English American trio FODÉ have released their new single, Dead Poets. We asked front man Fodé Busia the BIG questions . . .
FODÉ are James Clark on drums, Ollie Norris on bass, and Fodé on vocals and guitar and they first appeared on the London music scene two years ago.
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The band used humorous parodies of popular artists' styles on TikTok to reach viral success with their satirical songs.
Dead Poets was created from the concept of their viral video, "how Frank Ocean sounds to non-fans", which gained over four million views.
Speaking about the song, FODÉ says, "This song started as a joke but we took it seriously and turned it into art."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I grew up moving around, every two or three years because my parents are diplomats. So, I grew up as a bit of a nomad and it's kind of bled into my adult life. On top of making music, I also make films, I studied filmmaking for five years, so that's, another passion of mine. Lastly, I speak French.
How would you describe your music?
I'd describe our music as alternative pop with a twist. We have like a lot of different influences in terms of genre and I think it always depends on the song. For example, one song can be a bit psychedelic influenced. One song can be a bit funky, or aspects of punk or metal. So yeah, I think it depends on the song, but the foundation is always pop-alternative.
Who are your musical inspirations?
A huge inspiration for me is Paul McCartney. I kind of fell in love with his, post-Beatles work with Wings. We also really love Tame Impala and Frank Ocean. As well as some older bands like Steely Dan, 10cc, and The Buggles.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Slightly embarrassing, but it was the Jonas Brothers when I was like 12 years old. Which isn't very rock and roll, but it was great. Loved the Jonas Brothers back in the day.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first record I bought, in terms of vinyl, was called London Town by Wings. Which was very fitting because I had recently moved to London and it was the first Wings record I ever really listened to. So that was huge and kind of started my whole vinyl addiction and obsession. And, yeah, started my collection of Wings records because now I have all their albums.
What's your favourite song right now?
Other than our new single, my favourite song right now; I'm going to highlight a smaller artist that I discovered on TikTok named Emma Harner. She has a song called When You Mean It that I've been listening to on repeat. Yeah, she's great. Would love to collaborate with her at some point.
Favourite lyric of all time?
To be honest, I'm a lot more melodically inclined rather than lyrically. If I have to choose then probably in Across the Universe by The Beatles. "Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup, they slither wildly as they slip away across the universe, pools of sorrow, and waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind, possessing and caressing me." That's beautiful. That's poetry. Some of the best lyrics of all time.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That's, like, impossible and so hard. I recently listened to I'm Not In Love by 10cc, and that is potentially one of the greatest songs ever made or engineered or produced. It's an amazing song but the way they make the voices in the background become an instrument, it's beyond amazing. Incredible. So that's definitely up there. I'd listened to that for a good while.
Where can people find your music/more information?
People can find our music on all streaming platforms. Spotify and Apple Music, Amazon Music. You can find us on Instagram (@fode.band) and TikTok (@fodeband). Go stream our new single, Dead Poets.
Alan Corr
