With a voice rooted in nature, folk and pop and a mission centered on love, joy and connection with the environment, award-winning singer-songwriter Olivia Frances is carving out a bright place for herself in the world of independent music. Her single “Breathing Room” won gold at the WAM Awards and received GRAMMY® consideration, while her heartfelt performances took her from the Bluebird Café to a dream-come-true appearance at the Kennedy Center. Known for her authenticity, optimism, and deep connection to nature, Frances is set to elevate her artistry even further with an upcoming EP due in early 2026.
I sat down with Olivia to talk about the stories behind her most meaningful songs, the mentors who shaped her, and what fans can expect from her next chapter.
For Olivia Frances, nature is not only a source of inspiration; it’s the heartbeat of his music. She explains: “Music is our universal language and nature is our greatest healer. We all breathe the same air, drink the same water and have a deep desire to nourish ourselves and others. My love of nature began when I was very young. Spending time outside has always made me feel more centered and grounded in the present moment.” Many of her songs are inspired by the beauty of the world around us, whether it’s “Wind Chimes”, “Labyrinth” or “Orchid”. On stage, she carries that same grounded presence, connecting deeply with her audience.
The highlights of Frances’ career began very early. Reflecting on her 2014 Ohio Music Awards win for “Back to Happiness,” she shared, “It was the first award I ever won. I remember being a senior in high school and feeling like that was my cue to defer my studies after I graduated and take a gap year in Nashville. I’m so glad I did. I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Nashville was definitely an easier city to navigate back then I made lifelong friends and was able to learn the ropes from the start.
Her win at the 2018 Independent Music Awards for “Moon to My Sun” was another milestone. She recalls, “I won ‘Moon to My Sun’ when I was a student at Clark University in Worcester, MA (another nature-inspired song). I vividly remember being in the library writing a paper when I got the email that it was nominated. I jumped up and down and silently screamed. On the simplest level, when I won, it really felt like a sign from the universe that I was on the right path The music industry is so tough, and sometimes winning an award just serves as an affirmation to keep going.
Olivia’s early experiences included internships that shaped her career. “I interned for the Great American Song Contest for about a month in 2016. I helped conduct outreach to various environmental organizations for a specific song contest they were hosting. It was pretty cool!” She also interned at Infinity Cat Recordings during her gap year in Nashville. “I learned a lot during this internship, from how to properly ship records to selling merchandise at shows. I really got to see how a label works, which was really eye-opening. It gave me a better understanding of what people in the industry do on a daily basis (which is a lot!).”
Olivia isn’t afraid of the realities of being an independent artist. “As a performing artist, you wear almost all the hats in the music industry all the time: protecting your songs like a lawyer, designing merch like a graphic designer, finding outfits to perform like a stylist, creating content like a social media specialist, and so much more. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, the financial return on investment is often low for many years. But because I really love it and all the ups and downs that come with it, it’s all worth it. For me, it’s all part of the journey.
His approach to music is based on joy and positivity. “I believe that spreading love and positivity makes the world a better place. I’ve always been one to see the glass half full and believe that, in some way, it’s a special talent. Often, I’m the one my artist friends come to when they want to write a happy song. Now, that’s not to say that all of my songs are happy, but I like to approach performance and songwriting through the lens of joy.”
Collaboration has also played a key role in its growth. Reflecting on her work with songwriters Kevin So and Billy Lee, she said, “Kevin is a super talented songwriter and artist. I’m grateful to be in his orbit. It’s a good reminder to reach out to him, because it’s been too long since we connected! Billy Lee is family. We met in 2014 and I remember being so amazed that I had the chance to meet a #1 hit songwriter. Since Then he really took me under his wing. We wrote songs together, shared meals together and he invited me to be a special guest on several stages, including at the Listening Room Cafe and the Bluebird Café. Having his support and encouragement meant everything to me.
Olivia also teased her next release. “As artists, I feel like it’s our job to continue to evolve in every way: sonically, lyrically, artistically, etc.… Songs are for sharing! » The EP, scheduled for January-February 2026, was produced by Dan Knittel at Anthemic recordings and features collaborations with Christiana Alaire, Sam Gyllenhaal and Patrick Dodge. “Artistically, these songs still live in the Nature-Folk-Pop world I’ve been operating in lately, but they’re perhaps more focused on love and vulnerability than my previous releases. I went through my catalog of songs and selected these because I truly believe in them, and it was a disservice to the world to keep them to myself.”
Performance highlights come in many forms. Reflecting on Cheyenne Frontier Days, she said, “Performing at Cheyenne Frontier Days is definitely memorable. I had never been to a rodeo before, and I was there at the ‘Daddy of Em All.’ a crowd of 5 people or 500 people, I always make sure I give it my all.
There is a lightness and sincerity to Olivia Frances that shines through her music and her mission. With songs inspired by nature, human connection and the search for joy, she has received accolades ranging from Best Pop Song of the Year at the Ohio Music Awards to a WAM Award Gold win for “Breathing Room,” a song that even earned GRAMMY® consideration. Her journey has taken her from a formative gap year in Nashville to unforgettable stages like the Kennedy Center, all while remaining grounded in kindness, creativity, and a deep love for her craft.
Many thanks to Olivia Frances for this exclusive interview with Social lifestyle magazine! We can’t wait to see her in concert in Nashville or wherever her next show takes us!
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Photo: Erika Rock