Arthur Forcione a.k.a “Arthur The Artiste*” is a multi-talented singer-songwriter who is ready to change the status quo of the music industry. A very different and uniquely wired musician Arthur isn’t afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with his deeply layered and well-crafted songwriting. Born in Miami Beach, Florida, and raised in New York City. His drive, focus, and tenacity will him to become a relentless and emerging force in the independent alt-pop circuit. Arthur The Artiste* is making music that is driven by a desire to motivate, inspire, and tell his story his way.
Born into a French American family, he also has Italian roots. He attended a French high school and found his passion for creativity in his later years. He graduated from the University of Chicago and worked in finance for a short spell before turning to music as the vehicle by which he would express himself. He uses his experiences and musical acumen to create a combination of unique and experimental sounds that often dabble in multiple genres and result in alternative fusions that are still firmly stitched together by emotive undertones.
Arthur cites icons such as Daft Punk, Avicii, Kanye, Kid Cudi, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Bob Dylan, and Billie Eilish as pivotal influences in his music. This all culminates in Arthur The Artiste* producing an enjoyable, and easygoing musical experience that is authentic and grounded in reality. His overarching ambition is to make music that has a fun and creative edge. He is driven by the desire to help people realize that they can be heroes in their own lives and communities through his gift. He also wants to impact lives through his music and to create a legacy that’s different unique and memorable.
Who inspired you to make music?
Star Wars. So, George Lucas and John Williams. But really everyone who worked on that masterpiece since it was such a collaborative effort. I fell in love again with Star Wars during my college years as Disney was coming out with the Sequel Trilogy. The heroic journeys of Luke and Rey inspired me to go on my own. To become Arthur The Artiste*. Like them, I was a lonely kid, far from home, and constantly yearning for adventure. Music became my escape. I dreamed of going from playing guitar alone in my dorm room to becoming a great rockstar touring the world. Well, here I am on my journey. Not there yet. But somewhere in the middle.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Daft Punk! I know they broke up but let a French boi dream! Random Access Memories is the best album of all time. If they could help my music sound like that, I would die a happy man. They get it.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
Freedom. I can do whatever I want. B who I want to b. That was not the case when I worked for companies, whether it was in finance in Chicago, politics in DC, marketing in NYC, or entertainment in LA. I am much happier now—not alienated from my labor.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Fantastical. The way I see it, at the base level reality, I am a singer/songwriter singing alone in my room with my acoustic guitar providing the core of the song. The electronic instruments that come in at different points of the songs in the album are a manifestation of my imagination running wild during that acoustic performance. The 808s, the electric guitar, the synths…all of these represent supporting characters, foils, antagonists in the story I am telling. So fantastical is the right way to describe my music, because it doesn’t really fit in a single genre. It’s an exploration of the worlds I create in my mind with each new style or musical influence being but a chapter in an overarching journey.
Have you got a ritual of sorts when writing and thinking about your music?
Trust your gut. When the first lyrics, the first melodies, the first musical ideas for a song come to mind, there is usually a reason for that. Your subconscious is just as much a part of you as your logical thinking brain. I don’t worry about understanding or rationalizing every aspect of my work. I don’t think that’s how making art works. Let the academics and fans debate the meaning in the piece. It’s always more interesting when even I don’t know what a certain lyric of mine means.
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
I just released my first album “Project Dreams,” which I see as my origin story. Now it’s time to actually use the skills that I have developed and venture off into the world to help spread the word of Revolution. I truly believe we are moving towards a world that is free for everyone, but we are not there yet, and there is a long way to go. But with the rise of an aggressive China, climate change, and increasing political/social instability in the United States and Europe, things are going to get ugly. It’s inevitable, but the night is darkest before the light. With my next project I hope to remind people of what they already know. That deep down we all just want to be free.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” From The Lion King. “Stars” from Les Misérables is also one of my favorites for the shower. My roommates think I’m a Broadway nerd.
What historical Figure would you love to see in 21st century life?
Napoleon. He’s such a polarizing figure. Some people argue he’s a power-hungry dictator. Others argue he’s a great person who spread the ideals of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment to the rest of the Western World. I always wanted to write a musical, kinda like Hamilton, about him. He’s a complicated and nuanced individual with an underrated impact on world history—especially here in the USA. Getting to meet him and poking his brain would certainly help me understand the grey area of his character a little more.
If you had to describe yourself as a flavour, what would it be?
Ever since I was a young boy, I always wanted to be a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto dipped in Ranch.
Which fictional character do you wish was real?
Jesus.
Do you have any superstitions?
Let’s just say I watch Derrick Henry highlights every night before going to bed. Won my fantasy football championship last year. And currently sitting in first place.
Website: arthurtheartiste.com
Instagram: @arthurtheartiste
Facebook: facebook.com/ArthurTheArtiste
