Olivia Frances
An artist's success comes from the team they build around them. Indie artist Olivia Frances built a team as unstoppable as her spirits to spearhead a solid year of success. Thanks to the connections and resources at HOME, this is only the beginning of her journey . . .
As a musician,
it’s important to “practice as you play,” as they say. But I was living in a studio apartment before I joined HOME in 2019, so it was difficult for me to practice as loudly as I wanted to. In the rehearsal room at HOME, I could turn it up all the way and jam out without worrying about my neighbors—that’s what first appealed to me to join. Plus, the mirror in that rehearsal room helps perfect live performance.
And even though I was connecting with other songwriters by going out to different writers’ rounds at Belcourt Taps, Alley Taps, etc., I wasn’t really meeting other producers in town who could help me record specifically demos.
I have a producer who I’ve been working with for several years, who is my go-to guy when I’d like to record and release full band songs. So, I was looking for someone with a specific skill set.
That’s when Logan and Banks introduced me to a HOME Producer named Scott Griffin. Scott and I have worked really well together—it’s been such a blessing to get to know him.
Scott Griffin helped me with a song pivotal to my career.
Back in February/March, I wrote a song at HOME with my talented friend Margie Hauser. Margie is based in LA and Cincinnati. We connected because we both went to school at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati, the city where I was born and raised. However, one night when she spent time in Nashville, we wrote a song called “Breathing Room” in HOME Studio B. She played the piano while I played the guitar; in the span of 3 hours, we finished the song! Of course, she wanted me to demo the song, so I immediately contacted Scott to get together and record it in HOME Studio A.
After Scott and I recorded the demo, Margie sent the song to a top music executive in LA. For a while, the song was on hold with a major label artist who had over a million followers on Spotify!
During the time it was on hold we were like, “Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to hear back. I hope the song gets cut! That would be so cool…”
Finally in June 2021, Margie heard back from the executive, and he said that the artist had shifted more emo with her sound. So they ended up not cutting the song.
BUT! At the end of the day, as an indie artist who is unsigned, has no booking agency, no concrete team...it was incredible to have my song go all the way to the top, to have it sit there, and to have the validation of the head of a major label saying, “I love this song! I want to pitch it to an artist I know”. I believed in the song before Margie sent it to a major record label, and now I am certain that it’s a song that can really do big things. Although I wish the story ended with, “So the song got cut, and now it’s on the radio…” As an indie artist to get that far along is still a really big accomplishment, and it’s all because of HOME.
before “Breathing Room”, I had an insightful mentoring session with Logan.
In Fall 2020, he and I sat down and had a discussion to boil down my purpose and who I am as an artist. Logan taught me that I should be able to align every single action with my mission and values as an artist. I had never thought of doing that before! It took a while for me to boil down and brainstorm my artist mission and purpose; it’s not something you think of overnight. But that discussion with Logan really helped clarify what I’m doing and who I am. I’m very thankful for Logan as a mentor—he has so much to offer and a wealth of knowledge about the music business. He is a visionary, and I honestly think being connected to him—and Banks, of course—is a blessing and a reason in itself to join HOME!
It felt like impeccable timing for Banks and Logan to step in when they did, in order to help me refine who I am as an artist and connect me with Scott to record demos.
Since then, I’ve performed at Cheyenne Frontier Days, which is the world’s largest rodeo in Cheyenne, WO. I played six shows on their side stages. Some of the headliners were Marren Morris, Kim Brown, Garth Brooks...a few really big acts. And I got that opportunity in Nashville through Ty Warner, who organized all the shows. I’m so grateful for his support, and he’s actually a HOME Member now.
Exciting updates since my original interview…
I’m thrilled to share new updates! In March of 2022, I released my latest single, “Somebody’s Reason.” It’s a piano-driven, strings-lifted reminder to listeners that they are deeply, deeply loved. Since its release, I’ve been contacted by a record label, a management company, and a publishing company- all of whom found me on TikTok! I’m so grateful for these opportunities. I’m in the beginning stages of a trial period with the management company as they pair me with different writers to work.
In addition, I announced my 15-show tour from Tennessee to Wyoming - which I’m in the midst of! It’s been an absolute blast being on the road, meeting new people and seeing old friends. Next up: Cheyenne, WY! I’ll be playing some shows with fellow Homie Ty Warner. We’ll be celebrating the release of our single, “Love is Everywhere” produced by fellow Homie Scott Griffin. I am really excited to get back out to the West Coast! And I look forward to releasing new music soon.
What’s cool about HOME is…
Logan, Banks, and the rest of the team are so receptive to new ideas. Anytime I make a suggestion, they’re always supportive. When you’re part of HOME, they really genuinely want HOME to be worthwhile for you. They want HOME to help you with your needs and to get you where you can see and feel career growth as an artist. They really do care, and it’s nice to know they want the best for you.
HOME is unique in the sense that its focus is on honing your craft as an artist and as a producer. As an artist, to have a space to rehearse, to have networking opportunities, and to have different events that Logan puts on—like publisher nights, TV and film/sync live streams—that access to everything HOME provides is valuable.