Franana is all about passion and pleasure - intelligent, heartfelt songwriting, conveyed with sincere emotion, infectious enthusiasm and stunning musicality.
This trio of bright young musicians came together in 2004 via the Newcastle University Folk Music Degree, and spent three years performing together and separately in various different ensembles throughout the North East.
In 2007, they joined forces to create Franana: a band which performs beautiful, original songs alongside refreshingly new version of both traditional and contemporary material.
Strongly influenced by lyricists such as Bob Dylan, Josh Ritter and Karine Polwart, Franana's music is strikingly honest, with the ability to stir the emotions just by 'telling it like it is'...
Fran - vocals, song-writing, piano
Fran's growing reputation as a songwriter stems from the idiosyncratic turns-of-phrase and unusual imagery in her lyrics, and she counts acclaimed songwriters such as Karine Polwart, Devon Sproule, Catherine Feeny and Lucy Wainwright Roche amongst fans of her work. Whether passionate and gutsy, or delicate and heart-wrenching, Fran's vocals brim with sympathy for the songs, always relishing her Yorkshire accent with pride.
“There are songwriters whose stunning lyrics weave their messages through your brain. There are singers who practice their craft with such consummate skill and care that you ‘live’ their songs. Fran does both.†- Tim Carroll - www.folkwords.com
Chris Meredith - guitar, fiddle, vocals
Chris Meredith is an accomplished guitarist, and a compelling live performer. Equally talented on the fiddle, Chris excels at conveying his enjoyment of the music to the audience, impressing with his natural ability and relaxed stage banter. He recently supported one of his guitar heroes, John Doyle, in concert at The Sage Gateshead. Chris' playing is sensitive, driving, and toe-tappingly funky.
Amy Thatcher - accordion, fiddle, piano
Amy Thatcher is one of the most outstanding musicians residing in the North East today. A highly skilled performer and composer, Amy was a member of the "Fosbrook Education Trust", and has worked closely with the likes of Karen Tweed and Alistair Anderson. The masterful innovation of Amy's accordion, with its soaring suspensions and addictively groovy bass riffs, really brings the magic to Franana.