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Franck Carducci

Interviewed by Gary Hill
Interview with Franck Carducci from 2011
MSJ:

Can you catch the readers up on the history of your involvement in music?

I was born and raised in France within a family where music is a way of life. I started playing keyboards at about five, guitar at about ten, and put up my first Rock ‘n’ Roll band at about 14.Between the ages of 20 and 30, he'll play with upwards of 20 different bands whose genres range from folk-song to rock via funk, blues or country-music. During this time, Franck was involved in the recording of 15 different albums. Between the ages of 20 and 30, he'll play with upwards of 20 different bands whose genres range from folk-song to rock via funk, blues or country-music. During this time, Franck was involved in the recording of 15 different albums. Between the ages of 20 and 30, I played with upwards of 20 different bands whose genres range from folk-song to rock via funk, blues or country-music, and got involved in the recording of 15 different albums.

In 2008, I moved to Amsterdam and got into the local scene where I perform regularly in the famous clubs of the cityIn 2008, Franck moves to Amsterdam where he gets into the local scene and performs regularly in the famous clubs of the city

Then in 2010, a dream came true: I opened a gig for one of my heroes:  Steve Hackett (Genesis).

Steve watched the concert from backstage and came to congratulate me in the dressing-room before going onstage himself. Some days later, a discussion with Steve convinced me to focus on producing my own solo album. The goal was to produce a sincere and genuine album, without concessions.

And there was Oddity.

MSJ:

If you weren't involved in music what do you think you'd be doing?

Wow good question! I actually never considered it but let me think … maybe a radio DJ or a music reviewer, both are music related though!

Otherwise probably a scientist, astrophysicist or something like that

MSJ:

Who would you see as your musical influences?

Mainly Pink-Floyd, Genesis, Supertramp and The Beatles

At a lower level, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, Billy Joel and David Bowie

MSJ: What's ahead for you?
Hopefully a lot of successful gigs for the Oddity tour!
MSJ: I know artists hate to have their music pigeonholed or labeled, but how would you describe your music?
I’d say it’s classic-rock sounds with progressive and psychedelic feels
MSJ: Are there musicians with whom you would like to play with in the future?
I’d like to play with Steve Hackett, who I’m lucky enough to know personally.

More unlikely to happen, I’d love to work with Paul McCartney

MSJ: Do you think that illegal downloading of music is a help or hindrance to the careers of musicians?
I think it helps music to be spread out, and music-lovers to discover new artists.

I, for one, discovered a lot of musicians I now love via downloaded material, and in most of the cases, I bought the CDs afterwards (or deleted the files and never listened to this artist again!)

MSJ: In a related question, how do you feel about fans recording shows and trading them?
I think it’s great, probably the only way for some people to get a glimpse at a show they couldn’t attend. I mean, technology moves on, minds have to move on, as well if you don’t want to become an old-fashioned grouch!
MSJ: If you were a superhero, what music person would be your arch nemesis and why?
[laughs] Probably some rap singer or techno DJ. In my opinion those genres are damaging people’s ability to hear and appreciate emotions in music.  But I have no particular name for my worst musical enemy!
MSJ: If you were to put together your ultimate band (a band you'd like to hear or catch live), who would be in it and why?
I’d definitely put Phil Collins on drums, because for me he’s the ultimate good-tasted drummer.

Probably Steve Walsh (Kansas) on lead vocals and keyboards as I think he is (was) the best rock singer.

On guitars I’d put David Gilmour and Steve Hackett as I’d love to see them work together, and Paul McCartney on bass or whatever instrument he’d like to play! I’d end with Roger Hodgson on keyboards. Wouldn’t that be a great band? And special guest Peter Gabriel on flute! Notice that all the band members are great singers as well?

MSJ: If you were in charge of assembling a music festival and wanted it to be the ultimate one from your point of view who would be playing?
It’d have to take place in Heaven to reunite Pink-Floyd and The Beatles [laughs]

Talking about bands that are still touring, I’d try to gather all those bands I like, like Kansas, Kiss, Roger Waters, AC/DC, Supertramp (or Roger Hodgson solo), Steve Hackett, Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Richie Havens, Kate Bush, Paul Simon and Paul McCartney. A lot of old artists in fact.

MSJ: What was the last CD you bought and/or what have you been listening to lately?
The last CD I bought was Steve Hackett’s Please Don’t Touch, but I knew it already. Otherwise it would be the last album of De Wolff, a great Dutch trio with Hammond Organ that’s amazingly good for their young age
MSJ: Have you read any good books lately?
Yesterday I finished what’s probably the best book I ever read: Life by Keith Richards.

Amazing book, I really loved it

MSJ: What about the last concert you attended for your enjoyment?

I go to a lot of concerts of bands within the Amsterdam music scene

For big events it was: Roger Waters “The Wall Live” and Kansas

MSJ: Do you have a musical “guilty pleasure?”
I know I shouldn’t because it’s not really considered as “good music” but I happen to fancy the French female singer Vanessa Paradis.  On another hand, I don’t really like Jazz, although it’s supposed to be “good music.” So I guess it’s different strokes for different folks
MSJ: If you could sit down to dinner with any three people, living or dead, for food and conversation, with whom would you be dining?
Certainly Peter Gabriel (who is for me the most interesting overall artist); Albert Einstein for I hope I could understand half of what he’d say, and maybe Keith Richards to hear some more stories.
MSJ: What would be on the menu?
Pasta of course! 
MSJ: Are there any closing thoughts you would like to get out there?
Well, I’d like to thank the team of Music Street Journal for their support as well as all the readers.

I hope you’ll get to discover my Oddity and enjoy the music.

For any news please check out my website www.franckcarducci.com and you can also find me on Facebook so don’t be scared to come by and say hello

MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2011  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
 
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