Karima Francis – Shelf Life

By starrymag | January 23, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Emotive – raw

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) John Martyn, Arthur Russell, The National, Sharon Van Etten

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Shelf Life.” The theme of the song is the homelessness crisis. Why is this such an important cause for you?

A) “Shelf Life” is a song I wrote in LA one morning on the way to a studio. I was looking onto the growing homelessness epidemic LA and feeling extremely uncomfortable to see the amount of people who are helpless on the streets in a place of luxury. I guess it just messed with my head I just felt a natural pull to write about it.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think people connect to emotion in the song and the song’s timbre. Also, lyrically it’s shares a simple but strong universal message for anyone and everyone not just people who are homeless. People like you or me, it’s hard not being seen.

Q) How does the video, by Joseph Calhoun, for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The film was filmed out in LA and we followed the day in the life of ‘Terry’ the man in the film. We wanted to give perspective from what someone experienced in their daily routine living on the streets of LA.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) This song actually came to me in the backseat of an Uber, so I wrote the phrase ‘It’s hard on the shelf life” and then I put the music to that. Normally I write the music first and then put the lyrics down but this one was different. Songwriting changes all the time. It depends what instrument you write with the topic, I think.

Q) The song was produced by Tim Carr, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) I’m fully involved with the production of the song. I would say I co-produce. I know what I want and the sound I want to achieve. This is why I went to America to work with people who can bring a sound to my music that I’ve been looking for.

Q) In what ways can people get involved and active in helping their local homeless?

A) People can look up who their local charity or organization and reach out to ask if they can volunteer, donate clothing, money, etc. I think just being aware these people are there maybe just smiling and saying hello to someone.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Karima Francis performance?

A) It’s always quite intimate when I perform live. It’s always very quiet and the crowds are endearing. I’m going to be doing some band shows in the New Year. I usually play solo with one other person. So, with the band it’s going to sound a lot fuller. I’m actually really excited about going on the road with more than one or two people!

Q) Will there be an EP or full album coming in the near future?

A) The plan is to release an album later in the year. Currently just feeding out the singles one by one until the album is finished.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I really love playing Apollo size theaters! I’ve never played my own headline show (it’s my dream one day too), but I supported some people and it was way up there with one of the best experiences of my life.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to sing with The National.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I love the latest record Terms of Surrender from Hiss Golden Messenger and Two Hands by Big Thief. I’m digging this new Americana artist Joel Levi.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is nice way of keeping your fan base up to date with what you’re up to in terms of releases and tour dates definitely important!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I would like to say thank you for taking the time out of their probably very busy lives to listen to my art and support me and my music still after so many years. You make me feel so much love and give me great strength and confidence in what I do.

I love you all and I appreciate you. ❤️

 

 

Watch The Video For “Shelf Life”