LESLIE: A couple years back you showed us a good time at Nightingale Plaza for a private Supreme Holiday Party. What are some of your favorite nightclubs and how did you get in the scene?
FRANCIS: “I was a regular at Blind Dragon and Bootsy Bellows. Shortly after, I became acquainted with Roman Royale of SBE. Nightingale Plaza and Hyde were the spots I was at for a while and became my new favorites. I make my occasional appearance every now and then. It’s a great way of meeting new people, but I don’t party nearly as much as I used to.”
You were one of the models photographed by Cully Wright in ISSUE 06 for the “Fall for
Pretty Strangers” Editorial.
“[Modeling] was something I never sought after, but it kind of just happened. In late 2015, I was introduced to Asato Iida. He connected me with brands like X-Large, OBEY, and 10 DEEP. I love streetwear, but it was all I was doing for a while. Lately, I’ve been into more upscale fashion. The last couple things I worked on was ROOM13 Jewelry and BOND NYC. I’m currently independent and only choose to work with brands I resonate with.”
I also heard you studied and work in fashion.
“Shortly after I graduated FIDM, I was an assistant for a Product Developer named Kolby Harwood. I was lucky enough to help with the production for WIL FRY, Midnight Studios, Visitor on Earth, and much more.
I’m now developing a new line with my twin that I can’t talk too much
about.”
With a background in fashion and modeling what made you pursue music and why?
“My next door neighbor was in a band back when I was a teenager and I thought it was so cool to be a musician. I eventually became a drummer and started a garage band with my twin LURKCHILD. I feel like it’s the drummer in me why I became obsessed with Trap music. It
was something about the percussion in these kinds of beats that spoke to me. Now, I combine these elements to create alternative R&B/Hip-Hop.
I would dabble in poetry as well. I think it’s a healthy way to express yourself. Certain lyrics I listen to help me get through tough times because I don’t feel like I’m alone when I’m going through it. I think about this when I write mine because I want to help people with my music.”
Who are some of your favorite artists and why?
“I started off listening to punk bands like Bad Brains, 7 Seconds, and The Germs.
It wasn’t until high school when I started smoking weed for the first time that I was introduced to Hip-Hop. My first obsessions were Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, and A$AP Rocky. Cudi and A$AP were huge influences for me during that time because I was a misfit then. They made me not feel weird for being different and having a unique style. I would then later become more fascinated with
Atlanta trap artists like Rich the Kid, Quavo, and Key!
I also really respect Lil Peep and Ricky Hil because they mixed alternative rock with R&B/Hip-Hop. They weren’t afraid to talk about their feelings even if it’s really grim. I strive to do the same.”
What are your thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop?
“I always loved how Trap beats made me feel. Although, I find it insane how Hip-Hop made things like misogyny, slut shaming, and drug abuse normal. I want to help change that. Even when I talk about heartbreak I would never use certain overused profanities to put someone down.”
You currently have a single out now. When can we expect new music?
“My debut EP “Ghost Girl” is set to release this month on Valentine’s Day! I feel it’s the right time to drop this project since I touch on topics like love and heartbreak. I wrote the lyrics through out the course of a couple years about various romantic relationships I was involved in. I co-produced all of the songs with my good friend Resident Who. He engineered and mixed the entire project. It’s our first project together and hopefully the first of many."
Francis Wolfe's "Ghost Girl” EP will be available on all streaming platforms on February 14 (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc.) and on SoundCloud and YouTube.
