Fran: Love Is Real

“Love has many faces, but what stays unchanged is the courage to love,” Fran tells Apple Music. Throughout her career, the lead singer of Frandé has positioned herself as an unflinching advocate for tolerance and love. And that’s rung especially true after she won the prestigious Golden Horse Award for her original score for Dear Tenant, a film centring on predicaments faced by a gay protagonist. Here, we spoke to the artist to get her perspective on love, LGBTQ+ issues and the making of this playlist. What is love to you? “Love is a peculiar thing. It can contain and blend together countless moods; it’s a beauty that can show itself in countless forms and pathways. Because real life is too complicated, and we’re all still on its path, it takes a lifetime to understand it, practice it and appreciate it.”
When you were putting together this playlist, what were the first songs you thought of and why? “‘方向感’ (Sense of Direction) by 1976: It describes being in a stage of confusion, as if to become aware of something, and then try moving in that direction, without fear and without giving up. “‘Love Is Real’ [by Moods]: This is also the first song on the playlist. The song basically tells you, ‘This is such a great feeling! I love someone, and they love me back!’ To me, this conveys the beauty and goodness of the purest and most essential values. “‘Freak In Me’ [by Mild Orange]: This is a song from 2020 that flirts with traditional sounds and it’s really enchanting. The lyrics say ‘‘cause you bring out the freak in me / it’s only for you’. So romantic!”
You’ve participated in many Pride parades. Is there any one moment that left you with the biggest impression? Or did you see anything that moved you deeply? “There was a time I went along with some same-sex couple friends! As the sun was going down and mist was floating through the glowing hues of dusk, they were holding hands and smiling at each other, and they looked just like they were taking a wedding photo. All of a sudden, I was tearing up. I was really moved to be able to join in the parade with them, like I was doing my part for their happiness and prosperity. I was so happy.”
Is there anything you want to say to everyone or any particular issues you want to draw everyone’s attention to? “I wish for this world to be more and more tolerant of people who are ‘different from ourselves’, for everyone to be treated fairly and to have equal rights.”