Franz Nicolay is set to release his latest single 'Hearts of Boston' out on 25th November from his third vaudevillian world folk extravaganza, 'Do the Struggle' out now on Xtra Mile Recordings. The video was shot at Franz's ancestral homeland in the mountains of New Hampshire, and features a lot of flaming things. Possibly including Franz.
Check it out here:
The single is a whacked-out Pogues via Arcade Fire burst of handclaps and violin. Crammed with his Americana storytelling across a pace and passion to match any punk outfit, it's as good an introduction to Franz Nicolay as you could get. He worked with producer oktopus, of the innovative New Jersey industrial/hip-hop group dälek, to move beyond the singer-songwriter sound world and create a dark, explosive, and cinematic opus of personal and political anger.
With the help of Guignol rhythm section John Bollinger (drums) and George Rush (bass, tuba) and guests including Ezra Kire (Leftover Crack, Morning Glory), Franz Nicolay has woven tales for everyone to hold onto.
He is over this side of the pond this November for a UK tour with The Cut Ups. The 'Bearing Torches' tour will see the Exeter band back Franz during his headline sets, and they'll also be main support each night, with Franz joining them on keyboards.
Catch them at:
NOVEMBER
13 The Exchange, Bristol
14 The Cavern, Exeter
15 Tiki Bar and Diner, Plymouth
16 Wharf Chambers, Leeds
17 Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham
18 Tiger Lounge, Manchester
19 Kage, Dundee
20 Audio, Glasgow
21 The Central, Gateshead
22 The Prince Albert, Brighton
23 The Black Heart, London
24 Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading (Franz only, acoustic, w/ Ben Marwood)