It's hard to really predict the future career of one
James Edward Franco these days, the Oscar nominated actor, film director, screenwriter, producer, author, painter, and performance artist who has become something of a jack of all trades lately. Though it would be wrong to call him a master of none when he has matured into such a good actor but for his other works of art, I'm not so sure how many people are really that interested in what he does outside of film. Case in point, it now seems we can add musician to the list of professions he dips his toe into.
Pitchfork revealed this week that Franco is teaming with
Kalup Linzy, a video performance artist who usually dresses in drag for an EP titled '
Turn it Up' that is to be released July 12th on the Dutty Artz label. Not only that but Franco will join Linzy in making music videos for their collaborative tracks - 'Rising (Both Sides Now)' and 'Turn it Up (So We Can Turn It Out)' and also a Linzy solo track that's no the EP titled 'Fly Away', with 'surprise guest cameo's' promised. The odd duo came to work on the EP after Franco invited Linzy to perform on
General Hospital during Franco's utterly bizarre run on the soap opera and very soon Kalup and Franco were born and I imagine more collaborations will follow somewhere down the road. Some sneak peaks at their work have hit Youtube. First up, here's a version of Proud Mary which features Franco providing backing vocals; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7eX51NM3oU An excerpt at a non EP track; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHAG93JnR_U The EP will be available as a digital download and as a limited-edition 7". Additionally,
Showbiz 411 (via
The Playlist) have spotted a billboard that looks to be promoting
Rebel, a short film by the actor about the late
Brad Renfro which has connections to
James Dean, apparently. More high-art stuff from Franco (backed by Gucci, so expect many billboards that look like fashion ads soon) and interestingly it hints at a Venice/L.A. Film Festival debut;
Meanwhile, Franco has the small matter of being a movie star this August when
Rise of the Planet of the Apes opens!