A really fun song from Olivia Frances (@olivia.frances) from the Braver Angels Songwriter Community to brighten your day and inspire. Here's what she has to say:

"It Just Takes One" is about making the world a better place through positivity and kindness. Since part of the Braver Angels mission is to bring people together, this song reminds listeners that even the smallest gesture, like a smile, can brighten someone's day and make us feel more like friends and less like strangers. I'm so grateful to have written this with the talented Michael Astrachan and I'm excited to have the opportunity to share it with the Braver Angels community." - Braver Angels

Multi-Award Winning Pop/Folk Artist, Olivia Frances is today's featured guest. Tune in for some amazing music and to meet the Artist & Songwriter behind it. - Music City Mortgage

Olivia Frances – In addition to being a prolific songwriter, Olivia Frances is a team player and a loyal friend, from my observation. I haven’t had the chance to meet her yet but have heard nothing but great things from Nashville Artist to Watch alumna Salina Solomon. Tuned Up had fun premiering one of her visuals in honor of National Honeybee Day. Her songwriting is wholesome pop with substance. -RG - I Am Tuned Up

WORLD KINDNESS DAY Celebrating our day of KINDNESS jamming out to Olivia Frances our super talented partner in kindness! Thank you SCORE AT THE TOP for so many food donations for the TLC pantries!! - Kindness Matters 365

When we last talked with pop/folk artist and environmentalist Olivia Frances in March 2019, a number of things were about to happen if the plans worked out.

As a senior at Clark University with exams coming up, Frances was hoping to graduate from Clark University where she was majoring in global environmental studies with a minor in music. After that, she had organized a 28-stop New England summer tour with her band. Meanwhile, Frances had an Indiegogo campaign going on to raise $10,000 to help with the production and release of her third album, "Orchid." Then she was going to move to Nashville in July 2019 to pursue her music career full time.

"Those things all happened," Frances said during a recent telephone interview from Nashville. "I did a tour last summer, moved to Nashville, very happy to be in the Music City."

"With the pandemic there's not nearly as much live music or if there is there isn't many people going to them," Frances said. "I was going to tour (this summer). It's really sad, all the musicians who were trying to make living."

But there has been more good news as well. Frances is nominated for Artist of the Year and also for Album of the Year for "Orchid" at the 6th Annual Josie Music Awards (JMAs), the largest independent artist award show globally, to be held Sept. 5 at the Dolly Parton Celebrity Theater in Dollywood. The event will be filmed for television.

"I was so, so excited getting nominated for album of the year and artist of the year. It's really quite and honor. It feels very validating," Frances said. "I have so many songs I want to share with the world."

There will be a buzz of a different kind on Aug. 15 when Frances releases a visualizer of her song "The Bee & The Rose" from "Orchid" on National Honey Bee Day. It is a day when beekeepers, beekeeping clubs and honey bee enthusiasts from across the U.S will celebrate honey bees and their contribution to our lives in an effort to protect this critical and increasingly endangered species.

As an environmentalist and musician, Frances uses "The Bee & The Rose" as a catalyst to discuss the current bee crisis on stage. The song is really an upbeat love song with a great refrain that keeps coming back to capture the listener. "The Bee & The Rose" was nominated for Best Story Song at the 18th Annual Independent Music Awards. Inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s album cover for "Tango in the Night," the visualizer features a fairy tale garden landscape with a honey bee flying onto a rose.

Originally from Cincinnati, Frances wrote her first song when she was 12 and found a community there that was supportive of her singing and songwriting. "I fell in love with the craft," she recalled in an earlier interview.

After graduating from high school, she spent her gap year in Nashville, working at a Barnes & Noble store and immersing herself in the music scene and performing at open mics.

While at Clark University, Frances also became a part of the music scene here. She appeared regularly at open mics and played venues such as Beatnik’s on Park Avenue (solo or with her band) on a regular basis. She was also part of the Newton Square Summer Concert Series, and participated in the Women of Worcester Concert. She won 1st place in the Singer-Songwriter Category in the 2018 New England Songwriting Competition.

"Orchid" came out of the Riverfront Recording Studios in Nashville and was produced by the distinguished Pat Lassiter.

Besides the title song and "The Bee & The Rose," other songs include "Lettin’ Summer Shine," "It Just Takes One" and "Moon to My Sun." In 2018 Frances was VOX Pop Winner in the Love Song category for "Moon to My Sun" (which had been released as a single) at the Independent Music Awards.


"Orchid" is an embodiment of what Frances has called "sunshine-story-pop" to describe her music. Often nature-inspired lyrics combine with well phrased vocals and skillful guitar playing to give the listener a refreshing splash of positivity but avoiding sappiness. Heartache can exist in this world, but so too does joy and it's likely it will win the day. Nine out of the album’s 11 tunes were written with the help of friend, colleague and collaborator Michael Astrachan of Nashville. All told, Frances has written or co-written over 300 songs, including with other writers from Nashville as well as Boston and Clark University.

On moving to Nashville full time, Frances said she found that the gap year there had helped. "From that year I had friends down here and I was familiar with the venues and landscape. I was able to dive right back in the music scene."

Among her activities pre-COVID-19, she was doing "songwriter rounds" where three or four songwriters on stage take turns to sing, and performing at venues such as the Commodore Grille and Belcourt Taps, the latter "a very small, intimate space and warm environment."

Day jobs have included working at City Winery, but she was laid off from there when the pandemic hit. Currently she's doing marketing for GoodSeeker, a start-up where employees of different companies blog about their experiences.

She can work from home, and that's where she has also been working on a lot of songs on Skype. "The new technology makes it easier to write with people all over the world," she said.

Frances has been writing and recording during the pandemic, but said, "I've battled back and forth with whether releasing new music is what I should be doing right now."

While there's always a push from music executives for "new content, new content," Frances wants to push the content of "Orchid."

"I feel it is very important to continue to push these songs and see what happens from that," she said.

Ironically, two good things have happened at the same time concerning Sept. 5. On the same day that Frances and "Orchid" are up for awards in Dollywood, she has a gig outdoors (actually a four-day engagement) in Sanduskly, Ohio, that was too good to pass up. "I will be at the Josie Awards in spirit," she said.

Asked if the pandemic has affected her songwriting, Frances said, "I think the answer is yes. I've been writing more positive things. It's funny to say that as most people think of my songs as positive music, but that mindset is showing through my songs to stay hopeful and positive."

And so she has positive thoughts about coming back here for a visit. "I would love to come to Worcester," she said. "I was supposed to come in July. The last time was this past November. I'm looking forward to being back among friends and walking around the Clark campus. Worcester always has a special place in my heart so I always want to go back and visit."

For more information about Olivia Frances, visit www.oliviafrancesmusic.com. - Worcester Telegram

Did you know that August 15th is National Honeybee Day?

I certainly didn’t. But Nashville based singer-songwriter Olivia Frances is a driven individual. The environmentally conscious artist has been making waves in both Nashville and Ohio, via strategic networking and her down-to-earth personality, mixed with her noteworthy style.

Olivia was actually set to perform at Ohio’s Bellwether Festival this summer, before COVID put a damper on that. We bring this up because her sound fits right in on a festival grounds known for hosting the Ohio Renaissance Fair and for an eclectic alternative lineup. So, naturally, we at Tuned Up were stoked to check out her single about bees.

Friends, it does not disappoint. And apparently, many others agreed with us. A sampling of accolades garnered by “The Bee & the Rose” includes a nomination for the Best Story Song at the 18th Annual Independent Music Awards and being a finalist in the 9th Annual Maine Songwriting Competition. More importantly, it draws attention to environmental conservation efforts aimed at preserving our bee populations in a fun, whimsical, and memorable way. There’s something approachable about her vocal style as well that invites further exploration into the topic at hand.

Olivia leaves no stone unturned and doesn’t want to leave any hives behind either. The visualizer for this fun, sweeping song, which can be viewed below, is inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s album art for Tango in the Night. Design and animation credits belong to Allie Oliver-Burns at Posemanikin, and the song was co-written with Michael Astrachan.

Follow Olivia Frances on Instagram. She shares several helpful anecdotes about the current bee crisis and how you can help there. - TunedUp

SANDUSKY, Ohio - A mix of local and regional bands will perform at Cedar Point’s stages in the amusement park’s new “Bands in Residence” live music series.

The lineup includes Northeast Ohio acts Thor Platter, Jul Big Green, The Ohio Weather Band and The Baker’s Basement. Musicians and bands from Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina and more round out the lineup.

Each act will perform for a few days or a full week at the park, taking the stage at either BackBeatQue, Gossip Gulch or the Red Garter Saloon. Gossip Gulch and BackBeatQue are outdoor stages.

The Bands in Residence series came together as a part of Cedar Point’s 150th celebration, and it drew more than 500 submissions from bands and musicians, according to Cedar Point’s website. Forty bands were chosen to perform at the park, but many of the performances have been bumped to 2021, according to the website.

Sept. 4-7: Olivia Frances - Cleveland.com

Plenty of Nashville-based Folk Pop singer-songwriter Olivia Frances’ releases have deservedly gone viral. If you’re yet to experience her spiritually resolving sound, her 2019 single The Bee & the Rose the perfect introduction.

As soon as you hit play on the seminal single, you’re hit with arcane and almost tribal tones before Olivia Frances starts to sweeten the soundscape with her harmonically arrestive vocals. As the single progresses, the Indie Folk Pop instrumental arrangement becomes more eclectic and its hold on you gets tighter.

It’s not every day you hear such angular guitar riffs in Indie Folk Pop or an artist who has such a magnetically soulful vocal command.

You can check out The Bee & the Rose for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast -

POP
Olivia Frances - Porcelain
Moana A - Wild Card
Anna Claire Loftis - Broke Like Glass
Deanna DeMola - Letting You Go
Emily Cole - Unnerving
Simone - The End Of The World
Nicki Kris - Stay
Sharmilla - Burning For You (Club Mix)
Vanessa Moses - Hey U - Indie Music Reporter

Olivia Frances, a pop/folk artist from Cincinnati, Ohio living in Worcester, Massachusetts released her third album Orchid on May 24th, 2019. This 11-track LP will be recorded and produced in Nashville, TN at Riverfront Recording Studios by Pat Lassiter. This album features great vocals and instrumentation on such tracks as the title track Orchid, Moon To My Sun, Lettin’ Summer Shine, It Just Takes One, Do You Know and so much more. I was quite moved by the performance on this album as well as the songwriting talent and superb recording. I would love to hear her earlier work to see how the growth came to this amazing album. This release is available from Apple Music, CD Baby and other outlets where CDs and digital downloads are sold as well as from her official website http://www.oliviafrancesmusic.com where you can learn more about this artist and her upcoming tour schedule. - Oasis Entertainment

There’s a sweet quality to Olivia Frances’ voice, one that brings a sort of light to a song like this one which is, at its core, enormously sad. ”‘Cause once in a blue moon he buys her flowers,” she sings, “takes her by the hand/looks into her eyes.” The inference, of course, is that’s something that’s lacking most of the time, and Frances’ persona chafes in the loneliness. - Worcester Magazine

http://breenoble.libsyn.com/1052-music-by-joy-zimmerma-3-bucket-jones-tokunbo-future-moons-tiffany-thompson-monika-lidke-cindy-slee-kathy-mathes-brother-spellbinder-heather-layne-suzanne-schmid-vanessa-racci-olivia-frances?fbclid=IwAR2QCjShlWG3aD9sC8laCYCAIj0T41aALuLUZM9tE4StuDvnp0kXXwI-yZw

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1i32XEHMaAz5mufswMdBeN?si=tqhzTVwFQIing3Mtnm4esg

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-of-substance/id939201604?mt=2

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-of-substance/id939201604?mt=2 - Women of Substance Radio

FOLK
Olivia Frances - Once in a Blue Moon
Sylvie’s Songs Feat. Amanda Sullivan – Roots Run Deep
Bill Abernathy – Whiskey Road - Indie Music Reporter

LACONIA — Singer-songwriters Katie Dobbins and Olivia Frances both released full-length albums this spring. Dobbins and Frances are collaborating with their fall tour, Sunshine in November, which will hit the Belknap Mill stage on Sunday, Nov. 3. The pair are no strangers to the venue, as both performed together for Dobbins’ 2017 'Post It Notes' music video release show.

Released in March, Dobbins’ sophomore album 'There Is Light' was celebrated with a tour through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. 'There Is Light' was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2019 New England Music Awards. Dobbins celebrated her New Hampshire album release show at the Belknap Mill in April, and made her debut on the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion Magic Hat Stage shortly after. She will performing as a trio, accompanied by local musicians Jarrod Taylor and Mike Moran.

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Frances recently released her full-length, fan-funded, third album 'Orchid in June.'

The Sunshine in November Tour featuring Katie Dobbins and Olivia Frances is at the Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. E., Unit 1, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 6-8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, visit sunshineinnovember.bpt.me. - Laconia Daily Sun

Lani here with my DJ pick of the week from folk/pop artist Olivia Frances. “Porcelain” is the lead single from her third album Orchid. Co-written with Nashville songwriter Michael Astrachan, the song explores the loneliness that accompanies technology addiction. Listen below and let us know what you think. - Lightning 100

Olivia Frances is a name you should remember. When she walks on stage, her infectious positive energy and powerful stage presence captures a room.

The likable song-like-lullaby about growing up contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and well-placed melodies. Also, it possesses acoustic guitar-driven instrumentation scented with a folk-pop aroma. - Bong Mine Entertainment Blog

Singer/songwriter/musician and environmentalist Olivia Frances unveiled her third album Orchid on June 14th.

The fan-funded pop-folk record was produced by Pat Lassiter and was co-written by Frances and Mike Astrachan. Combining her love for music and nature into one, the singer/songwriter explores the subject of self-love and finding love in this third album.

“I have tried to show or sneak my affinity with nature in my own way as a constant reminder of its importance in our lives,” says Frances.

Orchid includes her previous singles “Moon to My Sun” (which was the Vox Pop Winner in the Love Song Category at the 2018 Independent Music Awards), “It Just Takes One” and “Lettin’ Summer Shine.”

[interview] - Thread.

Olivia Frances is a pop/folk artist in her early 20’s. She has just released her 3rd album! It’s called Orchid and you will love it.

Olivia is a bit of a prodigy. She started writing songs at an early age and recorded her first record while still in High School.

The music is upbeat, relevant, and personal.

Olivia and Baruch discuss how Olivia came to the music, her inspirations, what it’s been like making records in Nashville, and the mission of the music.

We’ll hear selections from Olivia’s 3 records, focusing on the new one Orchid. - Paradigms

On the first day of summer, June 21, 2019, BWH Music Group released the sizzling hot summer compilation album, 'That Summer, Vol. 2, by Various Artists.' The album offers 16 songs from internationally acclaimed and award-wining independent artists Olivia Frances’ song "Lettin’ Summer Shine” is one of the phenomenal songs featured on the album.


Olivia states that “Lettin Summer Shine” was inspired by "the fun and freedom of summer. ‘Lettin’ Summer Shine’ is about kickin’ back, havin’ a good ol’ time with friends and family, and soaking up the sunshine! Summer is my favorite season."

A southern country vibe opens “Lettin’ Summer Shine” with twangy guitar, loose piano and light percussion. Olivia enters singing with a sweet summer tone; her voice is warm and inviting.

The chorus to Lettin’ Summer Shine is about as catchy as it gets and the build from the verses to the hook is written to perfection. The song feels like an old friend you’ve known all your life, the kind of friend you love to visit every summer and kick back with. “We’re Lettin' Summer shine. Leavin’ our worries behind, feelin’ oh so Fine, kickin’ back as the days unwind Under the sunny sky We’re Lettin’ Summer Shine."
Everyone is invited to the party - and this is key to Olivia's contagious songs. Her bright spirit shines through every songs she writes, inviting all to experience the positive impact of music.

Olivia shines like a summer day - every day of the year. Her music can be as cool and refreshing as a glass of lemonade, as uplifting as an ocean wave and as positive and warm as ray of sunshine. In “Lettin’ Summer Shine” her superior craftsmanship and artistry as a songwriter take center stage. With over 300 songs to her credit, Olivia Frances is poised to be Nashville’s next big name. - Please Pass the Indie

A rising artist who has racked up 5 songwriting awards before she’s even finished college, Olivia Frances isn’t your typical pop artist, and this 3rd album furthers her self-described ‘sunshine story pop’ into a mature setting with her carefully plucked guitar.

The title track starts with Frances’ bright and sturdy pipes on a country influenced tune that’s dripping with pop sensibilities, and “Moon To My Sun” follows with a dreamy setting of warm beauty.

Elsewhere, “Porcelain” brings fluid storytelling with a fuller atmosphere of percussion heavy indie-rock, while “It Just Takes One” is a charming Americana tune that’s full of optimism and upbeat sounds.

The second half of the album offers the sunny guitar licks of “Lettin’ Summer Shine”, where a sing-along chorus makes it immediately memorable, and “The Bee & The Rose”, a tune so full of universal melody it could easily be the break out tune for Frances. “Makin’ Room For You” ends the album with calm grooves and graceful keys, as Frances exists on a sophisticated, sweet closer.

A Cincinnati native who will be calling Nashville home very soon, this is a young talent with a bright future, who writes songs with the skill of a veteran while bring a unique creativity to a genre that will benefit greatly from her vision.

Travels well with: Joni Mitchell- Shine; Florence And The Machine- How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful - Take Effects

“Letting Summer Shine” kicks things off with high energy as the drums lead in a bright arrangement of melodic electric guitar, bass, and piano. As the guitar wanes, Olivia takes the lead for the first verse showcasing her pure vocal timbre. The vocal melodies are smooth yet dynamic with a pleasant rhythmic bounce. With a steady progression towards the chorus, the percussion beings to build up before a small rest that adds emphasis to the explosive, colorful entrance of the chorus. With the addition of sweet vocal harmonies throughout the second verse, every ounce of this song is infectious, taking you over and leaving you with carefree positive vibes. - Indie-Spoonful

Olivia Frances has been recognized by the Nashville Songwriter Association International (NSAI) as a “Ones to Watch” songwriter over a dozen times. Her songs on SoundCloud have reached over 100,000 streams, generating a loyal fanbase around the world. Her critically-acclaimed single “Moon to My Sun” was the VOX Pop Winner in the Love Song Category at the 2018 Independent Music Awards (IMA’s) held at Lincoln Center. She also won 1st place in the Singer-Songwriter Category in the 2018 New England Songwriting Competition. Other awards include the Valley Music Showcase’s “Best Original Song" as well as “Best Pop Song” at the Ohio Music Awards. Olivia Frances is known for her infectious positive energy and powerful stage presence. This prolific songbird has written and co-written over 300 songs with hit writers such as Billy Lee (“The One” by Gary Allan), Kevin So (“Crush On You” by India Arie), and Matt Stell (“Prayed for You”). Her latest album Orchid was produced by distinguished musician and producer Pat Lassiter, who has been referred to as the Max Martin of Nashville. In 2018, Olivia was one of the few American artists selected to perform at IndieWeek Canada in Toronto where she made her international debut. - Music Talkers

"[Olivia's latest album "Orchid" is] an irrepressibly sweet — and eminently likable — album." - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

"Olivia Frances’ voice soars. Dodging crosswinds and piercing through clouds as it ebbs and flows like a warm summer breeze." - Red Line Roots

"Without any doubt I can say that Orchid is a real masterpiece, it has such an innovative sound, so make sure to stream it as soon as possible!" - Le Future Wave