London-based soul, funk and disco music stalwarts Ned Franc and Jon Moody–better known as Franc Moody-are an indomitable duo who keep going from strength to strength. The musicians have spent the last nine years fine-tuning their artistic craft, producing an array of infectious tunes, and earning a steadily growing fanbase in the UK and beyond thanks to their thrilling live shows. In 2022, 1883 Magazine caught up with Franc Moody for a shoot in London to celebrate their cosmic, sophomore album Into The Ether.
Now, Franc Moody have returned with their third studio LP, Chewing The Fat via Night Time Stories, which has landed today. An expansive body of work, it is full of their trademark lush vocals, silky strings, vibrant synths, and electronic textures that listeners know and love. However, the pair have torn up the rulebook by traversing the unchartered waters of a more psychedelic, acidic, and experimental overall sound. Recorded at 64 Sound in LA, there are mellotrons, drum machines and other wild synths that the pair haven’t used before and the result is sublime.
To celebrate the release of Chewing The Fat, Franc Moody sits down with 1883 Magazine and provides a track-by-track breakdown of the new album, revealing the hidden stories behind the music.
“Driving On The Wrong Side Of The Road”
This was always destined to open the album. A garish and bold start that we felt perfectly set the tone for the world (both sonically and lyrically) we were trying to create with the record.
“Square Pegs in Round Holes”
The sparsity and vulnerability of all the elements in the song seemed to come together so quickly and create a potent mix. Driven by a metronomic synth riff garnished with melodic flourishes the song I think showcases the rawness and honesty that is present in the whole record.
“Space Between Us”
Birthed at 64 Sound in LA (our home from home when we’re in the States) this filled our “one shuffle per album” quota. It’s now the set opener and charges out the traps like an unruly mustang. It is very exciting to play live.
“Bloodlines”
We started this off by sampling my vocals and turning it into a synth pattern. A driving, gut punching tune with a little nod to James Murphy thrown in for good measure. Crescendoes into a swirling, boiling mass of guitars, synths, drums and vocals.
“Going Through The Motions”
A song of two halves, with about the chunkiest riff currently on the riff market popping ear drums. Really fun to play live. I recorded my vocals in a cruise liner cabin as we were playing a festival at sea.
“Chewing The Fat”
This track is the slab of funk the project has been waiting for for many years. A homage to some of the Greats in many ways, George Clinton, Prince and D’angelo, but with our own craggy twist. This is proving to be a weapon in the live set!
“Henges [Interlude]“
This was originally an alternate section in “The Light You Bring” but we thought it needed its own little moment. This is us inching closer to the sonic palette we want to sit in. Pretty, yet unhinged flickering synths, deep harsh razor bass and gritty mechanical guitars. A mark of appreciation for the OG henges out there.
“Pressure Makes Diamonds”
The oldest track on the record, as in it’s been sat on the harddrive for the longest amount of time. It was birthed mucking around on one of Damon Albarn’s very old hammond organs which had a ‘repeat’ function on it and became the main arpeggiator sound throughout this track. I have memories of us writing and recording the vocals for the middle 8 in a hotel room in Vagas before a show one night.
“Can’t Find The Words”
Writing this helped us find the sonic identity of the record. Angling into a ‘tougher’ sound than we had been in previously. This had a real second wind when we took it into mix with Joe Hertz, and between us we managed to inject some fresh energy into it.
“The Light You Bring”
A favourite of ours off the record. Ned had the lyric rattling around for a while but we couldn’t seem to find a home for it. Then all of a sudden it came together one night, no coincidence it was the week after seeing Massive Attacks set in Romania.
The soundscape was birthed again by a wonderful and bizarre Russian synth from Damon’s store cupboard, which seemed to lay the foundations to what grew into what we hope to be a full-blown festival stage banger!
Franc Moody’s new record Chewing The Fat is out now.
Intro Cameron Poole
