Grieving and Healing - Francesca’s ‘Forgotten’
We’ve written about Hertfordshire-based singer/songwriter Francesca before. She released her debut single ‘If You Stay’ in March 2020 with her follow-up coming that July entitled ‘Poison Boy’. After spending much of 2020 writing and recording, Francesca kicked off 2021 by releasing her third single called ‘You’re No Good’.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Francesca recorded a special set of songs to be broadcast on BBC Introducing Beds, Herts and Bucks presented by Danny Fullbrook. Francesca recently made a heartfelt return to the stage at The Moustache Bar in London and has now released her fourth single entitled ‘Forgotten’.
Produced by George Rose, who worked on Francesca’s previous singles, ‘Forgotten’ is more synth-pop than before. The stripped-down introduction begins immediately with Francesca’s vocal, accompanied by a synthesizer while a softer pad keyboard plays the bassline. With the expanse of the synth buzzing and reverberating, the styling of the voice stays true to the lyric, close and intimate:
“Laying here, losing my head, wondering who might be in your bed? ‘Cause when I close my eyes, you’re all I dream of…”
At the conclusion of this opening section, the song steps up with programmed percussion while the bassline and synth are a mainstay. The music production isn’t complicated by overuse of MIDI plug-ins - putting Francesca at the centre of Forgotten.
What you mustn’t underestimate is the attention to the vocal detail Francesca puts in her arrangements. Forgotten is full of interesting backing vocals, from wordless choral chants, to 1960’s ‘ba-ba-ba’ accompaniment, to the array of harmony layers reinforcing the lead. I would love to see a full a cappella live performance of this song that highlights all these parts. I wouldn’t begin to know how many vocalists would be needed to replicate it in its entirety. I’m naturally drawn to repeat listens of Forgotten simply because I want to catch more of what this song has to offer.
In this musical landscape, Francesca has written how she really feels, but together with George Rose has made something you can dance to. How often are listeners crying out for lyrics that mean something whilst still craving music that puts a smile on your face? Well, Francesca has done both.
1. Your latest single 'Forgotten' shows yet another angle to your songwriting, what kicked off the writing to that? Was it composed on piano?
I started writing Forgotten back in the first lockdown in summer 2020. It was a unique writing process for me, as usually I would have to spend some time figuring out the production after laying down the chords and vocals. With this track the chords came to me first, but as I played them out on piano I could hear the full arrangement unfolding in my mind before I'd written any lyrics... It was kind of overwhelming actually, I couldn't get everything down on Logic fast enough! The lyrics are about the post-breakup "grieving process", and all of the questions that go through your mind during that healing period. Forgotten touches on denial, resentment, pining and finally acceptance. It's quite raw and personal lyrically, but I juxtaposed the emotional narrative with a summery upbeat electropop arrangement which I think really works. It's 100% my favourite release yet!
2. For this track, you're back working with producer George Rose. Was the approach similar to your previous singles?
The approach to this track was similar to Poison Boy in the sense that we had to do all the production sessions remotely due to COVID, we were however able to record the vocals together in my home back in April. We had to get very creative with the setup with a makeshift vocal booth made out of towels, blankets and a clothes rail. All fun and games, but we made it work!
3. When recording vocals, is there still a level of stage-fright? The red light illuminates and suddenly the pressure is on, or are you more relaxed about these things now?
I wouldn't call it stage-fright perse, but there is definitely always a big element of perfectionism whenever I'm recording - I want every take to sound perfect (I know, so realistic) and I often get frustrated with myself for making mistakes. I have to consciously loosen up to really feel what I'm singing about, but all the tracks I've put out so far have included those moments where I allow myself to let go. It just takes me a while to get there!
4. I love the artwork for Forgotten, who put that together?
Emily Knight commissioned the artwork for me, she is so talented and is really passionate about her projects - I loved working with her on this and she's done an amazing job!
5. You previously put out a video for 'Poison Boy'. Is there one coming for Forgotten too?
Sadly not, however I am planning on shooting a music video for my next release. Watch this space!
6. You recently played at the Moustache Bar, how did that gig go?
The high from my debut last year was really short-lived due to the pandemic, so like every other artist I resorted to playing and writing in my bedroom. Getting on stage and pouring my heart out after doing that for over a year was completely surreal - seeing actual PEOPLE for the first time in so long, let alone watching them drink beer and sing my songs back to me... I was so emotional I got choked up during a song!
7. In the past few months, you've created a TikTok account and have been posting there, is TikTok a good app for musicians to promote themselves? Are there ways you think it could be improved?
What I like about TikTok is that it doesn't take itself too seriously, so much so that it almost makes a mockery of Instagram - where everything has to be just so... There's a lot more room on TikTok for taking the piss out of yourself and just having fun with your art. It's incredible to see how many songs have blown up on there, and I do think it's definitely worth artists utilising it to promote their music - but like every other app I would suggest taking it with a grain of salt.
8. It's great to see you posting snippets of original music there too, could 'Temporary Lovers' see a release at some point?
I have a couple of tracks up my sleeve that are all jazz-influenced, Temporary Lovers being one of my favourites - I would love to release them as a body of work at some point!
9. We're now over halfway through 2021, will you be playing more gigs this year? Could there be some more music too?
I will be moving to London this Autumn, so I plan on playing shows more frequently and collaborating with other artists. My goal for this year is to put out an E.P, so plenty more music to come, too!
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Francesca’s music is available to download and stream in all the usual places.
Follow Francesca on Facebook @franmarsalamusic, @francescamarsala on Instagram and on Twitter @f_marsala.
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