Smile (Official Video) – Out Now
I've been singing the chorus "You've got to smile every day, it's gonna keep your troubles far away" for years now, but it took a while for the rest of the lyrics to come together.
I was deeply inspired to finish it, because a smile from someone else feels so good, it can change your whole energy! “Smile” is a celebration of this simple gesture, one that will hopefully inspire them to make the world a better place.
Speaking of making things better, when Mannix from DubShot Records suggested the idea of working with Green Lion Crew and Don Camel, I was all for it! They are both well respected producers in the roots reggae genre, and hearing their interpretations was amazing. There's nothing like an extended Dub remix to keep the good times rolling. We filmed at our favorite pizza spot in Grigg Street Pizza CT, and in front of sites that have been struck by the pizza graffiti bandit, who has been getting alot of attention recently for tagging pizza shops all through Westchester County. We used director Jeff Pliskin from Raised Fist Propaganda, who has worked with other reggae influenced artists like Slightly Stoopid and has a cool street style to how he shoots his videos.
- Pete
Founding member of Dispatch, Pete Francis, takes a step deeper into the reggae world with his new single “Smile”; EP scheduled for May 17th
(New York, April 12th 2024) Pete Francis, a founding member of the highly influential band Dispatch has released his brand new single “Smile.” The highly infectious single and video was premiered on Relix Magazine yesterday to the delight of fans and critics alike. Released on DubShot Records, in collaboration with his label imprint Dragoncrest Collective, the 3-song single blends catchy one drop hooks and spacey dubbed out remixes from prominent reggae producers Green Lion Crew and Don Camel.
No stranger to reggae, New England native, Pete Francis toured in the early days of his ground breaking career with Dispatch alongside Ziggy Marley and Steele Pulse. Standing on the side of the stage and watching those artists perform took him back to his youth. When he would go island hopping with his father on a boat in the Caribbean, listening to Bob Marley on heavy rotation. Setting the course for his and his former band and their influences, they have both continued to venture into the reggae genre. With Dispatch appearing on the 2023 Grammy nominated Cali Roots Riddim, and slated to perform on Reggae Rise Up, MD in June.
The video for “Smile” was directed by Jeff Pliskin of Raised Fist Propaganda, and reflects the feel good nature of the song, riffing on the simple gesture and the power it holds. It was performed for the first time shortly after the video was shot to a capacity crowd at the world famous Capitol Theater’s Garcia’s in Port Chester, NY. The single is the first release from his upcoming EP Neon Light Blind, which will be available on all platforms Friday, May 17th 2024. While speaking to Relix Magazine about the release, the roots rocker had this to say about the single.