Interview: 5 minutes with Cimo Fränkel

Amsterdam raised Cimo Fränkel is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer with over a decade of experience in the music business. The rising talent has already written a score of hits – including the multi-Platinum ‘Sex’, performed by Cheat Codes & Kris Kross Amsterdam, which has almost 450 million Spotify plays to date, going Gold in the USA, double Platinum in the UK, quadruple Platinum in the Netherlands, and gathering 7 more Platinum awards in other countries.

Drawing from experience working in different genres and taking cues from Michael Jackson, his greatest idol, Cimo never restricts himself to a single sound. Citing inspiration from a diverse selection of artists, from Fleetwood Mac to Usher, there is only one constant to his solo material: it’s poppy, catchy and intimate. On October 13th, Cimo Fränkel held a release party at a disclosed location in the Hollywood Hills for his latest single titled ‘Never Give Up’ – a seductive, yet groove-fueled journey, out now via iTunes and Spotify.

We speak with Cimo Fränkel on trying new things and audience interaction:

(Be sure to stream Cimo Fränkel’s latest single ‘Never Give Up’ below!)

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

I didn’t like school. It’s a way to not go to school and still have a job. Only if you are spending all your time getting good at it that is.

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

It is different every time actually, but mostly the idea. I feel that a song idea can can be a hit on it’s own while a sound usually can’t

Does your material feature any collaborations?

I have been working with a lot of other producers, artists and songwriters over the past few months, and will continue doing that. I love collaborating, it challenges you to impress your co-artist.

What’s on your current playlist?

War on Drugs, Francis and The Lights, Post Malone, Future.

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.

I try to find people in the audience that I can look in the eye and feel their appreciation, they came to have a good time, and I love to see and feel that, it makes my performance better.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

The basic for my original sound is that every melody should be pretty. At least I have to think it is. No melody in my song should be there just because it’s catchy, or hooky. It should be pretty, and if it’s catchy at the same time… Great!

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

I usually head out there not knowing what I’m about to do. Am i finishing a track that I started earlier? Am I trying something new? Who knows. I simply do whatever I feel is best for that session or the vibe we are in. Once I am in the studio with my writing partner we either start jamming until we have one great idea that we can build a song around or we start listening to whatever we’ve been doing over the last couple weeks to see if we can make improvements. Every day is a different day, you get inspired and that’s when you start.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

There are a couple important moments in my life where I thought this.

– When I was 4 I saw Michael Jackson and thought… I wanna be that, when people started telling me: “ya can’t” I was very disappointed.
– When I was 14 I started making beats and singing over them. Not long after starting that up I knew this was the only thing I wanted to invest my time in.

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?

Chocolate milk, my throat gets dry easily, and milk makes it phlegmy. Which works for me (not for most people). I don’t like regular milk, so cold chocolate milk. Also it tastes yum.

Any emerging artists on your radar?

Pluto Mars, I found a song the other day, can’t stop listening to it, it’s called Juice. Also a big fan of producer Sad Money.

What gets your creative juices flowing?

The sun! It also helps when I a wasn’t planning to create something that day. It comes natural then.

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

FL Studio has always been my jam. It gets the job done very quick for me. Also in love with my Tube Tech CL1B Compressor, my vocals sound so crisp.

Any side projects you’re working on?

A lot actually. But not something that is in a stage worth mentioning now.

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?

I’ve learned to follow my instinct. It helps that me and my writing partner are usually on the same page when making a decision.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

Besides my radio-friendly creations I will work towards an album that will also include vibey and deeper stuff.

For more information follow Cimo Fränkel on Facebook