The supremely talented up-and-coming singer-songwriter Olivia Frances will look to add another award to her already impressive collection of accolades. Musical from a young age, Frances started playing piano at age six and composed her first song on guitar at age 12. Her dedication from such young age has paid off by having written over 300 songs. Frances credits Fleetwood Mac, Bon Iver and Kacey Musgraves as her musical inspirations.
This month, Music Resource Group announced the Nominees for The 18th Annual Independent Music Awards (IMAs). Nominations in 100+ Music, Video and Design categories were awarded to an eclectic roster of established and emerging talent from around the globe.
Frances is nominated in the Story Song Category for “The Bee & the Rose” a sweeping, environmentally-driven song off Orchid (2019), her latest bouquet of songs and stories. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette describes the album as “irrepressibly sweet — and eminently likable.” Written with the talented Nashville-based songwriter Michael Astrachan and produced by the distinguished Pat Lassiter, “The Bee & the Rose” reminds listeners of the natural beauty of the world and uses it on stage as a catalyst to discuss the current bee crisis.
Frances is no stranger to the Independent Music Awards. In 2018, she won the VOX Pop Love Song Category and the awards ceremony took place at Lincoln Center. Frances is a multi-award-winning artist, placing 1st in the Singer-Songwriter Category at the 2018 New England Songwriting Competition and winning Best Pop Song of the Year at the 2017 Ohio Music Awards.
Musical legends Lucinda Williams, Steven Van Zandt, Ellis Paul and Jonatha Brooke are nominated alongside Frances. The winning projects will be selected by influential judging panels including: Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan, Robert Smith, Ziggy Marley, KT Tunstall, and many more indie creatives, top recording artists and industry influencers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The 18th annual Independent Music Awards ceremony originally scheduled for June in New York City will proceed as an online showcase for this year’s top-ranked artists and music projects. Now in its 18th year, The Independent Music Awards honors artistry and daring rather than streams and social reach, and celebrates everything that makes indie music authentic and unique.
Get on down to The Trolley Stop on Saturday, November 23rd as Cincinnati’s own, Queen City Silver Stars are bringing their original music that crosses over genres, rooting their sound in world rhythms while using homegrown songwriting techniques creating what they call “a midwest mind with a Caribbean soul.” No matter what part of the world the musical inspiration comes from…it gives you the island vibes that everyone needs!