Frankie Archer has exploded onto the electrofolk scene with music that transcends stereotypes using a combination of manipulated samples, synths, drum tracks and earthy Northumbrian fiddle and voice to capture her audience. Her aim? To shake up genres and traditions, challenge perspectives and call for a fairer future.
Archer has released a new single “Lovely Joan”. It is a traditional tale, a classic situation of a woman minding her own business when a man comes along and starts hitting on her. It happens a lot in traditional songs, same as in life today, where the man won’t take a hint or won’t take no for an answer. But Joan is smart and bold and manages to escape by tricking him and tearing away on his horse.
Speaking about the track, Archer said: “When I sing “Lovely Joan” I think about all the women and girls today that have been in a situation where they feel uncomfortable at best and are trying to figure out how to safely get out. Men and boys are expected to ‘make the first move’ and this leads to pressuring and persuading. Women and girls are taught not to kick up a fuss, to oblige and not to offend. The parallels between this 100+ year old song and life today make it clear how deeply rooted these problematic gender expectations are.”
Listening to the track you’ll hear glitchy manipulated vocals, heavy distorted riffs, striking war-type drum and soaring fiddle:
A must-see live, Archer has an extensive list of dates coming up this year: headline shows, festivals and high-profile support slots. See below for full details.
Archer debuted at Cambridge Folk Festival playing emerging talent stage The Den in 2023 and won the prestigious Christian Raphael Prize, which aims to help an outstanding new artist progress her career. Since then, Frankie has been featured on ‘Later… With Jools Holland’ and championed by tastemakers at BBC Radio 2 and 6Music.
“Extraordinary” Jools Holland
“Fascinating and intoxicating” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2
Following the release of her debut EP ‘Never So Red‘ (November, 2023), she has supported the likes of The Futureheads and The Last Dinner Party. With her unique live set turning heads wherever she goes, Frankie is quickly establishing herself as “one to watch” in the alternative/roots space.
Upcoming Live Dates:
May 4th – Bristol Folk Festival
May 7th – Edinburgh Tradfest
May 10th – Lost in the Hills Festival
May 11th – Whitchurch Folk Festival
May 12th – Bournemouth, The Wight Bear (SOLD OUT)
May 18th – Leeds, Headrow House
May 19th – New Mills, Spring Bank Arts Centre
May 21st – Stroud, Ruskin Mill
May 24th – Stamford Arts Centre
May 25th – A Stone’s Throw Festival
May 26th – Knockengorroch Festival
June 7th – London, Grand Junction
June 8th – Brighton, Komedia
June 13th – Knutsford Music Festival
June 28th – Exile Music Festival
June 30th – Glastonbury Festival
July 6th – Timber Festival
July 27th – Deer Shed Festival
July 28th – Cambridge Folk Festival
August 24th – Northgate Folk Festival
September 1st – Moseley Folk & Arts Festival
September 23rd – Newcastle, O2 City Hall (Supporting The Last Dinner Party)
October 16th – London, Eventim Apollo (Supporting The Last Dinner Party)
For further information please visit:: frankiearchermusic.com
