Artist Of The Week #235 - Frankie Beetlestone
This week’s Artist of the Week is Sheffield’s indie-pop newcomer Frankie Beetlestone - who has just released his amazing new EP ‘Caravan’ via Distiller.
Taking an idiosyncratic and charismatic view of society, youth and love, Caravan sees Frankie question what ‘success’ really means, and narrate themes of love, toxicity, living in a fame-driven society and more, and is a bold statement of intent from Frankie who is undeniably One To Watch for 2023.
He took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey there Frankie - how are you? So your EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
I’m buzzing ! I feel really proud of these songs. I knew when I was making the EP that I wanted it be as authentic as possible, I was kind of just writing about my life. Which is great, but when I finally finished it and people started asking me what it was about I didn’t really know what to answer (without giving some fake spiel)… It was when me and my band played them on tour with Tom Grennan that I really understand what it meant to me. It’s about growing up. I think when you get into your early 20’s it’s a bit of a mind-field. Some people are having kids, some people are doing drugs. Some people are doing really well, and some people aren’t. But to be honest I think most people are winging it, and I wanted to write about everything that surrounds that!
It is called ‘Caravan’ - what is the meaning behind that?
Following on from what I was saying, the last 3/4 years have been a bit rough in places. Don’t get me wrong I’m incredibly lucky, but a lot changed in my life very suddenly. I’m absolutely blessed to be in the position I’m in now, and I guess this record is a bit of a diary for me. Last summer I was living in a Caravan on my Nannans driveway, but the ironic thing is that I was actually loving it haha. I think people expect me to paint of sob story about it but the truth is it was actually sick.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
The majority of the EP was recorded with Duncan Mills. We’ve worked together a lot and we have a really good relationship (he’s just a G basically). I also love his studio - he kind of just lets me play with all his instruments and gear and then from there we build the songs together. However I did make Cannonball with Oscar Scheller (a really lovely, talented guy). And Popstar with Josef Page, another genius who I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot as well). I kind of have my circle of people who I like to produce with now. I’ve always had a basic production setup at home (laptop, headphones and mic) … So I tend to write/record a basic demo by myself in me caravan and then bring it to those guys to work on.
What are the key themes and influences on the ep?
Like I said earlier I didn’t make the project with any specific subject in mind, but when I look back at it holistically I think it is genuinely about growing up. Whatever “growing up” means. I think a lot of people my age feel this pressure from society or their parents to go into a career as quickly as possible so they can start earning. But at the end of the day, it’s your life. Take your time. In 10 years when your sat behind a desk doing something that you hate, the only person that it’s going to affect is you. So do something that you love!!! Do something that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. The truth is that we’re all gonna die, so why waste a second. That doesn’t mean it’s gonna be easy - I’ve just been on an arena tour and I’m already back to worrying about signing on - but if it was easy EVERYONE would do it. So be the person who does. That’s my public statement for the day *drops mic*.
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Probably “Dazed and Confused”. God I love that film. To be honest if they were re-doing it I doubt they’d use my EP because it’s set in the 70’s. But I just LOVE how raw and simple that film is. It’s also all set in one day which would really work well with the whole Caravan “day by day” vibe (you know, cuz I’m PROPER WORKING CLASS AND that. Did I mention that I used to live in a Caravan? That’s why my EP is called Caravan cuz I used to live in a Caravan you see. Caravan caravan caravan. That’s me. I’m the Caravan man!).
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
I don’t like talking about my own lyrics because they cringe me out a bit some times but to be fair but I actually really like “mark is unnervingly polite but very capably violent”. I use the tube in London all the time and I just see a million “Marks”. You know the ones. Flustered blokes in suits who look like they’re one meeting away from absolutely losing it. I imagine they get to work and put on a big ole grin, telling the other marks about their brand new bimmer. I couldn’t think of anything worse!!! But each to their own I guess.
Now the EP is out there - what’s next?
I’m gonna play it live and I’m gonna make another one babeh! I’ve got a headline show at The Foundry in Sheffield coming up on the 20th May, and we’re playing festivals again in the summer like Ynot, Your City & Eskfest etc. But mainly I’m focusing on the next project now.
