Photo Credit: Leeah Collins

The Franklin Electric releases new single, “Warning Signs”

Jenna Melanson·May 17, 2023

The Franklin Electric Release New Single & Video “Warning Signs” from Oh Brother LP out June 30

The Franklin Electric, led by talented singer-songwriter Jon Matte, release “Warning Signs” along with the official video today; the third single from Oh Brother, out June 30th.

He explains that

“‘Warning Signs’ is about paying attention to life and listening to the signs. It could be a feeling we have, a circumstance or situation that keeps reoccurring trying to tell us something. Trusting these signs and allowing change instead of ignoring them and resisting change.”

He adds,

“It’s the first music video that I filmed and directed myself. Filmed in San Pancho Nayarit, Mexico where I met Montana Dare, a local street circus performer who introduced me to the Cyr wheel that she practiced every day in the local park where we filmed.”

The album will be accompanied by a cross-Quebec tour, starting with an album release show on June 29th at the MTelus as part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. As well, he announced a show in Toronto at The Great Hall on July 14th and in Ottawa at The 27 Club on July 15. Find full tour dates below, with additional dates across Canada to come.

Matte has seen the person closest to him, his brother, struggle with addiction and homelessness issues for most of his life. After years of shying away from discussion, Matte has infused the power of change and healing into the band’s fifth and most heartfelt album yet.

“Oh Brother is an ode to my brother and to everyone that may be going through similar issues,” Matte says. “For my whole career I’ve stayed away from addressing my family, but addiction and personal struggle should not be kept secret, and I am ready to share this all as a story in hopes to help break a stigma that exists around these very common issues and encourage people to heal and express their lived experiences.”

After growing as a songwriter over his last four releases, Matte felt that Oh Brother was the right time to write more introspectively about the impact and inspiration that his family has had on his music. “My brother’s addiction and homelessness were always approached as dark family secrets, but in truth, he’s been part of my personal story and inspiration all along,” Matte explains. “Throughout writing this album, I finally felt myself letting go from a narrative that has preoccupied my mind for years.” Matte is cognisant that his family story is not unique, and he hopes to inspire others to share their own stories and confront the negative stigmas surrounding these matters.

Mental health and addiction are on the rise, and Matte is concerned about how these issues have only been compounded by the effects of social media.

“These days when you turn on your phone, you’re instantly inundated with the expectations of modern-day hustle culture. Everyone’s playing a fictionalized version of themselves online, and I want to break through that and tell people that it’s okay to embrace your own identity. Our personal baggage is what makes each of us unique, and I truly believe that facing our inner self is the key to unlocking our voice.”