The Franklin Electric

The Franklin Electric is a Montreal-based indie folk collective led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jon Matte. Formed in 2010, the band emerged from Matte's extensive background in production, having worked with notable Quebecois artists like Patrick Watson.

This production pedigree is evident in the band's sophisticated arrangements, which frequently blend traditional folk instrumentation with ambient guitar textures and jazz-influenced brass. Their sound identity is defined by a 'piano-first' approach to folk, distinguishing them from the guitar-centric tropes of the genre. Over a decade of activity, they have evolved from the earnest folk-pop of their debut toward more complex, introspective works like 'In Your Head / In Your Heart'. They occupy a specific cultural space in the Canadian indie scene, bridging the gap between the chamber-pop sensibilities of Montreal and the rugged Americana of the prairies. Critical consensus highlights Matte's vocal sincerity and the band's ability to execute 'intense emotional improvisation' during live performances, a trait that has earned them comparisons to early Coldplay and Radiohead.