EMQs With Frant1c
EMQ’s With Frant1c
Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Progressive Rock project Frant1c. Huge thanks to Anne-Claire Rallo for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Anne-Claire Rallo, I play keyboards in my band Nine Skies, but for my solo project ‘Frant1c’ I also composed some guitar parts. Frant1c is a solo project I initiated running alongside Nine Skies, and was brought to life following the loss of my husband Eric Bouillette (Nine Skies, The Room, etc.).
The core lineup features familiar names: Alexandre Lamia (Nine Skies, Ingaro), Alexis Bietti (Nine Skies, Genesya), Johnny Marter (Nine Skies, Marillion, Mr. Big, Brian May, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, etc…), Martin Wilson (The Room, Grey Lady Down), Helen Tiron (Sun Q), and John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, Arena, Asia, Frost, etc.), who is overseeing the mixing and mastering.
The debut album, ‘A Brand New World’, is set for release on 27th September 2024, with a second album already in progress.
How did you come up with your band name?
That was the most appropriate term I found at the time to express how I felt following my husband’s death.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m originally from the south of France, where the Metal/Rock scene is quite limited. I now live in England, and I find it much more open-minded.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
With the debut album set to be released on September 27th, there is currently just one pre-release track available online: ‘Where Have You Been?’
Who have been your greatest influences?
I listen to every genre of music, from classical to rock, and I’ve probably been influenced by all of them. The list would be too long! From John Williams and Saint-Saëns to Opeth, Talk Talk, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Arena, Ozzy Osbourne, and Frost…
What first got you into music?
My older brother was into music, as a singer and guitarist, and he introduced me to it at a young age. Our parents also took us to the classical conservatory when we were very young. I’m grateful for that!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
John Williams, Opeth, Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel… the list would be too long to include all of them here once again!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
It would be the Cruise to the Edge. The lineups are always amazing, and I love boats. I’ve dreamed of attending but never had the chance, so imagine being part of an edition!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
I prefer the term ‘listeners,’ and I’d like to thank them for the fantastic support and love they show. It means the world to me—nothing could happen without them.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Freddie Mercury.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy creating and expressing personal feelings as a form of catharsis; sharing that with musicians, friends, or the audience. It creates such a powerful connection between people, don’t you think so?
What I dislike… not much, really. Perhaps the tendency nowadays, largely due to social media, for some people to express opinions without any foundation or arguments, just for the sake of it. Don’t get me wrong—I’m totally fine with the fact that some people might not like our music. However, I can’t understand why someone would trash a creative work, which represents such a personal investment from musicians, without any rational basis.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I am quite young to comment on earlier years, but it’s clear that a significant change has occurred over the last 20 years or so. One major issue is that it has become even more difficult than it already was for professional musicians to make a living from their work or to book decent gigs. Additionally, there should be a shift away from viewing music purely as a commercial product and refocus on the art itself, rather than on the numbers it will sell. I promise you, people would still listen to and buy great music.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
It’s impossible to name one! “Damnation” by Opeth.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Nothing is best for everyone; it depends on what you personally like the most.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Support act for Fish.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’m not a professional musician, but I work in the music field as I run a music PR agency. As for hobbies, I enjoy writing (I’ve written a few books) and I’d also be interested in working in the film or video games industry. I used to work with animals as well.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Haha, the famous question! I think my answer changes every time! Today, I’d choose Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Freddie Mercury, Steven Spielberg, and Albert Einstein.
What’s next for the band?
Well, at the moment we’re focused on the release of this album, and we’ve already started working on the next one!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://linktr.ee/frant1c Linktr.ee
https://frant1c.bandcamp.com Bandcamp
https://www.facebook.com/frant1cband Facebook
https://www.youtube.com/@frant1cband Youtube
https://ftf-shop.com/product/frant1c-a-brand-new-world Shop
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Well, this is a really serious matter, and if you’re curious, Jaffa Cakes are classified as cakes rather than biscuits under UK law, which affects their tax treatment and categorisation. But I’m not really into it; I am a HUGE Cadbury lover, though.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for the highlight, and once again, thanks to everyone who listens to and supports our music. It may not be the most original thing to say, but it’s possibly the most important. It means the world to us!
