How did you get started?
I started learning the piano at the age of four and began singing lessons at 11 or 12. I have always performed in competitions for my music teachers. I began performing at pubs and events at the age of 16 or 17. I met Sam Wale (ALIBI’s VP and Head of Production) when we were teenagers, and over the years we have become great friends. Back then, he was a fan of my band and used to come to our gigs a lot. When he started working with ALIBI, he got in touch with me about doing some vocal work for them. The rest is history!
Please list your top credits.
for Netflix documentary series “The Lost Pirate Kingdom” for YouTube Original series “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” featuring music from ALIBI’s album, a collection of 10 instrumental piano tracks that I composed for “The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series”NextGen America’s “Dear World” Climate Change
In-content song,
, featured in Season 8 of MTV series, “Are You the One"What types of genres do you work in most?
Anything that is classified as pop and the sub-genres that come within that. It’s all about the catchy hook!
What is your favorite track for ALIBI?
I love all of them! You always get a buzz when you crack the track and it all slots into place! My favourite tracks are usually the ones I had the most fun working on. I really like it when I get to collaborate with good friends. For example, I’ve worked with Sam on a number of tracks and always enjoy getting to hang out and bounce ideas around with him.
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
I love singers like Eva Cassidy and Whitney Houston because they were so diverse and could transform their voices effortlessly from being beautifully delicate to soulful powerhouses. There’s so much you can learn as a singer from really listening to how they utilise their voices. In a more modern context, I have always admired Calvin Harris, who I think is an awesome producer and songwriter. I also really like Dua Lipa’s songs. I think she’s a great songwriter.
What makes your work unique?
I’d say I’m pretty diverse. I’ve written in a huge variety of genres: pop, folk, EDM, swing, heavy metal and ethereal/classical! I think that’s really important in this kind of business. You need to be adaptable because the industry and the tastes of listeners are both constantly evolving.
Tell us one surprising thing people wouldn’t know about you.
I have a law degree from Cambridge University and I was in a heavy metal band with Dani Filth, called Devilment, for four years.
Your funniest/strangest music experience.
In my old band, we submitted a song for England for the FIFA World Cup to BBC Five Live national radio. They loved it so much that they played it live on air and then sent down a broadcasting crew to have us perform it live from the studio in my home town. It was totally random and really great fun.
Why do you like working with ALIBI?
Everybody I have worked with has been really decent, from composers to the people running the organization itself. It is a bonus that I get to work with a lot of my friends, as well a diverse range of composers from the US and the UK, who I wouldn’t ordinarily get to work with. Jonathan has also always made a big effort to get to know the UK team – he’s visited the UK team a bunch of times and is really decent and down to earth, which I think are rare and important qualities in a boss.
Any words of advice to share with artist hopefuls?
Always push yourself to adapt and be better, and try not to get stuck in rigid ideas of what your style or music should be. In this kind of business, you really need to be able to reflect objectively on what you are creating and be ready to scrap something completely if it isn’t up to scratch, without taking it personally. I am never precious about things I write. I often write more than one topline or hook and keep pushing until I find something I’m really happy with. If you are writing for clients, it has to be about what they want, so it’s not quite the same as writing something deeply personal.
How can people follow your work (website/Spotify/social channels)?
Lauren Francis Music – you can find me on
, , and (@laurenfrancismusic)
