Fran Smith
Wakefield, England, United Kingdom | SELF
Music
Press
Wow Fran! Sounds GREAT!! I love coming to listen to your songs!! - singer and songwriter, sister of Rufus and Martha
Fran is a blossoming singer/songwriter, subtle and witty; similarly her perfomance is bright and refreshing. - FATEA Magazine
This is a new artist who deserves to be huge. [...]Fran Smith is something to hear...she's entirely unique. - The Sprout
Lovely songs. Really lovely. - singer and songwriter from Virginia, US
There’s a stark, poignant beauty and a wealth of emotion and maturity in Fran Smith’s Yorkshire-accented singing. - The Living Tradition Magazine
Fran Smith’s songs stand alone as lyrical works of Art.
[...]
Exquisitely crafted lyrics, delivered in her deliciously undisguised Yorkshire dialect, allow Smith's evocative voice plenty of room to swoop and soar against a backdrop of sparse beauty. - folkwords.com
It was an absolute pleasure, Fran - you were brilliant and the audience loved you!" - venue programmer
It’s really exciting to discover a songwriting talent as intelligent and insightful as Fran Smith, who knows how to sing her own stories with such conviction and grace. - Twice winner of Best Original Song at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
Discography
Fran Smith's 2011 live EP - recorded at The Sage Gateshead in front of an audience of 400 people - is available to stream and download from her official website: http://www.fransmith.com
Her new CD - produced by Nigel Stonier - is due for release in May 2012.
BBC Radio 2's Whispering Bob Harris has already pre-ordered his personal copy - have you?!
Photos
Bio
Fran Smith is a superb singer-songwriter and pianist from Yorkshire. Possessing a rare vocal talent and an engaging stage presence, she is emerging as one of 2012's most exciting young performers.
Fran's song-writing is distinctive, strikingly honest and enduringly romantic. Imagine the lyrical prowess of Laura Marling delivered with the passion of Martha Wainwright and the dark melodic beauty of Antony and the Johnsons.
Fran's ever-expanding fanbase includes the likes of Thea Gilmore, Karine Polwart, Boo Hewerdine, and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and it's easy to see why. She is a compelling and professional performer who will add value to any programme or festival line-up.
Fran has recently supported Joan As Police Woman, Kill It Kid, Po’ Girl, Krystle Warren and Boo Hewerdine, in venues ranging from The Sage Gateshead to Nottingham’s Glee Club. She will play numerous festivals in 2012, following last year’s successful gigs at Truck Fest, Musicport, Gate to Southwell, Nantwich Words & Music, Wakefield Folk Festival, and MadFest.
She has been featured on BBC Radio Leeds, and was the first musician personally invited to curate and perform an evening of live music at Yorkshire’s prestigious new art gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield.
She is currently working with esteemed producer Nigel Stonier on her début CD, due for release in Spring 2012.
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