Frances

progress: 14 winner!
joined: January 2008
location: British Columbia, Canada
website: www.reverbnation.com/francesriley
influences: Crazy 70s folk-rock, sweet singing girls with guitars, mysterious romantic stoner tunes

Bio

This is going to be my third FAWM, and I'm looking forward to it hugely. The last two years have been amazing ones in terms of songwriting and performing. I have a song coming out on a commemorative CD celebrating the city of Prince Rupert's 100th anniversary, I got to make a music video, and I think maybe this is the year that Sarah and I do some serious recording. Right, Sarah?!? smile As it is, I'm looking forward to focusing on writing songs again. I'm storing up ideas and little snippets of lyric. Restringing the guitar, and setting up the studio. February first won't come soon enough!

P.S. The guitar I'm holding in my profile picture is the Six String Nation guitar, one built from 63 pieces of Canadian history and heritage -literally. There's part of Paul Henderson's hockey stick in there, part of the deck of the Bluenose, and a piece of a grain elevator from a Dukhabor community in Saskatchewan, for example. I got to hold and play the guitar this summer, and it was amazing. Check it out at www.sixstringnation.com.

Click here to listen to my interview abour FAWM on CBC Daybreak North - thanks to Errol for the mp3 version of the streaming audio!
http://geeklovesongs.com/audio/CBC200922FAWM_Riley.mp3

2010 Songs

1 Tackle the Torch 34 comments // 1 month ago
2 Commonly Misspelled With an "I" 27 comments // 1 month ago
3 Fire in Her Eye 20 comments // 1 month ago
4 Up Past the Snowline 11 comments // 1 month ago
5 No Pussy Cat 20 comments // 1 month ago
6 Work in Progress 4 comments // 4 weeks ago
7 Given the Amount of Rain 9 comments // 3 weeks ago
8 I Get Caught Up 6 comments // 2 weeks ago
9 Strong and Lovely 7 comments // 2 weeks ago
10 Sodium Glow 6 comments // 2 weeks ago
11 Windchimes in the Alley 9 comments // 2 weeks ago
12 A Hard Road 7 comments // 2 weeks ago
13 Bluebird 7 comments // 1 week ago
14 A Little Too Far? 8 comments // 1 week ago

Soundboard

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  • A quick note to thank you for all the nice comments on my songs. Very encouraging and very much appreciated.
  •  Donna 6 days ago
    Frances, thank you for your comment on "Zap My Ukelyrics", and for the link.
    I plan to download the episode you mentioned. wink
  •  Steffan Pitzel 1 week ago
    Thanks for all the love! Sad we didn't get to do any kind of collabing this year, but I was sick and swamped. Next year?
  • Thanks for the comments Frances. I knew you'd get your 14 in the end and they're all quality songs too. Nice work.
  •  John Crossman 1 week ago
    Congrats on the fawm win, Frances! I'll be back to hear more of your wonderful output right after some sleepzzz....
  •  Errol 1 week ago
    Hey Frances! I played your song on the show! big_smile

    http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fawm/2010/03/02/40--the-daily-fawmcast-2010
  • therman 1 week ago
    Thanks, you too. I'm totally ecstatic about finishing fawm. It was tough, but totally worth it.
  •  Calum Carlyle 1 week ago
    hi frances, yes it does have a tune, and a lovely one at that. Here's a recording of it, to give you an idea: http://2singingsisters.com/music/I%20See-the-Moon.mp3 smile
  •  Rob Cooke - Boy@Heart 2 weeks ago
    No problem on the recommended listening post. It was well deserved. You can do it Frances. I know you can and will!
  •  Outasync 2 weeks ago
    Thank you for your comment on "Cardboard and String". I am spoiled, living in the UK I get to hear the Goons regularly on BBC Radio 7. big_smile
  • Evin Wolverton 2 weeks ago
    I'm going to see what I can put together tonight for you to sing on. Got time left in your week?
  • That was really my classroom in the background. smile
  • Laurie Stark 3 weeks ago
    Can I send you a new demo of "If There's a Way" for your lovely harmonies?
  •  Debs 3 weeks ago
    Hi Frances! On the off chance that you get this tomorrow, I'm hosting Charlie's radio show for him and I'd love to play one of your tracks (I'm thinking 'Tackle the Torch). If that's cool, could you email me and let me know, and also post permission here? http://fawm.org/fawmers/charliesradioshow/
  •  kristian 3 weeks ago
    hey and thanks for replying to my forum thread about the Bodhran! So, I normally produce electronica, but I'm using FAWM to test out new ideas and thought I might give irish music a try since I have this melody stuck in my head I need to get out. I'm already collaborating with another FAWMer about the vocals / lyrics (which is pretty much down), but what I need is some good percussion.. as you can hear, I've used some samples and whatnot, but I really need the "human" touch for this tune as it just doesn't sound that well... feel free to give it a shot and see what you think! (of course, other feedback is always welcome as I've never done this kind of song before!).. here's what I have so far (without vocal / melody line) :

    www.octaga.com/freedownloads/irish.wav
  • Laurie Stark 4 weeks ago
    Yes! Harmonies!! I need to re-record my demo at some point, and it would sound so much sweeter with some Frances Riley harmonies!
  •  Balance Lost 1 month ago
    haha, yeah I don't know too many clarinet players. I could help out with some melodica/glockenspiel/stylophone though?
  • Laurie Stark 1 month ago
    Evin played me your Olympics song! So sweet. And so glad to hear you again this year. I've been absentee from FAWM, but I'm working on something now...
  •  Dan Vaillancourt 1 month ago
    Thanks Frances... I had a lot of fun doing the full band recording for that one.
  • Monty 1 month ago
    Thanks for trying to listen to my tune. I apologize for the technical difficulties. You can hear it now at http://fawm.org/songs/1071/ if you're still curious.
  • Evin Wolverton 1 month ago
    Yes please. I'll flag you down when I have a harmonizer (it won't be long). In other news: demo up!
  •  Daddyschu 1 month ago
    Hey-- I really appreciated the comment on Prodigal. Thank you Frances!
  • roddy 1 month ago
    Hey There Frances; thank you for the vote of confidence. It was actually your explanation of FAWM at the original songs nite that got me interested. I have written my first song, and found it infinitely easier than converting it to an MP3 and uploading it to my website!! Any words of advice? cheers, rod If you have time, you can e-mail me at rod@yellowheadbeer.com or give me a call: 600-0371. thx. rod
  •  Girls In Uniform 1 month ago
    Yo! Loving your output this year. If you fancy a bit of a collab, how about this http://fawm.org/songs/1893/ festivally-inspired song? There's a gap for some guitar and girly singing after the third verse...
  •  Daddyschu 1 month ago
    Sorry Frances--- I'm not really a bass player, BUT I bet Devin would lay down a bass line for you though. I listened to that song a couple more times this afternoon--- so cool!!
    Being in Southern California, we have seen our share of economic hardship also with this recession, so your topic really hits home.
  •  G Slade 1 month ago
    Ok, well I need an email to "holla" towards..lol
  • sarah foster 1 month ago
    Wholly Cow! Looks like I'm way behind! I think they should have a separate fawm for shift workers! Like the lyrics to your first song. Good "damn the man" theme. Can't wait to hear it in person. Talk to you soon!
  •  Joel D Canfield 1 month ago
    Nah; rage with your words; they're your best tool. Quiet rage, with biting and incisive words, sung sweetly with a plaintive guitar—best weapon. (Woody's gitbox had written on the front "This machine kills communists"—and he didn't have no distortion . . .)
  • Sean_T_Wright 1 month ago
    Frances - thanks for your kind words.
  • Steven Davies 1 month ago
    Hello Frances. I will have to give it a miss this year. Its out of my control. I will be checking out peoples music and commenting as much as possible so let me know when its up!!!
  • rob barreda 1 month ago
    Hey Frances. Thanks bunches for stopping by and saying hi. I'm really looking forward to hearing what you have this year. I've listened to some of your songs at ReverbNation and love the Grasshopper's Daughter. Really liked your interview, too.

    Agh! 14 hours into FAWM and I've got nuthin'!!!
    I'm a little nervous about not producing a thing. ugh. neutral
  • Monty 1 month ago
    Hi Frances. Looking forward to your FAWM 2010 tunes. I'm going to do my best to finish FAWM again this year.
  •  Simon Waldram 1 month ago
    Breakout year? I don't know about that! I did 13 or 14 songs in a month for 50/90 in 2008 - some good ones too - so if I can match that I'll be very happy. I find it harder to write songs these days, though. I'll keep an eye on your progress. Good luck!
  • Todd Burrows 1 month ago
    Hopefully! Might be just lyrics since I'm away from my guitar this year, but there may be some piano or guest writers. Looking forward to hearing new stuff from you!
  •  Mike Debenham 1 month ago
    Go Frances! Plenty of spare spoons if you need 'em.
  • mctown 1 month ago
    Enjoyed what I heard... David
  •  The Vinyl Flies 1 month ago
    I'm really intrigued by that guitar your holding, and from the picture, I'd say you feel the same! 63 pieces of history...sounds cool.

    Best of luck this coming February!
  • Sean Brown 1 month ago
    Hey, thanks and good luck to you too. I think this is going to be a good year. smile
  •  Joel D Canfield 1 month ago
    Howdy, yet once more. Thinking I might write something just for your voice this year, so I can harmonise with you.
  •  sheilerk 1 month ago
    Thanks for the welcome, Frances. I'll look forward to hearing your songs, and hopefully coming up with a few of my own : )
  •  Rob Cooke - Boy@Heart 1 month ago
    Oooh the esxcitement. I can hardly contain myself! Looking forward to hearing your songs this time round.
  • T.C. Elliott 1 month ago
    Helloooooooooo Franciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis!!!! Thanks for the welcome. I'm looking forward to your new tunes.
  •  Old Lost John 1 month ago
    Thanks, Francis, and best of luck fawming this year!
  •  Roy Estel Hughes 1 month ago
    I feel that buzz coming on, too! Looking sooo forward to hearing what you come up with this year! My studio is now ready... with a few new toys, too...
  •  Valerie Cox 1 month ago
    FAWM excitement IS in the air. I don't know about you, but I feel a song coming on. smile
  •  MAX VANREMMERDEN 1 month ago
    Hi Frances, why isn't that interview on the frontpage? smile
    You're a real FAWMbassador girl.

    I hope FAWM will bring you the goodies you're hoping for this year.
  •  Scott O. Clamp 1 month ago
    Hello, Frances! Glad to see you back.

    Regarding my picture: I was singing backup for my brother-in-law Mike, who records his own backup parts in a wonderful tenor voice. I, however, am a baritone, so the picture could have captured any number of attempts to hit his notes!
  •  Josh Belville 1 month ago
    tenterhooks! I've never heard this phrase before. I am voraciously looking it up now. I love learning new colloquialisms! big_smile (also i can't wait to hear your songs too!)
  • Bootlegger 1 month ago
    hey, oh i'm making big plans for this year's FAWMing adventure.. hopefully something or other will come to fruition. but as always, i'm just up for having some fun!
    I'm pretty excited about hearing what you'll be coming up with as well..
  •  mike skliar 1 month ago
    thanks for the message, the guitar in my profile pix is a baritone-scale national tricone resonator guitar. Interesting info about that six string nation guitar in your profile pix- and speaking of canadian history, a friend of mine, mike ford, (who used to be in the band moxy fruvous) has two very cool albums out about canadian history, you might be interested in checking them out... anyway, happy fawming, see ya here in Feb!
  •  devin 1 month ago
    I'll let my son Calvin know you liked his "pokemon" song...glad you liked it!
  • mcfly 1 month ago
    Hey Frances,
    Thanks for the welcome. Lived in Burnaby, but not living in the province at the moment.....still feels like home though
  •  Balance Lost 1 month ago
    Yo! thanks, and good luck for Feb. I can barely contain myself with the excitement.
  •  Girls In Uniform 1 month ago
    Hey Frances; great interview! Heard it from the link above AND on Charlie's show! Would love to collab on a firey/festy tune. Girly vocals are exactly what I need. Well, MORE girly vocals, anyway.
  • Hannah O'Reilly 1 month ago
    Woot! Looking forward to hearing your results! My chaotic life will either produce some crazy good songs, or some utter crap! Either way, it's all a catharsis. H
  • Evin Wolverton 1 month ago
    I must, I must!
  •  devin 1 month ago
    Hey Frances! I'm looking forward to another great event...do you have a theme in mind, or just following the muse?

    I can't wait until Feb 1 either...two weeks to go!
  •  Jharms 1 month ago
    Thanks! With a bio as impressive as yours, I'm equally excited to see what you have in store.
  •  cts 1 month ago
    Hey there! *hands waving* Frances brand jelly jams are always tasty. And yes, the factory will be available for collaborating. Bring your ingredients and we'll make jelly, too.
  •  Charlie Cheney 1 month ago
    Yay Frances! Please send me a bunch of links to songs I can download so I can play them during the January shows? That would be sweet indeed.
  •  Phil Bearce 1 month ago
    Frances, I'm looking forward to your lovely dulcet tones this February!
  •  Linzi 1 month ago
    Frances, thank you so much smile and I can't wait to hear what you have for us.
    Love the picture and the guitar, very cool indeed!
  •  Karan 1 month ago
    Heya Frances, good to see you back here! smile
  •  John Crossman 1 month ago
    New Frances tunes are good for the soul!
  •  VikkiFlawith 1 month ago
    Hey Frances!
  •  Maeflower 1 month ago
    Frances, I so need your address so I can send you a copy of my CD. I absolutely loooove how Midnight Odyssey turned out, with the beautiful music you wrote for it. Can you drop me an email and I'll send you a copy???? big_smile
  •  Steffan Pitzel 2 months ago
    Hey! Happy (almost) February!
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