For all intents and purposes, Michael Franti’s songs should be considered World music. With Spearhead, Franti’s band since 1994, the sonic adventures are expansive, positive, poignant and fun. Franti’s musical output has been as eclectic as his lineage. Born to an Irish/German/French mother and a Black/Native American father, Franti was adopted and raised by parents of Finnish heritage. Add the many cultural and musical influences that Franti has cultivated on his own and you end up with an artist who is out to move the people of the Earth as a whole. World music, indeed.
That universal adventure is on display in the new song and video “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like),” the first single from Franti’s appropriately titled All People album, due on July 30th. Not afraid to throw in an infectious Pop music hook to go along with his other musical predilections, “I’m Alive” bounces along.
Michael Franti & Spearhead play Bogart's 8 p.m. Thursday. $24. bogarts.com.
