With a Four-Year Hiatus in the Rear-View Mirror, Sage Francis is Back On Tour to Support His Latest Effort, “Copper Gone”

Tim Wenger | May 31, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Jenn Cohen

CMB: Admittedly, I was not familiar with, Sage Francis, the “forefather of indie hip-hop,” until we crossed paths at a Youth On Record event here in Denver last year. I was quick to realize that the mere mention of your name elicited a response similar to what I would expect at the mention of the second coming . . . When I ask people about you, they light up, their hands extend, and it seems as though they’re searching for one perfect word to describe you: Poetic, Passionate, Aware, Intelligent, Truthful, and the list goes on. What, if anything, does is it mean to you that people are so impacted by your words?

SF: That’s amazing. You’d probably get a much different reaction if you were somewhere other than Denver. Haha. For some reason Colorado has always been one of the most supportive places for what I do. But to answer your question, it means a lot to me. It means that everything I’ve done is not for naught. It’s a nice feeling, so thanks for telling me that.

CMB: On the Strange Famous Records (Francis’ record label), website, it says your lyrics create “vivid narratives.” That’s a colossal understatement, in the best way, and spot on. It’s like hearing a story with vibrant colors. Do you consciously write with a message in mind, or do you write solely for you?

SF: Sometimes it’s both. Sometimes it’s neither. It all depends on what the driving force is behind the writing. Having a message is always nice, but that’s not necessary. Of course, depending on how you perceive things, practically anything can have a message. I enjoy creating the kind of songs that allow people to seek out their own meaning.

CMB: Your recent YouTube parody video addresses your “dis” of Florida, Detroit, someone’s front porch, etc. Do you feel that people always want more and more and more . . .? And is that unnerving? Flattering? Both?

SF: If you’ve ever worked in customer service, or the service industry on any level, then you know how some people tend to be when they don’t totally view you as a human being. That’s kind of how it is for entertainers. We’re part of the service industry and the “customer” (whether they’ve ever actually purchased something or not), feels that their personal complaints should be heard as well as addressed. Regardless of how ridiculous it might be. At this point, I welcome as much ridiculousness as possible. It doesn’t usually bug me because I know that people are actual fans of the music, but there are definitely moments when I wonder if some of these people consider me an actual human being with feelings, time restraints, space limitations, lack of super powers, etc.

CMB: Since I’m quite the “noob” to your work, do you still engage in “rap battles?” If so, are they impromptu spoken-word battles? What did/do these battles bring to the table for you?

SF: Battles were a way of getting myself in front of new crowds and proving myself as a versatile emcee. They were helpful in several ways, but it’s not the kind of thing you should dedicate too much of your time, career, or brain to. I don’t enter battles any more. Sometimes I help host battles at the “Church of Providence,” which is a monthly event B. Dolan throws in Providence. Battles have changed a lot over the years, but we don’t engage in the “spoken word” slam style of battling. We’ve been making people freestyle over beats. Not many people know how to do that anymore.

CMB: What drew you to hip-hop, as opposed to another genre, and if there is any other genre that you feel connected to, what is it, and why?

SF: I was drawn to hip-hop the moment I heard it; the rhymes, the attitude, the sounds, the drums. Everything about it was exciting to me. Much more than anything I had ever heard. Eventually, I came to appreciate almost all other genres, but the first cut is the deepest. I enjoy a lot of punk, metal, hardcore, folk, country, classical, etc. I’m not too picky. I do find myself listening mostly to ambient and piano-based music for leisure these days.

CMB: Is there an event that stands out as a significant turning point in your life, and how so?

SF: I remember winning my first talent contest when I was at a dance club for kids. I was 12 and I rapped over a beat that I brought on cassette tape. The crowd went nuts, and I ended up winning a signed T-shirt from the DJ. That was a big night for me because it seemed like everything I had dreamed about might actually come true. I wonder if I still have that shirt. I can’t imagine I would have thrown it out, but I can’t remember the last time I saw it. Whatever the case, I did become what I dreamed I would become but it’s nothing like what I thought it would be. That’s always the way.

CMB: You’re often referred to as the “forefather of indie hip-hop,” and “indie hip-hop pioneer.” Do you embrace that title or label? What does it mean to you?

SF: I think it’s an honor to be considered something like that, but it’s not like most people really know what it means. I came up with some very talented and influential artists, and we blazed many trails that have gone under documented. There isn’t much more I can say about that right now without writing a full book. And I’m sure that book will be written by someone someday…I just hope they know what the hell they’re doing. I’ve got some pictures they can use if need be. Pics, or it didn’t happen.

CMB: What is the biggest difference between Sage Francis today, and Sage Francis four years ago, before your hiatus?

SF: Four years ago, I made a concerted effort to step away from the obligations that currently stare me down from the moment I wake up until I sleep again. And really, there’s not much of a difference outside of the fact that I have a better understanding of where I stand with a lot of people.

CMB: Favorite/least favorite things about touring?

SF: I like being physically active and having a legitimate reason to be away from the things I typically need to do on the computer. I like the constant change of scenery. I like the desert at nighttime. I like driving through mountains and stopping at gas stations in towns that are lost in time. I like entertaining people. I don’t like the physical pain that comes with performing, the lack of sleep, the general exhaustion, the incessant small talk, being away from my cats, or the show anxiety.

CMB: If you could envision your last day on earth, what would that look like?

SF: I hope it looks like the scene in MacGruber when Cunth is kicked off of a cliff and MacGruber riddles him with bullets as he’s falling. And then MacGruber pees on him. Something epic like that.

CMB: Finally, name three songs that sum up, or best describe, the last four years of your life.

SF: Well…I made those songs (#NoPromo.) Seriously though:

“Pressure Cooker”

“Make Em Purr”

“Once Upon a Blood Moon”

Those are the three songs that best encapsulate the last 4 years of my life.

Catch Sage in Denver on June 9 @ the Gothic Theatre

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

5/29 STANHOPE, NJ – Stanhope House – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Metermaids 5/30 NYC – Le Poisson Rouge – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Metermaids 5/31 BOSTON, MA – Middle East – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Seez Mics 6/02 TORONTO, ON – Opera House – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, TBA 6/03 PITTSBURGH, PA – Altar Bar – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Lord Grunge 6/05 CHICAGO, IL – The Abbey – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, No Bird Sing 6/06 MADISON, WI – High Noon Saloon – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, F. Stokes 6/07 MINNEAPOLIS, MN – First Ave – Tickets Openers: CECIL OTTER, B. Dolan 6/09 ENGLEWOOD, CO – Gothic Theatre – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Wheelchair Sports Camp 6/10 SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Urban Lounge – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, TBA 6/11 MISSOULA, MT – Palace Lounge – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Codependents 6/12 VANCOUVER, BC – Fortune Sound Club – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, TBA 6/13 SEATTLE, WA – Neumo’s – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/14 PORTLAND, OR – Alhambra Theatre – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/16 SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Independent – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/17 SOLANA BEACH (San Diego), CA – Belly Up Tavern – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/18 LOS ANGELES, CA – The Troubadour – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/20 PHOENIX, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/21 ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Sunshine Theater – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/22 EL PASO, TX – Tricky Falls – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/24 DALLAS, TX – Club Dada – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/25 AUSTIN, TX – Mohawk – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/26 NEW ORLEANS, LA – Southport Hall – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, DJ Quickie Mart 6/27 BATON ROUGE, LA – Spanish Moon – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Sleep of Oldominion 6/29 ATLANTA, GA – Terminal West – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Seez Mics, Cas One 6/30 CHAPEL HILL, NC – Cat’s Cradle – Tickets Openers: B. Dolan, Cas One, Seez Mics 7/01 WASHINGTON, DC – U Street Music Hall – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Prolyphic, Seez Mics 7/02 PHILADELPHIA, PA – Union Transfer – Tickets  Openers: B. Dolan, Prolyphic, Metermaids 7/03 PORTLAND, ME – Port City Music Hall – Tickets Openers: Sage Francis, B. Dolan, Metermaids 7/04 PROVIDENCE, RI – Fete Ballroom – Tickets Openers: Sage Francis, B. Dolan, Metermaids