Frances Ancheta
San Francisco, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2005 | SELF
Music
Press
Ancheta's music has a mellow vibe to it that is a cross between Sarah McLachlan and Lisa Loeb...Ancheta is a sweet-voiced folky singer/songwriter who sings with a lot of heart. - Wildy's World
This CD makes you feel like you are at your favorite coffee shop where you wish the music was this good. It almost has a "live album" quality to it because of the way her music seems to bring her into your home. Frances has enough pop influence to make her easily accessible but brings some more global beats and influences that make her much more interesting and surprising. Her unique way of bringing different influences together separates her out from the masses. - CDBaby.com
Singer/songwriter Frances Ancheta isn't aiming for global stardom. The young Filipina acoustic-pop artist is instead simply wanting her gently rolling unplugged narratives to be appreciated, to find homes in the ears of listeners. Given that so many musicians today enter the field with MTV fantasies in their imagination, Ancheta's modest ambitions are touching and reflected in their down-to-Earth pleasures of her debut album "Now We're Here". - Twang Town
San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Frances Ancheta belongs to the post-Generation X side of the acoustic-pop coin, abosrbing the influence of not only traditional folk music but the edgy British college rock of the mid-to-late '80s. These influences inform her approach on her debut album, "Now We're Here", which marries the coffeehouse calmness of folk with the brittle emotions of classic alternative music. - Hellhound on My Trail
Filipino singer/songwriter Frances Ancheta may employ an acoustic guitar, but her quietly pretty songs are more coffeehouse pop than folk, which is fine with me. Given the glut of unplugged young lyricists out there, it's not easy to encounter someone with a voice that is distinguishable from the crowd. At times Ancheta recalls Corrine Drewery of Swing Out Sister; an obscure reference, sure, but there's no denying the similarity there, especially on "Coming Home." "Coming Home" is also one of the tracks on the CD which may reel in indie geeks with an insatiable appetite for twee, especially those who love the sadly beautiful sentiments of the Sundays.
"School of Fish" is the most upbeat track on the album as Ancheta's guitars have a spiky push. Much of the record, though, is rainy-day introspection, and Ancheta reveals her true influences by the perhaps unconsciously given English accents on "Hidden Song" and "Nothing Really Matters", drawing close to the likes of Frente! and Morrissey. Ancheta offers pleasant summer afternoon listening that is an inviting respite from the noise of the underground. - Overground Underground
Playing guitar and singing, she often invites guest musicians on bass and percussion, but mostly her style is uncluttered, letting her songs stand on their merits. Her full-length debut CD, Now We’re Here, has had air play on independent radio stations around the world.
- Skope Magazine: Music Up Close with Janie
Acoustic singer/songwriter Frances Ancheta makes beautiful music that fans will relate to with her amazing soft vocals and lovely lyrics. She is going to continue the tradition of other female singer/songwriters who have made a big splash in the music industry. - Junior's Cave Online Magazine
A textured and simplified album fitted with her breathy vocals...Frances' sound is a combination of Calypso and Hawaiian tropical goodness--it's nice. - Awaken Music
A really sweet West Coast Sound for sure is present here...All in all, “Hidden Gems” is a good release. It seems like a well produced album, the mixes are decent and it sounds professionally done. For those of you looking for some nice chill tunes for your playlist, this is the album you want to check out! Nicely done Frances! -
There is a sumptuous, lush feeling to “Hidden Gems” that recalls early American singer-songwriter and folk music, yet it has a modern twist. I really love her sense of tone; there is such longing and desire in her voice and words that I find it nearly impossible to not be moved every single time... -
Although the rhythmic intensity and stylistic shifts in melodic mood change from track to track, there is an underlying tone of new wave folk that emanates throughout this album; primarily carried by the soft yet emotive tone of Frances’ vocal performance. Her passion is tangibly felt through her gentle vocal color throughout the album. -
This 11-track masterpiece is a stirring offering from Ancheta that uniquely encompasses her craftiness in composing inventive melodies and taste of stirring hymns. Hidden Gems possesses an acute organic richness that comes to life through bare instrumentation and genuine talent. -
Her soft, soulful voice, soft jazz infusions, folky lilts and graceful musical demeanour, it’s all here...Hidden Gems is actually just that, an album full of soft, sonic textures and deft songwriting, delicacy and songs which are classics in the making -
Frances Ancheta is a singer and songwriter who recently released a new album, “Hidden Gems.” The project features 11 songs, and what’s special about the setlist is that every track has a completely different approach, giving the audience a brand new perspective on what it is like to make music with an open mind and a lot of creativity. -
Discography
I released 3 full length CDs of original songs entitled "Now We're Here", "Patterns", and most recently "Hidden Gems".
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Bio
Frances Ancheta is a Filipina American singer/songwriter and acoustic musician from San Francisco. Her musical style has been described by many as “thoughtful, eclectic acoustic folk and indie pop/rock” and “tropical new wave folk”. Frances has released three albums to date, most recently her first album in 8 1/2 years "Hidden Gems". Her music has garnered international independent and internet radio airplay in the US, Canada, UK, and Spain. Frances performs both original songs and her own interpretation of covers. As a creative arts therapist and cancer survivor, Frances definitely has experienced how music heals the soul, and she values music’s ability to help people understand the world around them, to connect with others, and to heal.
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