Multitalented Francesca Lombardo is known for her own, representative sound. This DJ, producer, singer, musician and composer with envious musical background gained a lot of fans and admirers for her live performances, unique vocals and emotions she bring to the dance floor. We got an opportunity to chat with Francesca about her latest EP Upper Hour, upcoming gig in Romania and she also recalled her memories from Exit Festival. Enjoy!
Hi Francesca, for starters, I want to ask you how you are feeling at the moment? You just came back from your tour, right? How was it?
It was amazing, the parties were so special, all offering something different and as I tour North and South America quite often, it’s always so nice being able to reconnect with the friends I have made out there on past travels!
Your new release, „Upper Hour“ EP is just out on Beatport. Tell us something more about it. What is the story behind it?
Well it’s a return for me to Leftroom Records, owned by my good friend Matt Tolfrey. His studio is based directly next to mine and it’s a lot of fun sharing a creative space with someone like Matt, we can bounce ideas off each other whenever. The main chunk of “Upper Hour” was written over a period of a few hours. Whenever I revisited it and the more its overall sound developed, the more it seemed suited for Leftroom!
One of the tracks from this EP, „Django“ is also getting a video, right?
Yes, I recorded it in Monterrey and am just editing it now myself… It’s an idea I’ve had since I finished the track but I could never find the right setting and people for it. It’s my first at attempt at making a music video, so let’s see what comes out of it.
During my “French Fried” Monterrey gig, I spotted some cool dancers and asked if they were willing to feature in a video for me. Everything flowed naturally from there. It’s a simple idea, but I think it’ll be cool and can’t wait for people to see it!
„Upper Hour“ is a three-tracker, so I have to ask you if you have a favorite track and why?
I don’t have a favourite really, all three have been going down very well on the dancefloor, they are all a lot of fun to play out but perhaps I have been going for “Django” the most.
You recently made a remix for Manuela Gandolfo’s track „Arcadia“. How did your cooperation start and what was your starting idea with the remix?
I’ve known Manuela for a while now and we’ve always bonded over music, particularly similar styles of melodically infused electronica. I wanted to put her music out on my label Echoe, so we released one Manuela original alongside a spacey collaboration from both of us and a remix from myself, which was a lot of fun to do!
What is the best thing about performing live?
I love playing live, partly because it is such a different experience to when I DJ. I can focus a lot more on the performance aspect of the gig, which can be very absorbing, making time fly by. I often feel like it’s started before it has begun!
Recognizable aspect in your work are of course your vocals, in both your tracks and live performance, how much do you consider them important for a track?
It depends on the track and the way it grows completely but I can often see the vocals as just an addition to the song rather than its main element.
Do you have some other passion beside music?
My cat, cooking, nature and Wonder Woman!
You really left a great impression on people in Serbia after your performance at Exit Festival last year. Do you have any memories maybe that you would like to share?
It was such a great experience; the dancefloor was huge and the location so beautiful. I would love to get back there soon! Last time, I played the closing set and all the dancers were on fire.
You are playing at UR.BASM festival in Bucharest, so what are you expectations?
I am sure it will be an incredible festival, not just because the lineup is so special, which I have got to try and cover as much as possible whilst I am there, but also because Bucharest has such a thriving scene. Everyone seems to have such good taste!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u4cf8slFDo
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