Having rooted herself in the Southern California music scene, stemming from her Long Beach stronghold, Francesca Valle is preparing to charmingly pry her way into national recognition as she prepares to finish recording her first major studio release, set for January 2010.
Francesca has gained tremendous momentum. She has a cornerstone in the indie art and music community and is now finding her way into a career that transcends labels. Often dubbed a “local celebrity†and relishing in the role of “future rock star,†Francesca’s popularity began in venues in her backyard such as DiPiazza’s of Long Beach, where many music staples, including Weezer, were jumpstarted, and Hollywood’s BB Kings Blues Club, which is owned by the blues icon himself and has housed more legends then can be counted, where she is counted as a staff favorite.
In March 2009, Francesca was a featured performer for the San Diego’s Indie Festival after being asked back for the third consecutive year. This year, she was featured on one of the festivals preferred stages: a poetic milestone for an artist that started in independent coffee shops and is now set to release her final acoustic album; as she graduates to taking on a band and shifts to the role of mainstream rock and roll diva.
With her voice often compared to the like of Janis Joplin, Francesca shrugs and with a humble smile replies, “I get that a lot, but believe it or not, I went to CSULA for 5 years to be an opera singer. If they could see me now….†Equally comfortable singing in small coffee shops as giant stages, Francesca credits her ease with an audience to growing up with a guitar in her hand. “You know how you hear those stories, of artists that starting writing songs when they were five? Yeah, I was one of those kids.†Her early performances in the family living room soon turned into college tours across four continents and sharing stages with Fleetwood Mac and Kenny Rogers as well as performing with world renowned composers Moses Hogan and Erik Whitacre.
Despite her potential in the classical world, Francesca wasn’t content with that path. “I desperately needed an outlet to perform something original, I wasn’t allowed to do that in college, so I started playing in other peoples bands, but that still wasn‘t right. You‘d work so hard to get signed and then one person looses their mind, so the deal gets shelved.†It wasn’t until one of Francesca’s most respected peers Meg Baier, pushed her to open for her at a local nightclub that Francesca even thought of a starting solo project.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be rooted in two Southern California cities really. My fan-base started in Long Beach, but that’s where I met my producer. She approached me while at a local gig and it was like being thrown into another world! Alicia’s studios are based in San Diego, so I just instantly fell in love with the San Diego Indie Music Scene.â€
When asked about writing an artist bio Francesca scoffs, “What are you gonna say?! That I was raised in the city that birthed The Carpenters and Metallica?! Every song I write is about my life, is from my life, tell them to listen to the words!â€
This profile was edited with CustomizeYourSpace Editor