FRANKMUSIK
BUFFALO BAR, LONDON
WORDS: Marisa Brickman
August 22, 2007
We were drawn to Frankmusik (aka Vincent Frank) awhile ago for his fresh approach to electronic pop music. Finally, here's a kid who can write songs, sing really well, produce AND play instruments. Talent. And he's 21 years old.
Frankmusik's debut live show took place last Wednesday supporting GoodBooks' residency at Goonite Club at Buffalo Bar.
The line of kids waiting to get in by 7pm was growing (doors were at 8pm) while the A&R dudes waited it out next door at The Famous Cock. We snuck in a few minutes before 8 just as the party was about to kick off. GoodBooks warmed everyone up on the decks, while the teenage girls and boys tossed their hair and shuffled around in their multi-colored plimsoles.
After spending time keeping track of tune after tune being uploaded regularly to the visually spastic Frankmusik myspace page, and rocking out to the EP Frankisum, we couldn't help wonder which of the 14-odd songs he'd play live - and how he'd actually try to reproduce his sound on stage.
Although Frankmusik is pretty much all Vincent Frank, tonight he was joined by a keyboardist and drummer - who were all totally styling by the way. (You can't tell from the photo, but Vince had on jeans that were pushed up half-calf. How many people can rock that?)
Vince was playing a strap-on Korg, and sound was being mixed on stage through a Kaoss pad which is what gave the songs such a filtered sounding effect. And the vocals, spot on, but maybe a tad bit too much reverb.
They played only four songs - "Boyfriend", "Three Little Words", "In Step" and then ended with our favourite new one - the epic ballad "Run Away From Trouble". Less is more. Especially at the first gig. Good move. Leave them wanting more.