Michael Franti & Spearhead are sharing the uplifting new single, “Once A Day” featuring Sonna Rele and Supa Dups.
An irresistible summertime anthem, “Once A Day” was produced by Supa Dups who has worked with Eminem, Pitbull, Rihanna, Damian Marley and Bruno Mars among others.
Michael Franti is a musician, filmmaker and social justice advocate who has been a key force in popular music throughout his storied career. The diversity of the Oakland, CA native’s sound can be attributed to his wide range of influences that include John Lennon, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Marvin Gaye and The Clash. Along with his band, Spearhead, Franti seeks to break down barriers in music between performer and audience, in order to create an intimate, meaningful experience.
Directed by Michael Franti and filmed in San Francisco, Encinitas, CA and at the recent BottleRock festival in Napa Valley, CA, the video intermixes a richly diverse crew (including brief cameos by Chuck D and S.F. band, The Mowgli’s), underscoring the song’s uplifting message of hope and perseverance.
One of the video’s featured players, 7-time NCAA All-American gymnast Rik Daniels, was born without the use of his legs. His mother was urged to institutionalize Rik while she raised him and two siblings on her own because she was told he’d never be able to walk. For Rik overcoming obstacles is a way of life. “It was never a question as to ‘whether’ I can do something,” he explains. “It was a question of ‘how.’” Daniels, now a dancer and motivational speaker was so inspired by the song’s redemptive message, he agreed to appear in the video even though he married his husband the day before filming commenced.
The video also features another figure Franti greatly admires, professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist, who is seen doing his signature breathtaking tricks on the half pipe. Burnquist has pioneered several tricks and counts 14 gold medals to date. Franti and Burnquist have been friends since meeting at the very first X-Games.
“’Once A Day’ is about unexpected moments in life. Some days we have unexpectedly beautiful moments and others that are unexpectedly challenging. Last year I had a really challenging moment when my son was diagnosed with a kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). We thought it would break our family apart, but moving through the initial tears, made us realize life is precious and that we need to hug, kiss and be close to each other every day and through that we could ‘rise up’ and face his illness together. I hope that ‘Once A Day’ brings inspiration to anyone in this world who is going through challenging times. Through music, dance and gratitude for this life we can all ‘Rise Up’!” – Michael Franti
New album due out on Fantasy Records in 2016. Details of the forthcoming album will be announced soon.
AVAILABLE NOW on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/MFOnceADay
Michael Franti & Spearhead “Once A Day” Tour:
August 1 Whistler, BC CA Wanderlust – Whistler
August 3 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory – Spokane
August 4 Boise, ID Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Gardens
August 6 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden
August 7 Flagstaff, AZ Pepsi Amphitheater
August 8 Santa Fe, NM Fort Marcy Park
August 9 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 11 Mountain Village, CO Telluride Conference Center
August 13 Pomona, CA Fox Theater
August 15 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Beach
August 18 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
August 20 Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion
August 21 Troutdale, OR Edgefield
August 22 Woodenville, WA Chateau St. Michelle
August 23 Bend, OR Les Schwab Amphitheater
August 26 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
September 17 Fredericton, NB CA Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival
September 19 Lincoln, CA Thunder Valley Casino Resort
September 20 Del Mar, CA Kaaboo Festival
Jan 26-31, 2016 The Rock Boat XVI
Feb 11-15, 2016 Sail Across The Sun
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