NEAL FRANCIS

Chicago’s Neal Francis and his band rolled through Hear Here studio riding a groovy cloud of momentum, fresh off the heels of their latest release, In Plain Sight. 

Drummer Collin O’Brien recalls the restless trek to Milwaukee that made it all possible: “We had driven through the night to make the session, but it proved to be worth it! The vibe they curate at Hear Here presents is welcoming and friendly, and we loved the experience.”

Neal and his band serenaded the art-clad studio’s intimate crowd with selections from the new record, opening with a tight and jammy rendition of “Alameda Apartments.” 

Next came the retro-groover, “Say Your Prayers,” featuring a driving Motown-inspired rhythm section courtesy of Mike Starr (bass) and Collin O’Brien (drums), spacey psychedelic riffs from guitarist Kellen Boersma, and effortless flourishes on the baby grand from Neal himself. 

Neal and the band closed the session with a melt-in-your-ears rendition of fan favorite “You Can’t Stop the Rain,” before playing a packed show at the Colectivo Backroom later that evening.