Inspiration can hit at any time for Franti. Trying to keep up but, it’s starting to get me down The clock tick-tocks, and the whole world stops I just keep waking up to the same old songĪnd that same old voice in my head is still running around The days get darker and the nights get long “But then it struck me - it’s not only about how we keep the lightbulbs burning, but also how we keep a light burning in our hearts during a time of global crisis - knowing that we’ll get through this despite the uncertainty.” Franti stops for a moment to ponder his words, then grabs his guitar to illustrate the point: “Sara and myself wondered how we would keep the lights on,” says Franti. Suddenly, concerts and tours evaporated, and tourists stopped beating a path to Soulshine Bali. “We reckoned that if my music ever dried up, we’d still have the hotel. His inspiration was to create a place where people from around the world could come together to connect, transform, play, and hit the reset button. Franti built the resort from the ground up. “My lyrics are about things that either break my heart or fill it with joy,” he explains. From an early age, images of the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement made Franti aware that broader social justice values can become a part of your family and personal values too. “He came on TV, waving his fingers around and saying, ‘I’m not a crook!’” recalls Franti with a laugh. The musician’s first political recollection was Richard Nixon resigning in 1974 when Franti was eight-years-old. “And, of course, have fun along the way.”
“We want to take the life lessons we’ve learned and do good with it,” says Franti. Today, sitting with his wife Sara Agah, of Iranian heritage, at their boutique resort called Soulshine Bali, they have a mantra by which they live: Be your best, serve the greater good, and rock out wherever you are. “Every day, she stressed that I needed to be my own person, yet also be humble and kind to others,” he recalls. His earliest memories are of being raised in a multi-ethnic family in a diverse neighborhood of Oakland, California, with a mother who was fierce about showing empathy for the neighborhood’s kids. You might say that Michael Franti is a true global citizen. At birth, he was given up for adoption to a Finnish-American couple. In 2000, after seeing people who couldn’t afford shoes on his global travels, he decided not to wear any shoes to see how it felt - initially for three days - but has chosen to go barefoot ever since.įranti’s heritage is Irish, German, Belgian, African-American, and Native-American - from his biological parents. Franti has also taken the phrase “being grounded” to new heights. With songs titled “Stay Human,” “I’m Alive,” “The Sound of Sunshine,” and his trademark catchphrase, “Work Hard & Be Nice,” Franti wants millions of swaying and clapping people to cast their sticks and stones aside and use words to heal the wounds of a divided society. His guitar is always nearby and accompanies his enthusiastic, uplifting lyrics that he uses to raise the social consciousness of fans around the world. “I’ve come to realize that words can harm you. Today, the world-renowned musician, humanitarian, filmmaker, and activist tends to disagree. “Was it the A-word?” “No, mom,” replied Franti, “Someone called me the N-word.” His shocked mother thought for a moment and then said, “Son, sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you.” “No,” replied an increasingly nervous Michael. “No,” replied a five-year-old Franti, shifting uncomfortably. The last time he’d said a bad word in front of her, he had his mouth washed out with soap. Michael Franti didn’t want to tell his mother the bad name he’d been called at kindergarten that day. Musician Michael Franti has a deep understanding of the hurtful and healing power of words.
0 kommentar(er)
