Cherry Grrl recently had the esteemed privilege of talking with Aimee Francis, a rock n’ roll loving, shop-a-holic. If you don’t know her as the 20-year-old Australian transplant with an amazing voice and vibrant personality, you will. Francis has gained traction in the lesbian (and musical) community with performances at Dinah Shore and her self-funded EP is available now.
It’s called “The Calm Before the Storm.”
Cherry Grrl (CG): So, you were born in Australia?
Aimee Francis (AF): Yeah. I was born in Melbourne, in October 1989.
CG: Did you always know you wanted to be a musician? What is the music scene like out there? Where are you now?
AF: Yeah, music has always been “it” for me. I’ve always wanted to do this. The music scene is good. Melbourne is known for being the music capital of Australia, but I have been traveling on and off to America since 2008 to pursue it over there rather than staying in one country. I just released my debut CD there and did a launch for it in May, and now I’m in London.
CG: You have been traveling since a “young” age. Does it ever become exhausting? What’s the road like for an artist?
AF: I’m doing what I love, so I can’t complain. There have been a few bumps in the road (ex-management/labels), but you just have to pick yourself up and push on. It hasn’t been an easy ride.
CG: A lot of artists don’t talk about the business side of the music industry. At what point does being able to make a living become more important than living your dream?
AF: I left my label/management at the end of 2008, flew home and got a day job. I saved up so I could fund the CD and the Californian tour I did last year, and the one coming up. I think you have to kind of make the living TO live your dream until hopefully one day you can make a living LIVING your dream full-time, if that makes sense…
CG: That’s an insight a lot of artists don’t have. It makes complete sense.
AF: I think that’s why a lot of artists don’t get where they want to be. They don’t see that you actually have to work your ass off to get places. Some people are lucky and will get it the easy way, and hey, good on them. But I’m not going to quit on my life’s work because I have to work a few bar shifts, you know? This is IT. I only have one life, so I ain’t wasting it!
CG: Often, it seems like artists are about to give up when they finally get that opportunity that changes things for them. Do you feel like you have to reach that end point before you can create something worthwhile?
AF: I think you just need to put your ass on the line, and believe in your craft. If you haven’t got faith, who will, you know? There’s always going to be slumps, but you just gotta push through them. If you love something enough, you’ll push through the barriers, I think. (continued on next page)
