Hiya Frances thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide to become an artist?
I have been doing music for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a musical family and now have been doing music professionally for three years or so.
Introduce us to you and your musical history?
I grew up in a musical family and fell in love with singing and music. I took voice lessons and in University, and earned my BA in Drama. Music has always spoken to me on a deeper level, and songwriting has been a means to process life in general for many years. I’m from Alberta originally and was raised on Joni Mitchell, Don McClean, Gordon Lightfoot and other country and folk music, which really taught me a lot about great songwriting.
What’s one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
How long have you been singing for/doing music.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
No.
What useless party trick do you have?
I can sing in a chipmunk voice.
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
Playing the Dragonboat festival here in Victoria, BC last summer.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Singing at a mental health symposium years ago when I had a voice crack.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about?
I’m really nerdy and love books.
If you had to describe your music to an alien how would you describe it?
Alt – folk, indie alt pop. Edgy ethereal.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
Dark and angelic at the same time.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most?
F^^*&&% Putin.
What’s your favourite song to play live and why?
An original called Saved Myself because it’s upbeat and one of my more light-hearted songs.
I hear you have a new tune, what can you tell us about it?
It’s called “STAY”, and is an alt-pop rock tune produced by Spencer Lillo of Neon North Music. It was dreamt up while at my piano while contemplating how to bring the feeling to life of being powerless, angry, hurt and broken, but still wishing that the person who broke you in the first place would ask you to stay. In my opinion, this song is the representation of love as an addiction, and the push-pull of the toxic relationship, where everyone around you asks, “why didn’t you just leave?”
Talk me through the thought process of the new single?
The collaboration began after I posted a short video of myself playing a moody and emotional version of the song on the piano. A talented up-and-coming producer from Calgary, named Spencer Lillo, happened to see the video and contacted me about creating a pop-rock version of the song, which I was really excited to try. Together, we managed to transform the song into a very compelling, new emotional and compositional direction. I’m grateful for how we transformed my initial ballad into a powerful, alternative pop-rock anthem that hits you right in the feels, and I believe it will resonate with others who have experienced the same thing.
“Stay” takes you on a journey of shifting from a place of sadness and insecurity to a sense of resolve that you deserve much more, and the only person who can secure your healing is you”.
What was the recording process like?
I live in BC and Spencer lives in Alberta, so had many phone calls, and then I recorded the tracks in my home studio, and we took it one version of the track at a time. He had an amazing vision for the song to pull my ballad into a more powerhouse song, and for that, I’m grateful.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single?
Changing the lyrics to fit in a catchier song structure and learning about patience through various phases the song went through.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No, I’m really proud of it.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I’m so excited, because I have so many new things coming up. After this song I will be releasing two new EP albums, and actually will be releasing a new version, an acoustic version of ‘Stay’, as well as a new single as well. The music video for ‘Stay’ will be premiering March 10th with this song on Youtube, and I’m so proud of the work we did and what we accomplished with it. The song is about being an empath in a narcissistic relationship, and the healing process that ensues after feeling hollow inside. I’m so excited for my music to grow into an edgier sound and hope that the song resonates with people who have experienced the same thing and are on their own healing journey.
CHECK OUT HER BANDCAMP HERE