Life & Work with Shlomo Franklin

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Shlomo Franklin.

Hi Shlomo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a benign religious cult in upstate New York. I wasn’t allowed to watch television or listen to the radio. It was only religious music for us. But one day, when I was about nine years old, my dad showed me his secret Bob Dylan CD collection. They sat in the glove compartment of his 2003 Chevy pickup truck. We were driving to Matt Hofer’s sawmill to pick up some 6 X 8s for a new addition to the milk barn.

As we drove to the sawmill, I was stunned by what I heard. It sounded awful; the voice and guitar were strange and unlike anything I had ever heard. But it was also honest, and I hadn’t heard an honest song up until that point. There wasn’t any looking back after that. It was Bob Dylan, the truth for me, and hell with the rest of it. Blind faith be dammed. I was ready to be saved, and music was right there to save me.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road gets smoother the more you expect the bumps. When I started recording and touring, I had immature expectations.

These days, I have no expectations, and every good thing comes as a gift. I’m grateful for what is easy, and I’m okay with all that’s been difficult. I’ve even come to love some of the drag that is being a no-name singer/songwriter.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think my strength is writing a song the way I hear it and singing it like I mean it. No one listens to my music because they’re looking for a pretty voice. I am deeply in love with the song and have been for a decade. The song is the source of what I do. It is sacred to me. Everything else is just a way to keep writing and performing songs.

I do pride myself on giving a good live show, though. At least, I try to. You don’t always succeed, but I believe that folky singer/songwriters like myself take our work too seriously, and the shows tend to be somber snooze-fests. I aim to change that.

I see my live show as being a lighthearted and fun celebration of all of life. Not just the sad stuff. I think all good music is sad, so calling it sad doesn’t reveal anything. Hasn’t a sad song made you happy? Has a happy song ever made you happy? Happy songs are nightmarish to me. They seem oblivious and comically unaware. I’m not talking about music with joy in it. All good music has joy in it.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I grew up on a farm, and for a long time, I thought I’d milk cows for the rest of my life. Songs are an unexpected but welcome detour. I do miss the cows, though. Some day, I’d like to have a recording studio on my farm, and I’ll be able to look after some land and some cattle, too.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.shlomofranklin.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/shlomofranklin
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWiD-1JE2EHWVo9rlOgCjEg
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/05sIU2kW8byNkqyc0zTYZg?si=eQsGlfW3Qy6UkfJ6XTIkAw

Image Credits
Ellie Turner, Liz Moss, and One Sessions