Frankie Swain
Interview conducted on Feb. 14, 2020
by Dan Locke
Dan Locke: How did you get the title of your debate single “Hook, Line, and Sinker”?
Frankie Swain: ‘Hook, Line and Sinker’ is a song about when you’re with someone who you know you shouldn’t be with but something about then keeps reeling you in. You know they’ve got you, they know they’ve got you, everyone knows they’ve got you hook, line and sinker.
What music did you listen to growing up?
I listened to a lot of different music growing up! My parents had records from Elton John to the Sex Pistols and everything in between but I remember loving a lot of folk/singer-songwriters, artists like Tracey Chapman, Don McLean, and Simon and Garfunkel were standing outs for me.
How did you get into music?
Music has been and will always be such a huge part of my life. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to do music. I remember being a little kid and insisting that my mum put my hair in pigtails because I wanted to be like Baby Spice and would sing songs into my hairbrush, perfecting my performance in the mirror.
How did you get your first guitar and do you still have it?
I got my first guitar for my 11th birthday, it was actually an electric guitar. It was a bright red Fender, I don’t play it much anymore as I prefer my acoustic more but I defiantly still have it.
How did you start to write your own songs?
When I was about 11 or 12 years old I moved schools and I was pretty upset with my parents about this so I got home a wrote a song about how to mean they were and I’ve just been writing ever since.
Tell me about Canterbury Christ Church University? What was your major?
CCCU has a few locations, I went to the Broadstairs campus which is an in a lovely little seaside town in the southeast of England. I studied Commercial Music Performance and I had such an amazing time, it was so great to work with so many talented musicians.
The first big moment of your musical career happened back in Feb. 2017. You were asked to join Steve Rodgers on his 2017 tour. How was it? And did you get to meet Bad Company’s, Paul Rodgers?
It was so much fun! I really learned a lot from that tour as a musician and performer. Although it was definitely tiring, I just loved every moment of it. I, unfortunately, didn’t meet Paul but Steve is such a kind, sweet person, traits I imagine he picked up from his dad.
What has been the biggest crowd you have played for?
I’d probably have to say the biggest crowd was when I supported an Irish band called Keywest at a venue called the Borderline in London. I think there was around 300 ish there that night.
Let’s talk about your song “Emergency Alarms”. A lot of people have to deal with mental health issues. Do you feel your song opens up the topic more?
I certainly hope it does open up the topic and gets people talking. Emergency Alarms is about talking to one another and when you find yourself struggling make sure you reach out to someone and talk it through with them and get any help that you might need. Don’t suffer in silence.
Let talk about your latest EP “September”. Tell me about the back story of the EP?
In 2018 I met with Dave and Yann from the band PictureHouse and in September of that year I flew to Dublin and we started writing together. The songs that are on my EP were all written during the songwriting session of September. Working with Dave and Yann on this EP has helped me develop as a songwriter and I’m so grateful to have had them with me during this process.
How do you see 2020?
I think 2020 will be full of hard work, lots of gigs and more music.
Any plans to tour the US?
Not currently but I would love to do a US tour! I know my last two single were heavily streamed on Spotify in America so maybe I should start planning a tour!
How do you see yourself in 5 years
I hope to be selling out bigger and better venues, perhaps to have released an album.
Anything in closing you would like to say?
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen to my EP ‘September’ which is available to stream and download worldwide and to keep up to date with what I’m up to, follow me on Facebook or Instagram @FrankieSwainMusic
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