When Olivia Frances performs, you feel her joy and love coming through. Part intellectual storyteller Suzanne Vega meets Pharrell’s infectious song “Happy“, Olivia is an artist you should put on your radar and your playlist. Here’s our interview with the singer-songwriter, an Artist You Should Know.

Where did you grow up and where do you call home now?

I grew up in Cincinnati, OH and am happy to now call Nashville, TN home. I’ve lived in Music City on and off for about 10 years now.

How have the life experiences of where you lived affected your songwriting or the songs you choose to record?

Ever since I was young, I’ve always gotten inspiration for my songs from life experiences, conversations, and my surroundings. I’m especially inspired by the beauty of the world around us. That’s why I like to call my music “nature-folk-pop,” hence my songs such as”Labyrinth,” “Wind Chimes” and “Breathing Room.” I grew up in a suburb right outside of the city limits of Cincinnati and have always loved being surrounded by trees and wildlife. Living in Nashville, I oftentimes write with a variety of songwriters – but usually the songs I choose to record, that I feel are most representative of me, relate to that earthiness theme in some way.

What artists/songwriters have impacted or influenced your work the most?

I am a huge fan of Carole King, Kacey Musgraves, and Bon Iver. Those artists are the ones whose music I have continued to reach for again and again over the years. It’s funny how we’re drawn to certain creators who continue to inspire us year after year. It’s been especially amazing to watch Kacey Musgraves’ career unfold as I became a fan early on when her first album, “Same Trailer, Different Park,” came out in 2013. I even got to meet her (very briefly) this past April at a bar in Nashville!

When you perform, what do you hope is your audience’s biggest takeaway?

After I performed this year at Folk Alliance in Kansas City, MO (in Sarah Popejoy’s room!), a fellow artist came up to me and said that my performance was, “gorgeous and cleansing.” That made my night and really stuck with me. My hope is that my audience feels like they did – rejuvenated, inspired, and uplifted.

Tell me a little bit about your latest project?

My next upcoming single is called, “The Sun’s on Your Side.” I wrote this song by myself last fall after receiving a brief from a publishing company in Nashville that they were looking for more uplifting, optimistic songs. I’m really excited to share this one with the world. I recorded it on Music Row with the prolific Kyle Jefferson and hope that it feels like a warm hug to all who listen.

Fragile like a China Doll. Skin as white as snow. Her glassy blue eyes follow you wherever you go. Pretty like a portrait, paint a little cracked. If she breaks there’s no turning back. She’s porcelain.

Olivia Frances, from the song “Porcelain”

What was different or unique about your approach to this last project as compared to previous ones?

I had actually never written a song specifically for a brief before. This past year, I’ve gotten more into writing for TV/Film. As many people know, there’s not a lot of money to be made in the music industry anymore with Spotify paying about $0.003 cents per stream. Yet, there is some money left when it comes to getting your songs placed in a movie or commercial. So, I’ve decided to dive into that world to try to make music more sustainable and it’s been a lot of fun. I’m a proud member of the Global Songwriters Connection group in Nashville run by the amazing Sheree Spoltore. Last fall, I got to attend a songwriting retreat specifically focused on TV/Film and this is how the opportunity to write this song came about. I’m grateful for the open door.

Was there ever a time you felt like you wanted to quit making music? Tell us a little bit about your answer.

Yes, I feel like quitting music all the time (LOL)! It’s a very tough industry to be in. I wrote my first song when I was 12, so for years now, I’ve been hearing how hard it is. Sometimes I feel jaded. But I continue to follow my heart and do it because I love it. That’s what keeps me going. Living in Nashville, sometimes it feels like everyone can write a song. It’s only when I go to other cities that I’m reminded that it’s not something everyone is doing. Nashville can skew your perspective. Being here, you can also feel the creativity and lively energy pulsing through the city. Overall, I’m so happy and thankful I get to live in such a vibrant place.

What is your funniest or favorite “on the road” story when touring?

My favorite “on the road” story is when I performed at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, WY in July of 2022. I had never been to a rodeo before and all of the sudden, there I was performing at the World’s Largest Rodeo! I’d like to give a shout-out to my Operations Officer Ty Warner for making that show happen. You never know where music will take you. That’s a memory I’ll never forget!

Who or what keeps you grounded the most?

Besides music, my boyfriend, my many houseplants, and my meditation practice keeps me the most grounded. I have been meditating daily (or most days) since 2015. I prefer guided meditations so I love using the app Insight Timer to find whatever I’m needing. I especially love affirmations and gratitude meditations.

What advice would you give artists just starting out?

Print out the lyrics to your favorite songs and study them. Study the structure, the rhyme pattern, the storyline, etc. Go see live music often whether that’s at an open mic night or at a venue. Study what others are doing and learn tips and tricks. It takes a while to find your voice as an artist so soak up all the art you can to cultivate your own uniqueness and deepen your understanding of who you are. Try to learn how to record music as well. This is an important skill. Even if that means just being able to record a guitar / vocal on GarageBand and not releasing the track but simply being able to record it will help you have a better understanding of production and capturing sound.

Listen to Olivia Frances and other Artists You Should Know on AmericnaMusic.com’s Spotify Playlist.