In this interview spotlight we chat with Ser Franklin about his newest project, influences, the digital music world and more.

Full Q&A along with links and streams can be found below.

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

Well, i would definitely use the plural when it comes to genres and styles, i have always had very eclectic music tastes, and i think it definitely shows in my album “Lonely soul”. Halfway though it i’ve almost had second thoughts about it being too diverse and eclectic, but at the end of the day that’s me, that’s how i am, and i had to be true to myself and follow my instinct. One day i could listen to Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, the next to Lana DelRey and James Blake, and the next to Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, and then to Sting and Seal and so on….i mean, good music is good music, and i’m inspired from all of it

How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?

I’ve been creating music for a while, i’ve been sharing it for a lot less…as a matter of fact, this is my first album after all hehe…before i moved to London about a month ago, i was living in Rome, Italy, and i was doing more live gigs than anything presenting mostly covers, and in the meantime i was writing and recording my songs. I got to perform a few of my new songs live in an acoustic fashion when i was still in Rome right before the album came out, but then i moved to London….the releasing of the album and my moving from Rome to London almost happened at the same time

Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?

I started writing when i lost both my adoptive parents years ago, it was terapeutic for me, the only way to cope. I am also openly gay, but i haven’t always been this opened about it, i grew up in a small town in south Italy, a pretty conservative environment to say the least, and the struggle to keep things secret as much as possible, trying to not give away too many hints and things of that nature it all contributed to my sensibility, which contributed in my writing…i’ve always been more of a loner, and a thinker. I went away from home at 19, i went to study languages and literatures in Bologna, and that’s where i won the scholarship for the university of Denver, Colorado…while i was there i happened to go live in a house with all music majors, and when they heard me singing to myself on a drunken night hehe, they convinced me to go to an audition for a jazz vocal class….the professor liked me, and there i was singing jazz classics day in-day out…. that period inspired me a lot….that’s when i fell in love with the classic american songbook, i love how there is a song for every mood and situation you can possibly think of….but my favorite songwriter of all remains Joni Mitchell, i think she’s on a league of her own, writers like her, of Leonard Cohen, motivate me to always try to better myself

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

I just wanted to touch people, that’s what it is all about….the simple thought that even in a hundred years and more after i’m gone, it is nice to think that my music would still be there to possibly touch someone

What was the last song you listened to?

“I’ve never seen a cyclone” by Mantaraybryn

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

mp3 to be sincere….the other two bring back nostalgia indeed, but digital files are just practical, and you just can’t beat that hehe…we are heading for all digital, there’s no turning back….physical will remain mostly for collectors

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

they’re all great….probably Spotify gives you the best insights from the artist’s point of view, but they all offer a great service nonetheless….i’m on all of them by the way, haha

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?

Finding the right platforms as an independent artist is never easy…getting your music on streaming and download platforms is the easiest part….once it is there, getting the right people to hear it is the real challenge, but with some research and some trying involved, you can get there, and the reward can be real sweet

Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?

As i’ve said before, i just moved to a new city, and a new country entirely, so i took some time out to get to know the new culture, and promoting my project online in the process, but i’m slowly but surely approaching the live scene here in the UK… i will let my fans know about it on my social media platforms when things are ready

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?

I am Ser Franklin on all social medias….instagram is the one i use the most, i’m still getting used to twitter and facebook….i’m not the best at it, i should probably hire someone hehe…..when it comes to my music, it’s pretty much on all streaming and download platforms, Itunes, Spotify, Deezer, Bandcamp, Tidal, Soundcloud, Rhapsody…you name it, it is there

Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?

We are goners, music is forever….so let’s enjoy it before we’re gone! 😉

For more music and the latest news, stay connected on Ser Franklin’s website.