UBUD, Bali – “Michael Franti unlocks a vital exuberance the world could certainly use right now,” American Songwriter says of Michael Franti & Spearhead’s 11th studio album Work Hard And Be Nice, available everywhere now via Thirty Tigers.
“Every song on the album is about the power of optimism to get us through our darkest moments and find the light in our loves, lives and for the planet,” shares Franti. “I collaborated with many different incredible songwriters and it was amazing to hear how all of them understood completely the idea of how important it is for people to have ease of heart in these troubled times. The need for emotions to be able to pass effortlessly as they arise. Music helps with that, and sometimes it brings out feelings we never even knew existed.”
“As I set out making the record,” he continues, “I hoped that it would move people’s hearts and bodies and inspire people to take on the great challenges the world faces today, with courage, love and bold optimism!”
In celebration, Franti will host a Work Hard And Be Nice Record Release Party as the first of three dates announced of his Stay At Home World Concert World Tour series. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.
Each show offers a different experience with themes: Work Hard And Be Nice Record Release Party June 19; Michael Franti Live from Soulshine Bali on July 18; and the Soulrocker House Party on August 15. The first 500 fans to purchase tickets will be given access to a private Zoom “Backstage” party room in addition to the live stream, where they will be able to interact with Franti and other fans enjoying the show and participate in sing-a-longs, games and more.
“Recently, I’ve done several online concerts that exceeded my expectations in terms of intimacy and energy as I watched people in quarantine dancing along and hugging one another in their living rooms with the same passion as they do in large venues. I’ve become a believer in the idea that magic can happen in this online shared space,” Franti elaborates. “That community and celebration together doesn’t have to stop just because we can’t gather together.”
When purchasing tickets, fans can choose to attend an individual show for $22 or purchase a bundle for all three shows for $56. Attendees can also add on brand new merchandise for an additional price. A portion of each ticket will be going to charity as well.
Earlier this week, Franti joined NBC’s “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna” from Bali to perform lead single “I Got You” as the hosts proclaimed, “If you want to know what summer sounds like, pump up the volume,” and named it “a song of the summer.” The performance featured videos of “TODAY” staff and Franti’s family and friends dancing along as Franti was joined by back-up dancers, including wife Sara and son Taj. Watch his interview and performance HERE.
With Juneteenth celebrated today in the United States, Franti penned an op-ed for SPIN reflecting on what the holiday means, both historically and currently.
For more information, visit MichaelFranti.com or follow on Instagram and Twitter @MichaelFranti and Facebook.com/MichaelFranti.
Work Hard And Be Nice Track Listing is as follows:
- I Got You (Michael Franti & Chris Stevens)
- Sun and Moon (Michael Franti & Chris Stevens)
- Good Shit Happens (Michael Franti & Cappy Franti)
- I Can Still Feel You (Michael Franti & Carl Young)
- Start Small Think Big (Michael Franti, Chris Stevens, Brett Warren & Brad Warren)
- How We Living (Michael Franti & Tim Myers)
- Breaking Down The Door (Michael Franti & Tim Myers)
- The Friends Song (Michael Franti & Daniel Lubwama Kigozi)
- Lay It All Down (Michael Franti, Chris Stevens & James Yeary)
- P.S. I Love You (Michael Franti)
- Work Hard And Be Nice (Michael Franti & Jonathan Singleton)
- Is It Worth A Penny To You (Michael Franti & Carl Young)
- Walking Into The Sun (Michael Franti & Carl Young)
- All My Friends (Michael Franti & Tim Myers)
- I’m On Your Side (Michael Franti & Sean McConnell)
- Daycation (Michael Franti & Nathan Chapman)
- Watching The World Go By With You (Michael Franti & Carl Young)
PRODUCED BY: Michael Franti, Chris Stevens, Tim Myers, Nathan Chapman, & Sean McConnell
MIXED BY: Mario Borgatta, Dave Clauss, David Cook of Splash of Soda, Jeff Juliano at The Compound, Tim Myers, & Chris Stevens
MASTERED BY: Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound; Assisted by Will Quinnell
RECORDED IN: Nashville, TN; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA
About Michael Franti
Michael Franti is a globally recognized musician, humanitarian, activist, and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Throughout his multi-decade career, Franti has earned Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine” and “Say Hey (I Love You),” five Top 30 Hot AC singles, eight Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. In January 2019, Franti released his self-directed documentary “Stay Human,” which won an array of awards at film festivals worldwide and influenced his writing for his most recent album Stay Human Vol. II (Thirty Tigers), which debuted at No. 1 on both the Americana and Independent Album charts and received critical acclaim from USA Today, Billboard, Associated Press and Paste.
Michael Franti & Spearhead continue to foster their community both on and off stage with a wish granting non-profit, Do It For The Love, founded by Franti and his wife, Sara. Do It For The Love brings those with life threatening illnesses, veterans, and children with severe challenges to concerts worldwide, fulfilling over 3,300 wishes and touching the lives of over 12,000 people to date. Franti also owns SOULSHINE Bali, a 32-room top-rated yoga retreat hotel located in Ubud, Bali. Amidst touring, Michael Franti & Spearhead have been in recording studios in Nashville, Los Angeles, and San Francisco working with A-list writers and producers on their most diverse record yet, Work Hard And Be Nice, available now.
For more information, visit MichaelFranti.com or follow on Instagram and Twitter @MichaelFranti and Facebook.com/MichaelFranti.
