As today marks National No Makeup Day, globally revered musician and activist Michael Franti celebrates with a new music video for “No Makeup,” featuring the Bay-area native, wife Sara and friends showcasing some of their deepest insecurities, offering a deeper interpretation of makeup, before washing them away, empowered by the people around them who love them most. Watch the video HERE. Fans are encouraged to participate in the movement and share photos or videos on social media with their own inhibitions written on their face before washing them away, tagging Franti (@MichaelFranti) with #NoMakeup and #WashAwayMovement.
“Sara and I wake up together every day,” shares Franti, “and there was one morning when I said, ‘You look so beautiful. I just love it when you wear no makeup,’ and she was like, ‘That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me!’ And then after the fourth or fifth time, she said, ‘You’re kinda giving me a little complex because anytime I put some makeup on, I feel weird, like you’re not going to think I’m as beautiful.’
“So I started to think, ‘What does makeup really mean to people?’ I realized that this song wasn’t necessarily just about makeup. It’s about how all of us wear masks in our life. We tell ourselves stories, or we’ve heard stories that other people have told us about ourselves, that is this negative voice we hear in our head. This video is about getting rid of that. At the end of the day, being you is the most beautiful thing that you could ever be – to be your authentic self.”
Written by Franti with Eric Paslay and Greg Hvnsen, “No Makeup” is a sweet acoustic-led ballad released as part of Franti & Spearhead’s 2022 album Follow Your Heart:
Mornin’ sunrise with you got me smilin’
Always good vibes with you by my side and I just wanna love you forever long
With no makeup on
As perfect as the day you were born I love it when you wake up
With no makeup on
Known all over the world for their energizing live shows that foster an invigorating sense of community, Franti & Spearhead will embark on the Big Big Love Tour 2023, featuring over 50 shows from May to August, including stops at California Roots Music & Arts Festival, Reggae Rise Up and Central Park SummerStage, along with a highly anticipated return to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Franti & Spearhead will be joined on this leg by SOJA, Tank & The Bangas, Fortunate Youth, Lawrence, The Dip, Phillip Phillips and more. Tickets are on sale now at MichaelFranti.com.
“Big big love represents being able to hold space for the micro and the macro of love,” Franti explains. “Everyone has someone they love, whether it’s their child, spouse, pet or friend. But then there’s holding space to love people of difference – people who are in the midst of war, people where there is pain and suffering. You show up as love, determination and spirit in those places where people really need a caring soul connection to help them heal. That’s what big big love is: holding space for the personal and the worldly.”
As Franti reconnects with Soulrockers around the country, exclusive VIP opportunities will be available on select dates, including an intimate VIP Meet & Greet at headline shows and special VIP Experiences at Red Rocks Amphitheatre including a Soulshine Bali Cocktail Hour with Franti ahead of his performance. The cocktail hour will include a special acoustic performance, small bites & cocktails inspired by Soulshine Bali’s “100% healthy 90% of the time” mentality.
This fall, Franti’s Soulshine at Sea Cruise sets sail Nov. 4-8 from Miami, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico with a lineup featuring John Butler of John Butler Trio, SOJA, Fortunate Youth, The New Respects, Tropidelic and Shut Up & Dance, with more additions to be announced. Soulshine at Sea includes unique curated activities with Franti and his wife Sara as well as soul- renewing wellness opportunities with instructors including Gina Caputo, Sunshine & QVLN, Kate May and more.
Marking Franti’s second voyage with Sixthman, this year they have partnered with Environmental Bamboo Foundation, an Indonesian non-profit organization that promotes bamboo as a sustainable alternative to timber. Money raised throughout the voyage will go towards the foundation’s work to help reduce deforestation while encouraging biodiversity.
Since wrapping the U.S. portion of the Follow Your Heart World Tour last year, Franti and his family have been living at their boutique sound and wellness resort, Soulshine Bali, located in Ubud, where the Bay-area native has been hard at work writing and recording new music to be released later this year.
Soulshine Bali focuses on joy through wellness and music and features 32 suites, a day club, a panoramic yoga shala, two restaurants, infinity pools and a spa, all surrounded by lush rice fields. Retreats are hosted consistently, and packages are available at SoulshineBali.com.
