Priya Francis
Photo credit: Tessa Aldridge
Australian singer/songwriter Priya Francis has released her latest single “Jeans”.
Written by Francis herself and produced by Jarrod Hambleton, the acoustic r&b single is about growing and evolving at the end of a relationship.
“I really wanted to write a song about growing up, how growing apart is such a natural part of it, and how incredibly okay that is,“ says Francis.
With this new release, the Melbourne-based artist is continuing to create soulful records while writing and singing from a place of honesty and freedom.
“Jeans” is now available on major streaming platforms.
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My story is quite a boring one to be honest. I'm a singer and songwriter from Melbourne, Australia and I've been making my own music since I was about 12, though I've been singing for a lot longer than that. I grew up doing a lot of school musicals, started with poetry then moved to writing a lot of music, performed heaps as a little kid and over the past few years I've recently finished my degree, focusing on music and the crazy industry that surrounds it. I've essentially tried the hardest I can to ensure that nearly every aspect of my life is connected to music in some way, whether that be what I study or what I do for work.
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a great mix of music. My Dad showed me a lot of funk and disco and was always enthusiastic when I moved towards RnB and soul singers like Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, while my Mum always loved incredible songwriters like Norah Jones. I also had cousins who I listened to a bunch of hip hop and early 2000s RnB with, so all of those kind of shaped the music I love today and the music I create.
Do you remember the first record you've ever bought?
I only recently got a record player last year when some of my lovely friends bought me one for my 21st birthday, but the first record I bought myself for it was a Jim Reeves record that I found at an op shop. It was one of the first ones I saw, and my nan and my mum love him, so I snagged it, and the first one I set out to buy brand new was Matt Corby's Rainbow Valley album.
Growing up, what were your favorite records to sing along to?
The ones that come to mind straight away are Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey, which is a bit different to what I’m singing along to at the moment, but they were great singers to learn from and they’re still hands down some of my favourite vocalists ever.
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
I think I started writing properly around the age of 12. I had a singing teacher who was amazing at encouraging me to bring my own lyrics to my classes and really pushed me to challenge myself so I’d definitely boil it down to him and his influence on me as a musician.
What gave you the confidence to become an artist and release your original music?
I think it just seemed like the obvious step after I’d written quite a few songs and recorded them all with my teacher. I properly released an EP when I was only 14 or so, which I think is super early, but it was a great experience to be included in literally aspect of the process and see how possible it was for my music to be released and out there for people to hear.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
Aside from my parents, I’d have to say my singing teacher again. He definitely saw the direction I was heading in far sooner than I did and he was an incredible mentor for me, especially being young and not really having any other role models doing what it was I wanted and want to do.
"Jeans" is your new single - what's the story/Inspiration behind this song?
The inspiration behind that song is a situation I was finding myself in, and one I think other people could probably relate to, where you come to the end of a friendship or relationship, but there’s no hard feelings or argument that really ends it.
When did you write this song? How was it like to collaborate with Jarrod Hambleton on this song?
I wrote this song around the start of 2019, and Jarrod and I have been working on it since then. Collaborating with Jarrod is always one of the easiest and challenging processes ever, in the best way possible. We both push each other just enough and we’re pretty equally matched in the level of perfection we expect from the other, which makes it a really good working relationship.
What did you feel when writing this single?
I think I felt relieved, because it was me putting into words something that properly stressed me out for quite a while. A lot of relief. I think I was also pretty proud of how upfront and straightforward I was in this song.
What's your favorite thing about this song?
Aside from the production which isn’t a surprise because Jarrod always blows me away, I think it’s possibly the lyrics. I love the metaphor and analogy of growing out of a friendship the way you might grow out of jeans, and I was just very proud when the line came out.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
Honestly, it was something super quick. I knew I wanted it to be super simple, so I literally just got my sister to come into my room and stand on my bed to take a bunch of photos and from there, it was just a matter of getting it onto my computer to edit. Although I think, as easy and as quick as the process was, it might be one of my favourite covers so far.
What does it mean for you to be an artist?
I think for me it’s just having the creative freedom to share music and lyrics with people, whether that’s on my own or collaborating. I’ve loved how much I’ve collaborated over these last few months, and I’d love if I could make music and live a comfortable life because of it.
What's the hardest part about being an artist? And what is the best part?
I personally really dislike how little credit artists get in regards to art and music being their careers and their serious pursuits. I spent a lot of time when I was younger being asked about my ‘back-up plan’ or being gently coerced into looking into other avenues to make a living from, and I think a lot of people who just wanna make music would be able to relate to that.
The best part for me is literally just the music and the responses it gets from people. Sending one of my best friends a link to a new song is one of my favourite things to do, as scary as it sometimes is, and getting people who message me about them listening to my songs or sending me a screenshot of my songs on their Spotify Wrapped is the best feeling.
Who are some of your current favorite songwriters?
There’s a lot. I’ve loved YEBBA for the longes time, but I’ve been listening and singing a ton of her songs recently, Sasha Keable, Jon Bellion, Loyle Carner. Amine released his album LIMBO recently and that has some insane songwriting on it in my opinion, and I always go back to Lauryn Hill at least once a week.
What major life lesson have you learned so far?
My city’s been in lockdown for over 4 months, so it’s easily, to not waste time. I think the biggest life lesson I’ve learnt, or what I’ve taken out of this horrible situation, is how little time and capacity we have to give to people and situations who don’t serve us or who don’t return the energy you give them. It’s such a waste of time.
What are your thoughts on today's global situation and on the Black Lives Matter movement?
I get incredibly worked up and vocal about the BLM movement. It’s currently the biggest movement in the world, for good reason, because of how global it is, and how strongly felt it is all over the world. Here in Australia so much of what’s happening in the USA is applicable to the treatment of our Aboriginal and Indigenous communities, so I’m super passionate about it, and I get angry when people don’t recognise the privilege in learning and hearing about racism and prejudice rather than it being their lived experience. I could speak on this topic for hours.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Empathy. Lots and lots of empathy.
What message do you want to give to the world?
Recognise and understand your view of the world and just as equally, how the world views you. Listen to good music, give your time and energy to the people that actually matter to you and wear a mask!
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