Toronto is a big city, and well known for it’s incredible talents. From the proverbial trenches like to the red carpet, Anders and FrancisGotHeat have built themselves a fanbase off the strength of their musical chemistry. Anders holds the voice and songwriting that can seduce anyone at an after party and Francis’ specialty is his ear for producing smooth hard hitting beats. Between catching flights and taking meetings, Anders and FrancisGotHeat are gearing up for their next big run. Even though we are just right around the corner from Xmas and New Years, you never know what the listeners might get from them. After taking in their latest joint with Rich The Kid called “Sticky Situation”, We are certain the duo doesn’t plan to stop or slow down musically. Taking time out of their busy schedules, we couldn’t help but ask a few questions about whats good for hibernation season?
RESPECT: Your new joint “Sticky Situation” with Rich the Kid is fire! Those visuals are very futuristic, how is it like working with Rich the Kid?
FGH: Working with Rich is dope. I’ve linked him before with Khalid to make a track on his last album. He’s really easy to work with, just give him a vibe to go on and he’s gonna go in and do his thing. He’s really fast at recording too.
A: I didn’t actually get in the studio with Rich the kid since we did our parts separately, but to my understanding he did his verse really quick I think in like 15 minutes or something. His team was easy to work with even though we didn’t come in contact.
RESPECT: Were those flying ice cubes in the video? Whose idea was that?? Made me feel like I was high for a second.
A: To be honest I got to give kudos to Elliot Osberg, the director of the video. I think the ice cubes were his way of incorporating actual footage that we captured from the session that day while still keeping the creativity of all the animations and what not.
RESPECT: The song prominently features sounds extracted from Cannabis plants. Tell us about that.
FGH: The plant doesn’t actually produce sound, what it does have are signals that run through it just like all living things. So basically, we had this device that could translate those natural signals that are coming from the plant and turn them into MIDI. What you get from that is a bunch of random melodies, most of which doesn’t make sense but that’s where creativity comes into play.
A: So, when I got to Larrabee, the studio in which we recorded the song, they had a guy there who had a little machine with these tiny alligator clips that he connected to the leaves of the plant in order to read its electric signals. His machine then converted those signals into midi signal which Francis was able to load into FL studio to turn those signals into actual sounds.
RESPECT: What are some things you had to overcome this year?
A: Coming off of a hit record, Love No More, there was a lot of pressure following up. I think the biggest challenge was figuring out what’s next. How do you top that? How do you exceed yourself?
FGH: Things I’ve had to overcome are self doubt and creative blocks. When that happens, you just have to take a break and take a step back. I like to read, relax, reflect or watch a movie on my off time.
RESPECT: Anders, this is for you. What do you enjoy most about being a musician?
A: I enjoy the freedom of being your own boss, especially since I’m still entirely independent. Not having to answer to nobody. And I love that I’m working mostly to please myself. The success and recognition are a bonus. I love that none of this really feels like I’m working. It just feels like I’m myself.
RESPECT: Francis, it’s hard to put a lot of production credits you have so far in a one big list because the list is very long! What do you love most about being a producer?
FGH: There are so many things I love about being a music producer, from working with artists in the studio, to doing post production and even doing remixes. I guess my favourite thing about it is being able to express myself and help other people express themselves on a track. When you leave it all on the track people can really feel it and they connect more to the song.
RESPECT: It’s just seems like yesterday everyone was just starting out. How does it feel becoming a multi-platinum producer in the city?
FGH: It’s crazy, I don’t really feel like anything’s changed but definitely people are looking out for me more. But it’s definitely an amazing feeling, I’ve always dreamed of getting plaques and awards as a kid.
RESPECT: You finish this interview step outside and find a lottery ticket and end up winning 10$ millions what would you do?
A: Keep it in the pot. Double up, triple up. I’d spoil my family a little but I’d be mostly focused on the bag.
FGH: Simple. Buy my mom a crib, my family a crib, and myself a crib in Toronto, maybe LA too. Definitely need a grand piano for my crib and a dope studio. But yeah, I like to keep it simple. That’s all I really want at this point in my life.
RESPECT: What’s both of your favourite 90s jam?
A: Anything Michael Jackson.
FGH: That’s hard for me to pick. I might have to go with a Nas song by default cuz that’s my favourite rapper. Either NY state of mind, or Nas is Like.
RESPECT: What was the last gift you gave someone?
A: I got my girl some ice recently. Before that I gifted a friend one of my plaques because he’s really into collecting cool shit. I think he appreciates the plaque more than I do, ha-ha.
FGH: Last gift I gave someone, I don’t even know. I’m so bad at gift giving. It was probably something monetary like a gift card or something.
RESPECT: Francis this ones for you, tell us about a time you made a beat in 5 minutes and was it a hit?
FGH: Probably the last time I was making 5-minute beats was when I was in Atlanta just recently. I was cooking up with Jetson (DaBaby’s producer). He’s super quick with it and so am I so we were just cookin up a whole bunch of bangers. Was it a hit?? We just gonna have to wait and see.
RESPECT: Anders, tell us about one crazy encounter you’ve had in the past.
A: There’s so many. Most of which I think aren’t appropriate for this interview.
RESPECT: If I was to turn on your Spotify or Apple Music what would I find on your playlist?
A: I always go through phases of what music I’m into. The genres I binge are always switching. Right now, it’s R&B.
FGH: I always got Travis Scott and Future in my rotation but recently I’ve just been listening to a lot of other genres. Jazz is always my go to, been listening to a lot of bachata recently too and baile funk.
RESPECT: One thing you’re looking forward to in 2020?
A: Every year I look forward to out doing myself. I like to look back and analyze what works and what doesn’t. Figure out what I should focus on more. Eliminate the things holding me back. But most of all, I just want to put out more music.
FGH: More music. It’ll never stop. 2020 I’m trying to drop as much music as I can with everyone.
Follow them both on their Insta for more updates on whats to come next.
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