Music Star Blaze Francisco On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry

An Interview With Guernslye Honoré

Surround yourself with people who motivate you and want you to succeed.

As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Blaze Francisco.

BLAZE FRANCISCO has quickly gained momentum in the alternative rock world, playing with touring names like The Red JumpsuIt Apparatus, Alien Ant Farm, Orgy, Jakob Nowell of Sublime, The Sweet, Mickey Avalon and The Meteors (coming up on March 7th, 2024 at Whisky a Go Go).

With influences ranging from Queens of the Stone Age, The Hives, Turnstile, Nine Inch Nails, Tame Impala, Rage Against the Machine, Arctic Monkeys and Rob Zombie, BLAZE FRANCISCO pioneers a new sound in rock and roll, that pays homage to so many artists we all know and love.

Their new single, The Reaper, will be released on February 23rd, 2024 and their first full length record will be out later in the year. Already cementing their name is the Los Angeles rock scene as frequent support acts at the historic Whisky a Go Go, BLAZE FRANCISCO promises to give the world a sound and a message that they never knew they needed. @blazecisco.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I grew up with an incredibly inspiring family, so I was really lucky that way. My Mom and Dad were and still are some of the most hard working people I know and they instilled that in me at a young age. They were always fully behind whatever I wanted to do as long as it made me happy and could provide a steady life. I feel like I could write 50 pages on how I grew up, but I’ll sum it up by saying that I grew up incredibly supported and free to explore and try new things all the time.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?

I started playing in concert band when I was in 6th grade. Right around that time, I was starting my own pop-punk band with a couple of my best friends. We were called Nobody Famous and we stayed true to that name. Throughout middle and high school, I continued to play in concert band, jazz band, local orchestras and in the local South Florida rock/punk/ska scene in multiple bands. There was never a better feeling for me than getting to play shows at any capacity. I loved getting to help an audience escape for a period of time by playing music for them. That’s still what drives me to play live today. I love the connection you can form with a live audience just through the power of music. It’s extremely powerful.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

When I was in High School, I got to play at Carnegie Hall with the Florida Youth Orchestra. It was an incredible feeling to be able to step foot on a stage that was so renowned and so historical. You could feel the energy in that hall from the moment you walked in. That was an early music career milestone that I feel like I was way too young to truly appreciate at the time, but I reflect back on it often as an adult and still can’t believe it happened. Every time I step on stage, a different energy surrounds me and that one always seems to be one of the most special (so far).

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Oh man. I would say in general the biggest mistakes I’ve made in music and just in life at times was not being prepared. I’ve learned throughout life that it’s important to expect not only the unexpected, but the expected and the unimaginable. If I go into a show, session or anything prepared from every angle- there’s not much that can throw me off. However, there are still mysteries in life that can surprise you and are literally impossible to prepare for, but that’s where the fun and spontaneity of life comes from. You can’t prepare for that and nor should you. Sometimes the most honest and real moments come from those times.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I would say there are a ton of people I could speak about but the ones I will mention are both of my parents and my partner, Kait. My parents have motivated and supported me since I was a kid to do what makes you happy, but what can also provide a future for you and your family. That has always stuck with me and will continue to.

My partner Kait was one of the first people I ever played my music for. I was so incredibly nervous, especially since one of the songs was written about her, but her genuine love for the music and her constant motivation to keep going was more than I could’ve ever hoped for. She herself is the most hardworking person I know in her field and she inspires me to work harder and better every day. I wouldn’t be anywhere in near where I am without her.

The last person I would say is my very good friend and producer, Nate Sander (naebird). My music would just be a bad GarageBand demo if not for him and his insight. He’s one of the most talented people I know and not only does he motivate me to be a better musician, but to be a better person.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

On February 22nd, I will be releasing my first single in 2 years called “The Reaper.” It’s a powerful, anthem-like rock song that talks about passing over to the other side. It’s a topic that is veiled with uncertainty, but is always in the back of our minds, so I figured hey, why not write a song about it. It’s an incredibly energetic pump up song that’s great to blast in your car, at the gym or just to jump around at home too.

Alongside that, I have a full length record planned to release this year and shows alongside all of that. It’s going to be a really exciting year and after establishing a name for ourselves in the LA rock scene these past few years just from playing shows- I can’t wait to see what happens when everyone hears what we’ve been working on.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

I think diversity is so incredibly important in this and all industries. The venue we play at most often that has really taken us in is the historic Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood and I feel as if they have really shined in the inclusion and diversity represented at their venue. You could go on a Thursday and hear a metal band, Friday and hear a hip hop group or Saturday and hear a country band. We’ve played with each of the above acts and we always gain fans from every genre because of their open minded nature. It’s so important to not shut yourself off to other cultures and ideas. We will never learn or progress if we do that. Opening ourselves up to diversity and inclusion is how we get new ideas. It’s how new relationships are cultivated and how we break through barriers. It’s one of my favorites parts of Los Angeles. I feel lucky to live in an area and work in an industry that welcomes inclusion and diversity and I hope it only continues to be more and more accepted.

As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?

Well, I wouldn’t quite call myself a star, but I appreciate that, haha. I stay motivated by surrounding myself with friends and family who work hard and motivate me daily. I also love to watch and listen to things that inspire me. I love watching concerts and interview from my favorite artists and just imagine myself being there one day. I’ve done that since I was a kid, haha.

I used to care way too much about what people thought of me, but instead, I now only care what people who I care about think of me. Those are the ones who mean the most to me and the ones that inspire me. I overcome obstacles by not letting people’s words and opinions phase me. I use them as motivation at the end of the day.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?

1 . Do what makes you happy.

-If you’re not happy and fulfilled doing what you’re doing in any capacity- it will show in your work and in your general demeanor.

2 . Make the music you would want to hear, not what you think other people want to hear.

I used to make music that I thought other people would want to hear. It wasn’t particularly what I would want to listen to all the time, but I thought it would be a commercial success or something that people would be into. Now I make music that I literally will listen to in the car, haha. Not because it’s “me” and I love hearing myself (quite the opposite is true), but because I make the music I like to listen to. That’s what is most important to me.

3 . Surround yourself with people who motivate you and want you to succeed.

I’ve always surrounded myself with people who were better than me at what I was doing. I always felt as if that’s the best way to get better and to learn. I think it’s so important to not feel like the big fish in a small pond because it’s fleeting and it will hit you like a ton of bricks one day. Everyone I play and work with today are people I inspire to be more like and learn from-I wouldn’t have it any other way.

4 . Leave all your baggage at the door.

Especially so when playing shows, I never take anything with me that may be bothering me. Now, I’ll let it out on stage no doubt, but I don’t let anything show if it’s bothering me because even if you think you’re hiding it- you’re not. I will never call anyone out for messing up on stage either. That’s not the time nor the place to do it. Trust me, when you get off stage or out of a session, life will still be there waiting right where you left it. Let that time on stage or in a session be special just for that time. Life’s too short. Try to enjoy the moments you can disconnect.

5 . No one will give you a handout.

You have to work harder than everyone else around you and it all starts with yourself. People may help you out along the way a bit, but you are ultimately in control of your future and what work you put out which ultimately leads to the success you have.

Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?

I always start in front of my keyboard and try to pluck out whatever groove has been stuck in my head for the past few hours, days, weeks, months, etc. After I get that down, I build the world around it. I’m a huge layering fan, so I will stack instruments and sounds until I feel completely comfortable with it. Lyrics and a melody are usually the last thing I’ll add. Sometimes a melody may come before a groove, but growing up playing drums, a groove has always been the foundation for any song. That’s why you’ll notice in all of my songs, the repeated mantra of the song is always the riff or the groove. Bands like Rage Against the Machine and Queens of the Stone Age who develop iconic riffs and grooves are who inspire my music and songwriting process the most.

Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?

I think what sets my music aside is that it’s pretty tough to pin a certain genre down to it. Alternative rock is usually what I say, but the word “alternative” has a broad definition. Much like a band like Nine Inch Nails, I try to incorporate blends of a ton of different styles into my music.

It’s rooted in rock n’ roll, but it grows to a bunch of other worlds that I always love to explore.

How do you connect with your audience?

Definitely through our live shows. If you’ve seen me live, you know that the one thing you’ll leave saying is “wow that guy with the microphone is wild.” I give everything to every performance no matter how big or small the crowd is and I feel that really resonates with every audience and makes them come back to see what I’ll do next time, haha.

With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?

I always try to find time to work out, medicate and do things that will ground me. My partner is extremely spiritual and she’s helped me to find peaceful practices that allow me to stay grounded and rooted in the world. I feel like it’s so important to find that routine. I’m not perfect at it, but I try to stay on top of it when I can.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would just say very generally, look at the people around who may not have as much as you do and try to do whatever is in your power at the time to help them out. You never know if a few minutes of your day could change someone’s life. The world would be a much better place if we all helped each other out a little more. That goes for animals too. Let’s not forget about those perfect creatures.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I’d say either Paul McCartney or Josh Homme. In different ways, I think I would just leave my food untouched and try to remember every word they were saying like gospel. Those two inspire and motivate me in so many different ways- it would just be an honor to be in the same room with them.

If not them, I’d love to have a meal with both of my grandmothers. One of them passed away when I was young and I’d just love to be able to meet her at this age and the other was one of my favorite people in the world who I’d just love to see one more time.

How can our readers continue to follow your work online?

I’m most active on Instagram (@blazecico) or if you just Google “BLAZE FRANCISCO”, you’ll be able to see what’s up. You can check out our new song “The Reaper” coming out on 2/23/24 on Spotify and wherever else music is streamed. We also have a show with UK psychobilly legends The Meteors at The Whisky a Go Go on March 6th, but check Instagram for all other news and things.

Thank you to all the Blazeheads, new and old. We’ll catch you soon.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.