A singer-songwriter who wears his heart on his sleeve, Clayton Francis newest single is titled 'Cut The Tether'.
Formally of indie rock band Until Home, Clayton has been creating his own solo music the past few years releasing a string of singles.Clayton will be part of the line-up for SPARK Ipswich's Waghorn To West indie live music crawl (spread across four venues on one night) next month joining the likes of Bugs, Lisi, Greta Stanley, Hallie, WIIGZ, Asha Jefferies, Austin McKay, Dennis. and others.
Who is... My name is Clayton Francis and I'm a singer-songwriter and I've been writing and performing music for six years. I was in a band called Until Home and we released two EPs where I learnt a lot about the production side of songs.
From there I delved more into songwriting and co-writing with other artists including Zachary, Gabriel Conte and Zeek Power.
I then reached a point where I was writing material that really resonated with me and my personal journey after the band broke up and my sister passing away, and knew it was time I stepped out and released my original music as Clayton Francis.
I sound like... I'd say my sound is a healthy and flirty mixture between Jon Bellion, LANY, LAUV and Coldplay.
My first gig was... One of my first shows I ever played was at Studio 188 in 2015 supporting a little, old, unknown band called Gang Of Youths on their tour before their debut album.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Deciding on an artist name as a singer-songwriter is actually one of the most difficult things I've had to do.
You've got artists that have stage names like Bon Iver, Lady Gaga and Usher. Or you have the option to just use your actual name. I didn't want to use my last name, so I went with Clayton Francis, my middle name instead.
In the studio I usually... Jam around until I land on something I think is cool and I like, and then from there write a topline with a melody and sing lyrics, mostly gibberish until something unique pops into my head. The songs then evolve into what they eventually become and what people hear.
If I could tour with anyone... It's a big, long list but right now I'd love to be touring with LANY on their world tour.
Social media is... A necessary evil. My song 'Everybody's Paranoid' that I released earlier this year talks about it and how it impacts the current generation.
My favourite app at the moment is... One hundred per cent YouTube, I live on it! It's got everything, from music to gaming to film and TV. Oh, and Lego reviews.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Probably the time I was in the crowd after supporting the headline artist and proceeded to jump up on a chair and break it immediately.
Life on the road can be... Challenging. My spirit animal is a puppy, so I always feel like I have to be doing something and keeping occupied by being productive and that's hard when you're travelling or in a vehicle.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... I'm a bit of a coffee snob so a variety of coffee brewing methods and a selection of coffee; is that too much!?
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... There was a time I was travelling to New Zealand and the plane hit some really bad turbulence when we were passing through the mountains before landing. The whole flight basically thought we were going to die judging from the screams.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... Ryan Reynolds. That guy can sell anything and do anything, and people love and adore him.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? LA. My wife and I travelled there with friends in late 2019 right before COVID hit and I loved it. Plus, they have Disneyland.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Christopher Nolan, John Mayer and Elon Musk. I'd love to pick their brains and have their knowledge in all things business, art and culture.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I make a pretty mean Spaghetti Bolognaise. El dente pasta is where I shine.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I'm a lover and a bit of a fury baby whisperer; even my brother in law's cat seems to love me more than him by cuddling up to me.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Kombucha. That'll set you back a pretty penny.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Actually, just before the birth of my son late last year as I was rehabilitating my torn ACL.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Mopping. I absolutely hate it and the floor always seems to get dirtier after I mop, so what's the point!?
Do you have any phobias... Yeah, grasshoppers or locusts. They're so unpredictable. They jump, they fly, they've got those hind legs and that big abdomen.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I would actually love to! My friend and I entered in 'The Amazing Race' last year and would have loved to be involved.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I'm not a prankster, and never have been. I'd literally be Winston from 'New Girl'; I'd do something too little or too big.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? There's a new kebab joint near my place, Krave Kebab, and their gyros are to die for.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I grew up watching 'Scrubs' in high school and always thought I saw myself in J.D. He's whacky and has a funny sense of humour sometimes, but then always knew how to be heartfelt and sincere at the right moment.
Last show you binge-watched? I'm currently binge-watching two shows simultaneously. 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' and 'The King Of Queens'. They couldn't possibly be more opposite.
What's kept me glued to the screen is the fact that my wife and I have welcomed a baby boy in the last 12 months and there's not much else to do in the dark throughout the night other than watch TV shows on your phone with headphones in.
Waghorn To West takes place at Circa 160, Goleby's Basement, Hotel Metropole and Studio 188 (Ipswich) on 9 July.
Waghorn To West 2022 Line-up
BugsLisi
Greta Stanley
Hallie
WIIGZ
Asha Jefferies
Austin McKay
Dennis.
Emily Grace Taylor
Flamingo Blonde
Melaleuca
Nicole McKinney
Clayton Francis
DuO
Soviet X-Ray Record Club
T.A.S.
