Today, the LA-based singer-songwriter and producer Francisco Martin has released the music video for “Nobody Listens To Me,” the lead single from his debut EP ‘Manic,’ out July 22nd. An exhilarating anthem, brimming with dreamy electro-pop ambience, angry and angular guitars, pounding beats, and get-it-off-your-chest songwriting, the video finds Martin railing against a suffocating environment, using his music to break free from outside pressures and constraints. The video was directed by Alexey Figurov.
“’Nobody Listens To Me!’ is an anthem for people who feel like they’re lesser than,” Francisco says. “Validation and acceptance is something our generation struggles with, and I wanted to showcase that in the new music video.”
After his first-ever tour, and a clutch of well-received singles, Francisco realized he had an all-consuming yearning to be his authentic self in his music. To that end, he worked feverishly in his apartment at all hours of the night while facing complaints from the neighbors. He now emerges with his first true artistic statement, the 6-song ‘Manic’ EP, a bold collection of emotionally-raw pop-rock.
Francisco’s dreamy falsetto, and robust belting are present throughout ‘Manic,’ but the songs themselves represent a new era of liberated creativity. The release bursts with dynamic musicality – stately balladry, cathartic, grungy aggression, catchy EDM, and moments of soulful serenity. Throughout the EP, Francisco bravely shares personal reflections on mental health, relationships, angst, and human disconnection in the age of connection. “This EP is close to my heart. I know it’s a risky move, but this is my truth. As long as I am an artist, I will continue to push the limits,” he says.
“I am not afraid to share what is in my heart with brash honesty,” Francisco says. “I want to push boundaries. People see one version of me, and I want them to see all of me. I am ready to come out of my shell as an artist and show who I really am as a person.”
Before the recording session for “Nobody Listens To Me,” Francisco was feeling down about his music, and even considered canceling. His co-producer, Nick, rallied him into being creative, and the pair channeled his emotions into song. “It’s easy to feel like what you do doesn’t matter and people don’t take you seriously, but making this song helped me get out of a bad headspace. I hope when people hear it, it does the same for them,” he says.
Francisco first shot to fame with American Idol season 18 in 2020 where he placed Top 5. From there, he quickly released a few singles before embarking on a fall coast-to-coast tour. His heart-on-sleeve soulful pop has garnered favorable comparisons to songwriter artists such as James Bay, John Mayer, Maggie Rogers, and Ed Sheeran. To date, Francisco has released several hit singles, including “Swollen,” which has amassed close to 8 million streams across all DSPS (6 million on Spotify). Francisco’s previous single “IF U NEED ME,” premiered on PopMatters.
Francisco was born and raised in the Bay Area into a musically fertile household. His father was a fan of rock bands, his mother favored singer-songwriters, and his brother loved soul music. At the age of 9, Francisco started singing and playing drums before going onto master guitar, piano, and several additional instruments. In high school, Francisco became enamored with self-producing renditions of his favorite songs, and posting those on SoundCloud where he became a buzzed-about local artist.
‘Manic’ was made during a three-month pause after he was thrust in the public eye, and he finally had a chance to gather his thoughts as an artist. It was created by Francisco and his co-producer/good friend Nick Sarpa in Francisco’s apartment studio setup. The sleekly sensual EP is lavished with electro-textures, rugged beats, crystalline piano, ultra-catchy pop hooks, sexy pop, and moments of yell-in-the-deep-valley catharsis.
It’s been a transformative journey of reclamation for Francisco as he unapologetically shares his true artistic self with the milestone release ‘Manic.’ The EP is raw, relatable, and, most importantly, real. Francisco says: “This EP is something I cherish—I found my path with this one.”
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