Immerse yourself in the healing sounds with Kid Francescoli

The performance at the Idecaf stage in Ho Chi Minh City concluded Kid Francescoli's tour in Vietnam. Travellive reporters had the opportunity to chat with musician Mathieu Hocine, the group's founder, about Kid Francescoli's songwriting direction and musical inspirations.

My dream is to play music freely.

Hi Kid Francescoli, could you introduce yourself to Travellive readers? How did you form the band Kid Francescoli? How long have you been playing and recording music?

I founded the band Kid Francescoli in 2006. Before that, I played in several other bands, and I felt that I should have my own band. Since forming the band, I've collaborated with many other artists to jam together. But I've always remained a core member of the band.

What's it like to have your own band and play music with them on stage?

It was a pleasant and completely liberating experience. Before, when I played music with other bands, we had to exchange and discuss songs, performance styles, songwriting directions, etc. I didn't feel like myself when playing with them. When I formed Kid Francescoli, I could use my own instruments, my own computer, take a different approach, and I felt completely free.

In your memory, which performance was the most memorable?

It's difficult to single out one most memorable night; the band has performed and toured so many places. Some nights we still remember are at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. It's the oldest theatre in Paris, and performing there has always been a dream for us. Then there were the nights in Mexico, where we remember the enthusiastic audience, and the dreamlike performance in New York. Now, there's the show in Vietnam, a country we've always longed to visit. There are so many nights and memories that it's impossible to name just one.

Have you ever been to Vietnam? What was it like playing music and performing here?

This is my first time in Vietnam. I feel excited and happy to have the opportunity to perform music in this country with such a rich cultural identity. Through my performances here, I feel that the audience has given me a warm welcome.

Furthermore, exploring Vietnam has been my dream since childhood. The experiences I've had in Vietnam during this time are similar to what I learned from books and articles. Performing on stages in Vietnam gives me the opportunity to interact and meet the audience directly, and I love that.

Use three words to describe the music you are composing. What genre of music are you playing?

Kid Francescoli plays electro-pop. Our music is: dreamy, lively, and relaxing, gentle.

Creative inspiration comes from life.

Where do you find your material and inspiration for songwriting? How do you find the material for your music?

Naturally, I draw inspiration from music first. Besides that, I find inspiration from other art forms such as film, books, theater, and my own observations of life. I also draw material from my travels, love, friendships, and the experiences I've accumulated.

How many albums has the band released? What themes do those albums revolve around?

Kid Francescoli has released five albums. The main themes revolve around love and friendship. Regarding love, the themes are very diverse: romantic love, familial love, love for film and music, forbidden love, unrequited love, and first feelings of love... Love encompasses everything.

Which director and film genre do you like best?

My favorite films are those of director John Cassavetes. John's filmmaking style is very realistic. Music critics often describe our music as having a cinematic quality. Therefore, knowledge from film has helped Kid Francescoli develop his music a great deal.

Composing healing music

How can we better understand Kid Francescoli's music? What is the typical reaction of fans when he releases a new song?

For live performances, the audience's reaction I've encountered has been one of pure enjoyment, enthusiasm, and smiles while listening to the music. Witnessing that makes me happier and gives me more motivation to create music. The audience also commented that they feel comfortable listening to my music.

In particular, after a concert, a little boy came up and said that my music had healing properties. My initial intention was simply to make music in a way that I enjoyed. However, Kid Francescoli still aims for gentle, cheerful compositions that help listeners feel comfortable and release their worries.

What are your future plans? Do you want to experiment with different materials in your current electro-pop line?

Electro pop is the most fundamental genre I'm currently playing. However, each album will incorporate a different genre. In the future, we will experiment and blend even more elements. We'll be finishing our international tour this coming September and then focusing on the album.

Do you have anything you'd like to say to the Vietnamese audience?

I'm so happy to meet the Vietnamese audience. I'm delighted to see so many young people in Vietnam who love electro-pop. Your kindness and the beauty of your culture, architecture, and cuisine are exactly as I've envisioned. I hope the band will have the opportunity to return to Vietnam again soon.

Anh Thi