In SOUND CHECK, we check in with some of our favorite musicians.
The Biebs had Usher, but the next biggest star out of Canada has an infinitely cooler mentor: Pharrell. Meet Francesco Yates, an 18-year-old crooner with credits on Pharrell’s album GIRL and raves from the likes of Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. His single “Call” is a danceable, dreamy ode to waiting around for that special person to give you a ring—on the telephone. (Ed note: But seriously, who calls anymore? Text might be more apropos or, Snapchat.)
In any case, Yates is sensitive, smooth, first-boyfriend material, which is all so fitting seeing as he’s just about to drop his debut album. We chatted with Pharrell’s understudy about the best advice he’s ever received, where his music inspiration comes from, and whether or not #TeamAfro is alive and well.
JESSICA CHOU: You’re just about ready to release your debut album. How has your sound changed while working on it these last two years?
FRANCESCO YATES: It was very acoustic-driven at first, which isn’t to say anything acoustic-driven is bad, but it wasn’t for me. I realized that something was wrong, that I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do, and I don’t know. All of a sudden I did a couple sessions with Pharrell, and that sparked a change in my style.
So how would you describe your style?
In its roots it’s still pop music, but it has sprinkles of this alternative R&B sort of thing and this old soul stuff. Maybe I was trying to be too contemporary at first, but now you hear some of the other influences. All the old soul stuff comes from my parents.
Your parents? What sort of stuff would they listen to?
When I was younger I would go to hockey practice, and while we were driving my dad would play me Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath in the car. But he also played me stuff like Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye, so I got two different sides of the spectrum. He had, like, five CDs in the car, and we listened to all of them: Black Sabbath's Greatest Hits album, Marvin Gaye What’s Going On, Queen’s A Night at the Opera album…
Pharrell has obviously had a large impact on your music as well. What's been the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from him?
Don’t question your gut because it’s usually right. I was sitting with Pharrell when he was producing some of his music, and it sounded unbelievable. I asked him, “How do you do that?” He paused for a little bit and was like, “Because I didn’t question it.”
So, he’ll probably be featured on one of your songs in your album. Any collaborations you’re hoping for one day?
Probably Prince, you know, he’s the ultimate badass. Justin Timberlake too, and Bruno Mars is really good. I saw his show and I thought he was incredible.
You’ll be heading on tour soon. Any ideas on how you’re going to dress for the part?
I know it’s early in the game and one has to ramp up to such crazy things, but I look up to things like what Michael Jackson used to wear, these very
The Biebs had Usher, but the next biggest star out of Canada has an infinitely cooler mentor: Pharrell. Meet Francesco Yates, an 18-year-old crooner with credits on Pharrell’s album GIRL and raves from the likes of Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. His single “Call” is a danceable, dreamy ode to waiting around for that special person to give you a ring—on the telephone. (Ed note: But seriously, who calls anymore? Text might be more apropos or, Snapchat.)
In any case, Yates is sensitive, smooth, first-boyfriend material, which is all so fitting seeing as he’s just about to drop his debut album. We chatted with Pharrell’s understudy about the best advice he’s ever received, where his music inspiration comes from, and whether or not #TeamAfro is alive and well.
JESSICA CHOU: You’re just about ready to release your debut album. How has your sound changed while working on it these last two years?
FRANCESCO YATES: It was very acoustic-driven at first, which isn’t to say anything acoustic-driven is bad, but it wasn’t for me. I realized that something was wrong, that I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do, and I don’t know. All of a sudden I did a couple sessions with Pharrell, and that sparked a change in my style.
So how would you describe your style?
In its roots it’s still pop music, but it has sprinkles of this alternative R&B sort of thing and this old soul stuff. Maybe I was trying to be too contemporary at first, but now you hear some of the other influences. All the old soul stuff comes from my parents.
Your parents? What sort of stuff would they listen to?
When I was younger I would go to hockey practice, and while we were driving my dad would play me Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath in the car. But he also played me stuff like Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye, so I got two different sides of the spectrum. He had, like, five CDs in the car, and we listened to all of them: Black Sabbath's Greatest Hits album, Marvin Gaye What’s Going On, Queen’s A Night at the Opera album…
Pharrell has obviously had a large impact on your music as well. What's been the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from him?
Don’t question your gut because it’s usually right. I was sitting with Pharrell when he was producing some of his music, and it sounded unbelievable. I asked him, “How do you do that?” He paused for a little bit and was like, “Because I didn’t question it.”
So, he’ll probably be featured on one of your songs in your album. Any collaborations you’re hoping for one day?
Probably Prince, you know, he’s the ultimate badass. Justin Timberlake too, and Bruno Mars is really good. I saw his show and I thought he was incredible.
You’ll be heading on tour soon. Any ideas on how you’re going to dress for the part?
I know it’s early in the game and one has to ramp up to such crazy things, but I look up to things like what Michael Jackson used to wear, these very