[Cover photograph credit to Shervin Lainez]
Pete Francis has released his new single “Brighter Days,” a rumination on “holding out hope for the good that’s still to come”, from forthcoming album PTRN SKY!, out May 12, 2023 via Noble Steed Music. The record is Francis’ first full-length solo release since his 2019 departure from Dispatch, the Alternative Roots band he helped form in 1995.
Francis comments:
‘Brighter Days’ is my favorite song on the album, and it’s about self-examination and feeling broken and lost. I wrote it on a Juno 106 keyboard that I bought at Three Wave Music in New Jersey. When I got home and turned on the keyboard, the first patch that came on was the beautiful synth pad, which inspired the first few chords.
Produced by Scott Jacoby (Coldplay, Vampire Weekend), PTRN SKY! functions both as “an account” of how Francis healed and as “an agent of healing itself.” In addition to therapy and medication, Francis used songwriting as a means of self-care.
In the years following the creation of the band Dispatch, Francis’ battle with depression and anxiety became increasingly difficult, and at 31, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 2019, Francis made the decision to permanently step away from the band to focus on his health and well-being.
Now, Francis is gearing up for the release of his first full-length solo record since 2010 and a select number of dates across the Northeast.
Pete Francis 2023 Tour Dates
April 20 – Stamford, CT @ Fortina
May 7 – Portsmouth, NH @ The Music Hall Lounge
June 10 – Westport, CT @ Levitt Pavillion Westport
June 24 – Portsmouth, RI @ Ragged Island Brewing
June 29 – Garwood, NJ @ Crossroads
July 14 – Bridgeport, CT @ Park City Music Hall
