May + June - what if i was just an artist?

shows, co-writes, and feeling big feelings

What if I was just an artist? What if I just wrote the songs? Maybe the art wouldn’t suffer at the hands of everything else. I can’t pinpoint the moment that it changed, when exactly I took on so many roles. Promoter, booking agent, manager, graphic designer, social media manager, photographer, editor, accountant, business-women. It comes with the title, It’s part of the job. But I wonder if it should be. And if you make it known that you have grievances with the system, with the expectations put on you, you are told that “it’s not that hard” and “you should feel lucky”. I have witnessed several artists express how the expectations set by their labels, manager, etc. are not only unrealistic, but the tasks never have anything to do with making good art. They are solely focused around being a full time “content creator”. And I guess somewhere along the way, that is what I signed up for. And it is most likely just the beginning. I wonder how long it will last before I don’t have to do it anymore. Or will it just keep getting worse until there is nothing left to post? Sure, this is complaining. Sure, it’s been said before. And I’m still going to do it, I’ll still be part of the machine. Because at the end of this soul sucking path there is something I want so badly, and it doesn’t feel like there is any other way. But I wont be happy about it. And when I close my eyes to go to sleep, I will wonder, what if I was just an artist?

May

Holding Your Hand Release

On Mother’s Day I released a song called “holding your hand” that I wrote about my late mom. It talks about the acceptance of grief and the fear that you may start to lose the memories you have of the person you lost. Give it a listen here.

New Songs

I spent most of May in Bushwick. I wrote some really good songs and I played a couple shows alongside some very special people! Here is a song called “Cliff Dive” I wrote with Carter Long:

Production

I also finished up a really awesome song that I had been producing for a super talented Nashville based artist. It should be released this summer so keep an eye out for that! If you are an artist that is in the market for an affordable female producer, reach out! I’d love to hear your songs!

June

Show Shows Shows!

In June I returned to Nashville and played 3 shows in town! Here is a clip from 6/14 at DRKMTTR alongside Legit Smitty and Emma Ogier:

I had some great cowrites, one of which being with Abigayle Kompst and Sara Bares at Warner Chappell!

Most recently I played a backyard show at Sunshine’s place, alongside Anna Bates and Van Andrew! It was about 5 million degrees outside but it was a blast!

In the next couple weeks I will be back in the studio recording new music! Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date. IG: themollyfrances. And if you have any leads on shows or you are an artist and you want to be on a bill together, reach out! See you next month <3.

xoxo,

Molly