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Sage Francis Pursues the Truth in Li(f)e

Any voice that speaks out against the masses is bound to be questioned, judged and criticized. Rapper Sage Francis faces that scrutiny every time he puts out an album.

“I don’t make any records or any songs and think everybody’s going to totally jive with the sentiment of the song,” Francis states frankly when we catch up over the phone to discuss the forthcoming release of his new album, Li(f)e. “I knew right off the bat that people were going to feel attacked, [and] that I was not going to toe the line on this one.”

Toe the line he didn’t. Li(f)e is a biting and unyielding album targeting religion in particular, which Francis believes “exists to control populations [and] to control people.”

“When someone feels like their relationship with the church or with God is being attacked somehow, that’s an issue,” Francis points out. “There have been people who are clearly just upset about [the album] without really being able to put their finger on what it is they’re not happy about."

“There are people who are speaking in the name of God to make people do what Man wants,” adds Francis later. “And that really insults me.”

Francis’ fearlessly honest commentary isn’t new to his listeners – his 2005 release, A Healthy Distrust, is chock full of socio-political themes – and he says he isn’t afraid to step over the line with his words. “[So many bands] are just trying to get by, trying to do what is easy and entertaining. I try to entertain as well,” he says. “I just push myself on other levels. Sometimes that hurts me; sometimes that benefits me. It’s the artist in me that decides not to care about that when I’m in the process of creating.”

This approach to creation proved to be more than beneficial for the rapper’s latest project. The tracks on Li(f)e are a fusion of rock and rap that reveal Francis’ growth as an artist and his willingness to take risks. “I can only imagine what kind of prejudices people would step into the album with, considering how many failed collaborations there have been in the past between rappers and rock groups,” explains Francis. “It’s nothing that’s ever been done before in the way we did it, so it’s a whole new experience.”

With the backing of Epitaph/ANTI- Records, the rapper collaborated with numerous musicians as well as producer Brian Deck, adding a very distinct musical element to compliment Francis’ own signature vocals. “It felt like it was time to raise everything up a notch,” Francis recalls. “I’d never really utilized all the resources or connections [of the label] until this album...It was just important for me, at this time in my life and this part of my career to [do so].”

And it’s a good thing he did. Music from artists like Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie for Three Sheets to the Wind and the Yann Tiersen composition that was the backdrop for The Best of Times enhance the already powerful messages in Francis’ words.

While these messages have the possibility to inspire change, Francis’ motives as an artist are much more personal. “When I write music, usually what inspire me to do so are...ideas [that] excite me or frustrate me,” he states. “I’m just trying to make sure my situation, my soul, [and] the spirit of who I am is improved by being honest in my music.”

Francis’ pursuit of the truth is what sets him apart from so many other artists. Even the album title represents this goal: Li(f)e; a deliberate blending of the words life and lie. While many are just “trying to toe the line,” Francis is unafraid to stand up and deliver “plain, raw honesty.”

Li(f)e dropped May 11th 2010, on ANTI- Records. He is touring Canada this month and hits Edmonton on May 28th at Starlite, Calgary on May 29th at SAIT’s The Gateway, and Vancouver on May 31st at Biltmore Cabaret.