We recently connected with Baz Francis and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Baz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been one of the most meaningful projects you’ve worked on?
I think that all artists have to deal with condescending remarks from careerists who only view success in business terms, but without passion or meaning then I fear music would become just another number crunch to me. It has therefore always been essential for me to involve myself in work that is both fulfilling and meaningful, and a great example of this is something that I am currently working on with my dear friend, the author, Julia Peters.
Having made musical appearances at special launch events for Julia’s new book ‘Three Little Birds Burning in the Flames of War’ in London this July, I have now been invited to take part in a series of unique performances where Julia narrates whilst Vira Syvorotkina paints and I perform the music of Jethro Tull in Switzerland this September and October.
The first of these Swiss shows takes place at Breitisaal in Winkel on Saturday, September 23 from 7pm, entrance is FREE, and donations are very welcome. Please see the Facebook event page here in case any readers happen to be in Europe at this time: https://facebook.com/events/s/
All proceeds from the book’s sales go to charity, and you can read more about this cause that shall benefit refugees of the ongoing war in Julia’s native Ukraine on her Good Friends for Ukraine organisation’s website here: www.goodfriends-for-ukraine.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a musician, songwriter and music producer who got into this profession by starting out with my first band Mansion Harlots in 1997 before forming my next one, Magic Eight Ball, in 2004. I have also crafted a solo career around my band work, and I’ve collaborated with many artists over the years too.
I run my own label called Magic Cat Records Limited, and have been releasing music through it since 2011. My touring and recording has seen me work all around the world, and I’m proud to still be travelling with my music to this day.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
This summer marked the 25th anniversary of my first proper show with my band Mansion Harlots, and this fork in the road made me reflect on my quarter century in music since. To still be doing what I do and loving it after all this time despite of all the obstacles that lie before us all, both professionally and personally, feels like an act of resilience that I’m happy to continue.
Being in bands will always involve personnel changes too, so I’m also glad to have made it through my share of them to still go on to make music with more talented artists.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I have long sent out newsletters and been present online to promote my music, but during my temporary boycott of Facebook at the beginning of my time with Magic Eight Ball I quickly realized that I was cutting my nose off to spite my face in not being on there.
I built a following online over the years by trying out various platforms and learning where is best to focus my efforts across them. I listen to what the fashions are without following them blindly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundcloud.com/bazfrancis
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bazfrancis8
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bazfrancismusic
- Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/baz-francis-b450b922
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/magiceightball8
- Youtube: youtube.com/@ilovemagiceightball
- Other: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Eight_Ball_(band) https://soundcloud.com/magiceightball https://soundcloud.com/mansionharlots https://www.facebook.com/ilovemagiceightball https://www.facebook.com/mansionharlots youtube.com/@mansionharlots
Image Credits
Phill Milligan Rachel Newton-John Rob Payne Beth Cloutier Melanie Tucker