neal francis
Wilco, Neal Francis Release Live Version of ‘Theologians’
Fellow Chicago-based acts Wilco and Neal Francis are releasing their recent collaborative live version of Wilco’s “Theologians” as a one-day-only digital single, with proceeds to benefit the Chicago-based social impact organization My Block My Hood My City and the International Rescue Committee’s efforts to aid Ukrainian refugees. The track will be available exclusively through Bandcamp on a “pay what you want” basis. This rendition of “Theologians” was recorded Jan. 20 at Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Mexican artist Daniel Herrera designed the cover for the download, the original version of which can be found on Wilco’s 2004 album A Ghost Is Born. “As a Chicagoan, I’ve spent most of my life looking up to Wilco, so naturally I was thrilled when they asked me to sit...
15 Minute Live Performances: Neal Francis
If there’s a name that you best be aware of in 2022, it’s Neal Francis. Ever since the Chicago-based musician teased out tracks of his new album, In Plain Sight, late last year, he’s been an absolute tear. “Problems,” Francis’ the groovy, laidback earworm has been a fixture across SiriusXM’s rock channels because of the way it seamlessly checks every box on what a good rock song should sound like. And the results speak for themselves. Francis is playing before his biggest audiences yet and is not only an artist on the rise, he’s an artist that’s there. Rewinding for a second, when we caught up with Francis in our Day in the Life feature, he outlined exactly what his process is. As he said in that feature, “Soul, R&B, funk, rock, disco, psychedelia, classical: All of those in a mix...
A Day in the Life of…Neal Francis
Neal Francis has been playing the piano for as long as he can remember and always dreamed of becoming a musician. “Our first piano was in the dining room. I loved to perform for my family or anyone who would stand and watch,” he says. “My mom and dad had a huge influence on my taste. They both love music and it was playing in our house at all times.” His long-awaited sophomore album, In Plain Sight, proves to be one of the year’s best releases, with the singer/songwriter’s unique musical genre-blend inarguably addictive. In his own words, his sound is eclectic: “Soul, R&B, funk, rock, disco, psychedelia, classical: All of those in a mix. I usually tell people it’s rock ‘n roll. Glide funk.” A mesmerizing performer, he’s having such a good time, you almost overlook he’s a virtuoso on th...
