Loading AI tools
American singer-songwriter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pete Francis Heimbold (August 1, 1975) is a founding member of the alternative roots band Dispatch.[1][2] Since departing the group in 2019, he has established himself as a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist,[3] mental health advocate,[4] and educator.[5] His latest solo release is PTRN SKY! (out May 12, 2023 on Noble Steed Music).[6]
Pete Francis | |
|---|---|
Pete Francis performing with Dispatch in Germany, Hamburg, 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pete Francis Heimbold |
| Also known as | Pete Francis, RePete |
| Born | August 1, 1975 |
| Genres | Folk rock, Rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, Keyboards, Bass |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Dragon Crest Collective, Noble Steed Music |
| Website | Official Pete Francis website |
Francis grew up in Riverside, Connecticut, the youngest of four children, and drew early influence from the likes of Van Morrison, Cat Stevens, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, and Miles Davis.[7] As a student at Middlebury College in Vermont, Francis formed a band with guitarist/bassist/songwriter Chad Urmston and drummer Brad Corrigan. Originally called One Fell Swoop, the group soon changed its name to Dispatch[8] and would go on to sell more than 700,000 albums,[9] sell out New York's Madison Square Garden five times[10] and Boston's TD Garden three times, and become the first group to sell out New Jersey's Red Bull Arena.[11] On July 31, 2004, the band drew more than 100,000 people to Boston's Hatch Memorial Shell.[12]
Francis recorded several solo albums on the side during his years with Dispatch, and in 2023, he announced his first collection since departing the group, PTRN SKY![13] In Spring 2024, Francis announced the release of Neon Light Blind on reggae imprint Dubshot Records via ADA/Warner Music. [14] The songs on the project were co-written with Grant Michaels (Weezer, Sia, Banners), and take influence from reggae and soul standards that have always been a part of Pete’s musical identity. [15]
In addition to his work as a musician, Francis has also taught songwriting at Middlebury College[16] and collaborated with his wife, the visual artist Katie Heimbold, to launch the Dragoncrest Collective, a community organization that seeks to bring artists and art-lovers together through a series of live, interactive shows and events.[17]
He currently lives in Connecticut.[18]
For discography of Dispatch, see Dispatch Discography
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2022) |
Instruments
Amplifiers
Effects
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
