- Words Mike Vinti
- Photography William Moggs
Last time we saw Francobollo live they all swapped instruments, half of them were lying on the ground and they were surrounded by haystacks.
Social media has changed the way we interact with our favourite artists. More than just musicians, they’re now personalities, people we can interact with on the daily. Now more than ever we’re aware that musicians are pretty normal people, they just have a weird job. Every week we get to know one of our favourite SoundCloud heroes, internet dating style, in our new column, Internet Crush.
Francobollo are the best thing to come out of Sweden since ABBA. Now based in London the four-piece craft raucous, often warped indie anthems, packed with wailing vocals and instrumentation that’s clearly influenced by punk and psychedelia but still carries some pop appeal. They’re also one of the best live bands around, gaining a reputation for blistering live shows throughout the capital. We first discovered them in the small hours of the morning at LOST Festival a few years ago and we’ve been fans ever since. They’ve just dropped their new single ‘We’re Dead’ and they’re headlining Omeara on the 29th of May so we caught up with the chaotic quartet for this week’s Internet Crush.
Who is/ was Kinky Lola?
It’s a homage to the Kinks and their song “Lola”.
What’s the best thing about Lund?
Cheap falafel.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever done on stage?
Drummer Sean Bean went on stage once and drunkenly sang “If I Can Dream” by Elvis acapella as an encore. Probably the best thing Switzerland’s ever seen.
Who do you roll with?
Gaste skateboarders and people nose diving between philosophy and funk.
Describe your sound in just a sentence:
“Francobollo’s everything you ever wanted for Christmas but was too afraid ask.”
Favourite colour:
Burgundy Blue.
Favourite movie:
The Square by Ruben Östlund! Such an amazing film!
What’s your star sign?
Aquarius.
Have you ever been in love?
Yes.
Have you ever had your heartbroken?
Yes.
How do you deal with a broken heart?
Music. Listen to it, make it, play it and keep yourself occupied. Time’s the only healer and time goes faster when you’re having fun. “Idle hands is the devil’s workshop,” a Pittsburghian said to me.
Last book you read:
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Amazing book! Everyone should read it. The language she uses and the way she writes is playful and refreshing.
First single/album you ever bought?
Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
First band/act you ever went to see live?
Red Hot Chili Peppers supported by Iggy Pop and Papa Roach in Copenhagen. It was dope, I remember waving my newly bought band tee which I still wear 15 years later repeatedly slapping this man in the face with it. 100% cotton.
Earliest memory?
Playing football with my dad at a family gathering when I was 5.
What do you do in your spare time?
“Well, they ask me why I’m drunk all the time/ It levels my head and eases my mind / I just walk along and stroll and sing / I see better days and I do better things”
Are you a morning or evening person?
Depends on what I did the evening before – but usually I’m an evening person.
First song you ever wrote?
I think the song was called “Apartment Song” and it was literally about me going to this girl’s apartment. I can’t remember the girl… or the apartment. Must’ve been like thirteen.
Favourite song of your own?
It’s always the newest one.
Favourite lyric?
“Living off borrowed time, the clock ticks faster / That’d be the hour they knock the slick blaster / Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter.” – ‘Accordion’, Madvillain.