Frankie Davies

Frankie Davies- Growing up and listening to country music has left a definite imprint on Frankie’s voice, shaping both her sound and the style of songs she writes. She may be inspired by Country and Americana, but it is her own take on it and not an imitation.

Interview conducted on November 24, 2020

By Dan Locke

A seasoned performer Frankie has toured the UK and Europe with some of the biggest names in Country music including Maddie and Tae, Chris Young, Charlie Worsham, Mo Pitney and Josh Kelley.  Closer to home Frankie has appeared a few times at the UK’s biggest Country Music Festival C2C, toured with the UK Country duo The Shires, and completed her first headline tour in 2017 which included both the UK and Germany.

Track 1 / Home This Year This little song is the title track to the EP and is what a Davies Family Christmas is all about. Everything you want to know about how we celebrate Christmas is here. Home This Year EP is out THIS Friday!

What is your upbringing and how did you discover music?

I grew up on a farm on an island called Jersey in the Channel Islands. It was amazing having so much space as kids to roam and get a bit mucky. I’ve always been drawn to music, my mum used to play music constantly and we were always singing and having dance parties in the living room. When I was about 8 my mum introduced me to the Dixie Chicks and that was it, I was hooked on Country music.

How did you start to write music?

As a kid I would always make up silly songs and endlessly annoy my siblings but I think it was when I first started to play the guitar at 12 that I sat down and wrote a song. I honestly don’t know how or what even my first song was, I just started writing and singing and it (probably) became a song that wasn’t very good but I loved to do it.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

Yes, I do still have it. It’s in Jersey and it’s a Blueridge. It’s quite a tiny bodied guitar cause I was quite a small kid but it still sounds lovely.

What is your guitar of choice now? And does it have a name?

I have a Gibson songwriter studio and I absolutely love it. It’s the perfect guitar for me and no it doesn’t have a name, but maybe now and again I’ll call her my baby. 

What was your first performance like?

I think my first proper performance of my original songs was when I was 16 at a charity concert, I sang to a seated audience of 200 people and it was nerve-wracking but it felt like home and I think from then on, I knew this is all I wanted to do.

What makes a good songwriter?

I think honestly and writing from your heart makes a good songwriter.

How different is country music in the UK then the USA?

It is different but also slowly becoming more and more similar. More Country artists in the USA aren’t using the imagery of cowboy boots and Stetsons. The similarities they’ve always had though is the storytelling through music, that is essentially what Country music is all about.

What was it like to be selected by the BBC to be introduced to Nashville?

It was truly amazing, and such a crazy experience to have and be supported by Bob Harris and the BBC. 

How was the 2016 CMA Festival? What was your biggest highlight of that event?

It was crazy and wonderful, I loved meeting so many new people, discovering new artists and just soaking in the atmosphere. I think my highlight was watching Chris Stapleton in the Nissan Stadium, that was unreal. He is a crazy talented human being.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

I can’t remember the very first song because they have all melted into one memory, but possibly a song called Gracie about my sister going off to university and leaving me at home. I recorded it, but not very well!

Where did you record your video “Superman”?

I recorded Superman in the Jersey Opera House, a beautiful concert venue in Jersey and a place that played a significant role in my musical upbringing.

You have shared the stage with the likes of Maddie and Tae, Chris Young, and Josh Kelley. Did any of them have any words of wisdom for you about the music business?

I spent quite a bit of time with Josh Kelley on the road and he helped me realize I need to stop chasing labels and just do myself and release the music I want to release. He helped me move forward and I’m really grateful for that. 

Tell me about your next single “If I Didn’t Love You”. By the way, congratulations on your new marriage!

Thank you! If I Didn’t Love You is probably one of my favourite songs I’ve released, it is a mellow and heartfelt love song. When I’m listening to it, it takes me back to the day I got married. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling and makes me realize how much we need love, especially when we’re surrounded by so much fear and uncertainty. 

Do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?

Most definitely yes, live performance has been the way that myself and many other musicians make music, without those music venues and the ability to perform to an audience puts trying to make a living pursuing a music career pretty much impossible. So, we will have to adapt and try and make it work by creating more for the time being. 

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine? Have you discovered or rediscovered any hobbies?

I have been doing lots of gardening and DIY, which is something I’ve always loved doing and I love getting stuck into projects as I like to be busy. 

If you couldn’t do music what would you like to be doing?

I think I would still want a creative job; I love sewing and creating clothes and bags so maybe I would head down that route, which I guess could still happen.

Thanks for chatting with me and I hope you like ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ as much as I loved making it.

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