Meet Franccesca De Struct | Vocalist for FDS

We had the good fortune of connecting with Franccesca De Struct and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Franccesca De Struct, how do you think about risk?
It is tough to be someone who’s creative and logical brain hemispheres remain in a constant battle. I feel as though risk has always been a part of that equation. My creative side just wants to be impulsive and unabridged and loud. The logical, strategic side of me wants to research every possible outcome and plan every step to the “T”.

Although chaotic, when used correctly, the juxtaposition between them can be quite powerful.

Everything is risk – calculated risk. The “cost/benefit” analysis is simply ingrained in our subconscious.

Every worthwhile opportunity i ever had came from risk. I took the risk to reach out, or buy that ticket, to learn that skill, to send that message, to travel across the country for months in a van with my friends making music.

It all stems from the confidence i have that at the end of the day – we all figure it out. it’s programmed in us to worry about rent. or feel like “oh i can’t do that until ____ happens”. we doubt ourselves, and auto-respond with “no” or “i shouldn’t”

but to be honest? you should.

necessity breeds ability. You will figure it out.

Risk is how we expand beyond our tiny little keyhole of our slice of the world.

Risk encourages innovation and, often times ,- success. i wouldn’t be where i am without it

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Wow this is a lengthy question. I think (like most people) i could ramble on about my passions endlessly. How do you take a decade of work and condense it into one singular answer? Haha.

I think the answer to what sets us apart has evolved over the years as we have evolved and changed as people and grown as artists.

I think in the beginning a lot of what we did was derivative. I was new to singing then, new to being a band leader, new to being a front person. I relied heavily on the experts in my field and spent a lot of time (probably too much time) emulating them as we were searching for that defining factor.

As we found our sound, gained experience, spent time in the trenches, we found our own niche – and I do feel like the music we are producing now is unique – it excludes us from any specific genre (which is a double edged sword).

I think what sets us apart is the same thing that makes any artists different. Now we make the music we like instead of trying to make music we feel will be successful. That difference is endlessly important.

It can be argues that any art is derivative, but I believe that there is a stark difference between derivative and emulation. Our music is a clash of a wide variety of influences, and blurs the lines between genres that many would find to be in direct opposition. I love the juxtaposition and think that in time the world will recognize the value in it.

Our success (with the understanding that success is truly a subjective term) has been found through years of tedium, trial and error, rejection, accomplishment, and hard-earned experience.

We have been a DIY project from day one. Meaning instead of having a team, we handle everything in house. We don’t benefit from having a management team, or booking team, or social media team, or writing team or any team really. The only modest brag i will include is that we have been able to get booked for shows and festivals that many would call “impossible” for a band of our size and independence.

Nothing worth doing is easy – and although that is such a trite statement, it is a true one.

The most important lessons I have learned along the way boil down to consistency, and learning how to accept failure as a tool for learning.

“Fail faster” so they say – and man have we done a lot of that.

I think the key is to look at any artistic or creative endeavor through professional eyes.

I treat this, not as a hobby, but as a job. I clock in and clock out, log my hours, and come to every day with the same consistency and determination i would in a job that was paying my bills.

Some of the lessons we have learned are a little less positive, but aren’t any less true. Be careful who you let behind the gates. Art is sacred, and the world is predatory.

Learn everything you can about whatever it is you do – and be humble enough to accept that you will never know and understand it all.

I know there is an urge to “do it all” – but in reality a team is what you need. Outside perspective, skills, experience, all of those aspects combine into a path to success.

Most importantly – you have to spend a lot of time reflecting and checking in with yourself to make sure that you are being HONEST with yourself about the path you are taking. Be honest with yourself about your level of commitment, your intentions, your desired outcome, and how much you are actually putting in to that goal. Sometimes looking in the mirror is tough, but when you are honest with yourself you can always make the right decisions.

In regards to what we are excited about – finally being able to express to the world what we have learned about ourselves. The new music we are releasing this year is our most authentic and has been touched by incredibly talented hands. I feel like for the first time, I am proud of what we are putting out in a way that represents who we are.

Our “Hella Good” cover is slotted for some incredible opportunities, and our upcoming collaborations are going to open new doors for us in so many ways.

Mostly I am just excited to be able to do what we love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have lived in LA for nearly 12 years now. The shiny “hollywood” veneer has long since faded, but I think if it was my friend’s first time to the city – they would have to do at least some of the touristy stuff.

Monday – We would knock out the touristy stuff on a day when most people are at work (so its less crowded). Starting with a walk on the hall of fame, a stop at the TCL and a walk through the Wax Museum. Lunch at cabo cantina and a night at Poppy or Nightingale

Tuesday – Wouldn’t be California without taco Tuesday at Pink Taco. Day time would probably go shopping on Melrose and have brunch at Blue Jam. Thrifting at buffalo exchange. Tuesday’s my car club usually meets for late night runs. Definitely have to se the underground car culture.

Wednesday – We are assuming it’s summer, so Wednesday would definitely be a beach day. ALL DAY.

Thursday – Self care Thursday – Milk+Honey day spa in Brentwood and then lunch at On the Thirty on Ventura. Maybe hit the laugh factory for a local show after

Friday – So many options. Dinner at Firefly then would definitely try and check out a show at 1720

Saturday – Movie at archlight, maybe a hike at runyon. More shows

Sunday- Rest

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Building a brand, building a dream, reaching any level of recognizable success takes a village. There are so many incredible ands and talented artists who have had a hand in our modest success. I racked my brain to try and single out one person that I felt was most deserving of a shout out – but that was an impossible task.

I guess I should go back to the beginning, and thank the person who was there with me through the beginning. Ben Levi ( 5 Rings Productions) He used to be my drummer – and it was his tireless encouragement and dedication that pushed me past my own insecurities and made me feel confident enough to really pursue this.

He contributed in so many ways – financially, spiritually, physically.

I am so grateful that he pushed me, we wouldn’t be anywhere without him,

Website: http://www.franccescadestruct.com

Instagram: @franccescadestruct

Twitter: @fdestruct

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/franccescadestruct

Youtube: @franccescadestruct

Other: http://www.tiktok.com/@franccescadestruct http://www.fdsband.com

Image Credits
JRR Imagery The Threshold Jon Saporstein