Francis Nicolas offers up mellow mood music with his latest single Don’t Feel So Sad — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
In the smoothly flowing track, the Montreal musician’s piano and trumpet melodies float over a pulsating rhythm, softly punctuated by ethereal female vocals lifting the song up into a dreamscape somewhere between jazz and trip-hop. If Don’t Feel So Sad pulls you into a cinematic and joyful experience, that’s exactly what the young composer was intending.
“I really like movies,” explains Nicolas. “The atmosphere created by the director and supported by the music … All you need is a scene, a moment when you no longer have the impression of being a spectator, but a character in movement.”
Don’t Feel So Sad opens up a window to Nicolas’ personal sound lab, where the multi-talented musician composed, arranged and produced the track all on his own, out of both desire and necessity. “When I created my song, it was a time when you couldn’t do much because of the pandemic,” he recalls. “So I created my own scenario.”
The track is also his first song to feature vocals, supplied by sought-after Montréal session singer Ilea. As she dreamily implores the listener with the title refrain, she also reminds us that we are not alone. It’s a simple, universal message of the power of community and the strength of our hearts when brought together.
Born and raised in Montréal, Nicolas first discovered his passion for music while playing his family’s piano as a child. While participating in elementary school harmony, he met the trumpet and it was love at first breath. So began a great adventure that has seen him grow into playing with a number of big bands, jazz combos and pop groups around Montréal. In 2019, he participated in the 40th edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival with the Ensemble Jazz de Montréal.
Listen to Don’t Feel So Sad above, hear more from Francis Nicolas below, and find happiness by following him on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
