INTERVIEW: Jes Frances on her latest singles 'Coming Around' and 'Lighthouse': "This song was my anthem of encouragement to my full potential"

San Francisco-based singer songwriter Jes Frances is having a productive 2020. Challenging herself to release a new song every month, over the last two months she has released the empowering anthem ‘Coming Around’ and today she releases the moody, dramatic ‘Lighthouse’ which showcases Frances’ incredible vocal range.

Music has been part of Frances’s life since she was a child and in 2018 she released her debut single ‘Facade’. Over the intervening three years she has displayed a remarkable talent at creating music from a wide sonic landscape, including electronic dance, flamenco tinged powerpop and smooth jazz infused swing, all of which she has inhabited authentically. She is that rare breed of performer that you never know what to expect next which makes every release incredibly special. We recently caught up with Jes to find out more about her music.

Congratulations on the release of your latest two singles ‘Coming Around’ and ‘Lighthouse’, they are both really fantastic songs! We particularly love the empowering lyrics of ‘Coming Around’, can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind the track?
Thank you! Yes of course. This track was inspired by my need to get out of the comfort zone I was living in and begin to live the life I knew was possible by making the choice and taking the action. I noticed myself getting caught in my mind rather than living out loud and the moment I became aware of that and started making moves toward what made me happy. This song was my anthem of encouragement to my full potential. By taking a leap of faith through my own action, I noticed the change which led me to find my wings.

There is a really inspirational message in the lyrics about finding yourself. Is it important for your music to carry a message your listeners can apply to their own life and help them through their own rough patches?
Yeah, of course. Not all of my songs will have such a message but if my music can be a guide to lead someone out of their hurt and back into their power then my soul is happy. Not all of my songs will have this exact message, but I hope my music can be a guide for healing in some way as that is what it’s been for me. 

Can you tell us a little about the creative process behind the ‘Coming Around’?
When I first started writing this song, I wrote the melody first. Once I got the melody, I sang through until words came through. Once I had an idea of the message, then I wrote the rest. I wrote it within a couple of days

If we can take it back to the beginning, what role did music play in your life when you were growing up?
Singing was my way of fully expressing myself since I can remember. It was my outlet, my way of communicating to the world around me and channeling my own feelings even before I was fully able to understand what it all meant. I was around music since I was a baby as my dad played rock guitar and my grandpa sang jazz, so between both of them I was very well versed in the genres of rock n’ roll and jazz. I was writing by the time I was 7 and would write any chance I got. From this moment on, I was writing and singing with songwriters and producers from high-school, to college, up until the point I released my first single. 

Who were the artists that inspired you, or who you looked up to, when you were a child?
When I was really young I was inspired by the Beatles, Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Santana and Aretha Franklin. Alicia Keys’ first album, Songs In A Minor is what truly inspired me though to tap deeper into my songwriting. The first time I listened to her music my soul was moved, I felt understood.  

Many people have a childhood dream to be a ‘pop star’ but few make it a reality. What steps did you take to get your career as a musician underway?
Once I decided to fully take the leap into my music career, I took courses online at Berklee School of Music for songwriting and production. Learning was inspiring and connected me with other musicians which was inspiring. I wrote and recorded a lot of my music during this time and also got involved in the busking scene in SF. After a couple of years of this, I planned my first showcase and released my first single. An A&R rep from Bottlerock found me through my showcase and booked me for Bottlerock that same year. Since Bottlerock, I’ve transitioned my focus to releasing my catalog of songs. I think there are so many different ways to be seen and heard within the industry but the most important is to show up and share the music. 

You plan to release a song a month, which is a really cool concept, what made you decide to do this? 
Thanks. After my first single release, I waited almost a year to release my next single as I became mainly focussed on my live performances. I planned to release a single every month after my performance at Bottlerock, and then when Covid struck I was laser beam focussed to release my tracks every month that much more. I wanted to share my story more consistently. 

Do you have the next few months of songs ready to go or do you plan to write and record every month?
I have the next few months songs recorded and in mixing now. Saying that I am also writing and recording new content as I release a new song music every month. 

The music industry has traditionally been very male-dominated, both front of stage and behind the scenes, with women generally not getting the same respect or exposure as their male peers. What are your thoughts on gender equality and sexism in the music industry?
I am a huge advocate for gender equality and women empowerment in and out of the music industry. Throughout my music career, I’ve always put my creative expression first. So, to me if that’s valued and respected then I can work with someone. If not then it’s time to move along. It’s unfortunate to see the disrespect, and just like a toxic relationship, if it’s unhealthy it’s best to speak up, and know when it’s time to leave to find better. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people who are respectful, so I hope to continue to attract that. 

What’s up next for Jes Frances?
I’ll be releasing new music as far as the next upcoming year. So, more music and getting to know me as an artist!

‘Coming Around’ and ‘Lighthouse’ are both out now. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify now.

To keep up with all things Jes Frances you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.