces and
began performing at such venues at Palookaville and Red Room. Around this point
he met Gabriel Rene’ and their friendship and musical collaboration began.
During
this time Etienne was honing his producing skills and ventured into that avenue
of music. He attended Cabrillo College and worked at Zachary’s Restaurant in downtown
Santa Cruz. Etienne discovered sobriety and became sober in 19999. Nine months
later, Etienne auditioned for the band OPM, which was a fusion of Hip Hop, Ska,
and Funk. OPM toured a big leg of Europe Spain, Italy, and Germany. OPM also
opened for Everlast and they were featured on “ Tops of The Pops;” a popular T.V. program in the U.K.
When
he returned to the states, he started to play in the band Soulstice that
featured; Gabriel Rene’, Mei Lwun Yee, Andy Caldwell, and Gina Rene’. I
listened to all of their LP’S and I recommended all of them.
Etienne
decided to move down to Southern California and pursue his goals as an artist.
Etienne
auditioned for the Singer Aimee Allen, who was signed to Elektra Records. He
toured with her for a year. After the tour, there was a musical hiatus and gigs
started to stall out. Etienne said, “ I felt at the time I just didn’t feel
creatively connected, I had a job and I had just been promoted, but my heart
gravitated towards my creative side.”
In
2008 Etienne moved back to Santa Cruz. Around this time I attended Etienne and
Gina’s shows at the former Asana Tea House in Down Town Santa Cruz. What I saw
was a natural respect for the art and that’s what kept me coming back to all
their shows.
Etienne’s
long-standing creative relationship with the Rene’ Family turned into an
opportunity to collaborate with Chris Rene. He became his touring bassist
traveled with him across the country last summer. In March of 2012 he appeared
along with Chris Rene’ on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
In
November of 2012, I went to see Afro Beat Box at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz, CA.
Afro Beat Box is an eclectic collective of artist’s such as: Sambada’, AZA,
BlyndSyte, Flor De Cana, and Gina & Etienne. The idea was to encompass these
great artists because of the root of their music has African origins. Sounds
of; Funk, R&B, Cuban Son, Turkish, Hip Hop, Beat Boxing and Afro-Brazilian.
These eclectic variations of sound formed into Afro Beat Box and I highly
recommend checking out their next performance.
After
interviewing Etienne I got the essence of who he is as an artist. I view him as
an artist’s artist. I am impressed by how he understands all the dynamics of
the creative process and he does it with “Alma”
meaning soul in Spanish. Each Time, I have attended his performances; he has
shown me generosity and puts on a stellar show. I hope this gives my friends
and family of Music For Melancholy a better insight into Etienne’s music. I am
very excited for what 2013 will bring creatively for me and Etienne.
Etienne
David Franc’s most recent project is The
GAME LP released on November 26th, 2012 with his band Check In The Dark his band since 2005.
Thank
You,
Sonia
Raquel Limas –January 2013
www.facebook.com./EtienneDfrancKostar
www.facebook.com/EtienneDavidFranc
