Noah Francis

Noah Francis is a singer from South Wales, associated with the Bedford area, whose career moves across soul, pop, rock, jazz-funk, hip hop and dance. He grows up in Tiger Bay and moves between council estates with his family. He also trains for the priesthood at one stage, though his studies end when a mentor suggests he can do more good as a performer.

Early life and performance background

Francis is raised by a father who performs and loves soul music, and by a mother who likes Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley. He begins performing as a child, touring as a cabaret act from the age of eight. He appears on stage with his father as a duo, singing covers and impressions, including songs associated with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra.

As a teenager, he writes songs while dividing his time between performance and boxing. He takes up boxing for self-protection and goes on to win 38 consecutive fights after losing his first two. He becomes Welsh Amateur Middleweight Champion and is set to turn professional before moving into dance.

He then wins the World Freestyle Break-Dance Championships, which helps bring him to the attention of record labels. Before his solo career, he fronts Whisper Zone, a jazz-funk group that wins the Battle of the Bands contest at the Welsh Rock & Pop Awards.

Solo work and bands

Francis later signs his first major record deal and records music described as Prince-tinged pop rock. A planned debut single fails to chart because the label does not put a barcode on the CD, so the sales are not counted. He then moves to another major label and records an acoustic album. His single Try receives praise from Q magazine, and Time Out describes his voice as stronger than those of Seal and David McAlmont combined.

He later fronts the rock band Ellis, which tours with Slayer, Lenny Kravitz and Puddle of Mudd. With Ellis, he sells out the London Astoria and appears at Reading, Leeds and Download festivals. He leaves the band after a clash of ideals.

Collaborations and recording of Five Decades Below

Francis records the album Five Decades Below over three years in studios including Abbey Road in London, 36 Chambers in New York, and studios in Los Angeles, Paris and Miami. The album brings together a wide range of collaborators, including Killer Bees members Prodigal Sunn and Shyheim, Killing Joke, Dillinger Escape Plan, Denaun Porter, Royce da 5'9" of Slaughterhouse, and former All Saint Mel Blatt. Producers and mixers include Andy Wallace, Bob Clearmountain, Mike Fraser, Denaun Porter and Chris Kimsey.

Among the tracks mentioned are Immortal, a rock and hip hop ballad featuring Prodigal Sunn and Shyheim, with beats and loops by Jose "Choco" Reynoso; Stalker, which shifts from soft electronic-tinged verses to heavy guitar-led choruses; and Trickbaby, featuring Royce da 5'9", DJ Skee and DJ Premier, and combining pop, rock, hip hop and funk. Chris Kimsey introduces Killing Joke to Francis, and they are so inspired by the session that they decide to reform.

Other work

Francis directs the video for Immortal, which is filmed at Pinewood Studios. The song is released with an epic video and forms part of the project that draws on his background in boxing, dance, faith and multiple musical styles.