About Me

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Francesca Lee is a San Francisco based singer-songwriter specializing in Introspective Dream Pop. Think Fiona Apple meets Jeff Buckley. Merging elements of Folk, Jazz Pop, Electronica and Indie Rock, she is currently recording her debut album ' The Pieces Left'. It is set for release April of 2009. Her single 'Paper Hearts' is available on iTunes. For more information please visit my official artist web-site at http://www.francescaleemusic.com.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

So It Begins

It's been a while since my last post. I figured this would be a good time to update everyone on how the album is coming along and any additional news.

So we've set a timeline now for the album! The album will be finished no later then the last day of March 2009. Unfortunately I've decided not to name the album Paper Hearts. It's a bummer because I really do love that album title. I found out that there was an artist out there that had a similiar title to the one that I was planning on calling my album. I'm bouncing around the idea of calling it "The Pieces Left." It still works with my whole theme of Paper Hearts so I think it just may work.

We have all the electric guitars finished. My guitarist and partner Jeff Johnson finished those last week. I have all the main vocals done, just a few harmonies and additional things I'd like to put on the songs which reminds me that it may not be a bad idea to work on those sometime today. However we're in mixing mode now which is good.

In March will finish up on all the mastering and design for the album.

I have Julie Schuchard who is doing the photography and design for the album.
She also runs an indie label here in San Francisco called Tricycle Records.
I'm really glad to have her on board. One of the things that is really fun about recording your own album is all the great people you meet along the way.

So the count down begins. I have a ton of planning to do and am trying to get my head around how all this stuff will fall in to place. So that's where I'm at now for the moment.

I had a great (Yule) Christmas. Stayed home with Jeff and enjoyed some good food.
Yesterday I did a little after (Yule) Christmas shopping. I bought myself these really cute butterfly hairpins, shimmery arm warmers, and a beautiful red lipstick at the Mac Boutique here in San Francisco. Yes, I'm a girly girl!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

LATEST NEWS NOV.8TH

So I wanted to take this time to let everyone know about some of the things I've been up to most recently. First off I want to really get the word out about my new song "Paper Hearts" which actually happens to be the name of my album that I'm currently working on. It's an utempo single that I've released digitally. If I can reccomend any one of my songs for your ipod I most defintely give this one the thumbs up. The song is currently available through SNOCAP AND NAPSTER UK - Reverb Nation is your one stop shop for Francesca Lee music. Check out my music store at
http://www.reverbnation.com/francescalee

"Paper Hearts" will also be added to the Rumblefish roster very soon and will be available for licensing. More on that later.

I'm back in the studio on Monday. Jeff and I are working hard to keep the full length record moving along.

Some other news. I've been singing on another musical project as well. George Cole who played on previous Chris Issak albums has a band here in the Bay area. Acoustic gypsy jazz style music) I've been the newest addition to his band as a vocalist.
The band will be performing on Dec. 4th at The Freight and Salvage. All the songs are writtin by George Cole.If you'd like to have some fun and to see some exceptional jazz musicians perform live Visit my ReverbNation page for details, map to the Freight http://www.reverbnation.com/francescalee

Thursday, November 6, 2008

A NEW GENERATION

I woke up yesterday morning thinking it was all a dream. Obama really is our president! I can't express how much joy this brings to me. Check out http://www.michaelmoore.com/ he has some really cool things to say on the topic and video clips from the party outside the White House last Tues. night.

This brings me so much hope especially for musicians and other people of the arts.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

FRANNY'S THYME FRITATA/CHEAP EATS FOR MUSICIANS/HERBAL REMEDIES FOR SINGERS

My guitarist and husband Jeff always loves it when I make Thyme Fritata's for lunch or dinner. I've heard that people in Spain eat it as a light dinner sometimes. What's great is that it's cheap, taste's great, and looks like something you'd get at a trendy bistro. What's even better is that the herb Thyme is great for soothing a cough and soar throat when you're sick. As a vocalist I'm always looking for ways to soothe my voice and I found that Thyme is pretty awesome. I'm happy to say that I have gotten over that nasty cold I had for the past three days. Below are three cool recipes using Thyme. Two are for the voice and one is for all those musicians on a budget.

HOMEMADE THYME - HONEY COUGH SYRUP
2 cups of boiling water
3 tabelspoons dried thyme
1 cup of honey
Directions - Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat, add thyme and cover. Steep until cool. Strain the the thyme from the water, stir in the honey. Keep it in a glas jar refigerated.
(It lasts for several months)

THYME TEA
Boil hot water then steep a couple of tablespoons of dried tyme in a tea ball. Add honey to sweeten it if desired.

FRANNY'S THYME FRITATA (A glorified omelette)
1 onion
Generous amount of dried or fresh thyme
Sea Salt
6 eggs
2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Directions
1.Chop the onion up and saute in a frying pan. Add salt to taste and thyme.
2.While onion is cooking beat six eggs in a bowl and set aside.
(Cook onion until it is soft but not browned or carmelized)
3.Pour the beaten eggs over the onions.
4.As the eggs are cooking on a low/medium heat lift the edges with a fork and let the raw egg ooze over the sides until it is firm underneath.
5.When the egg is cooked to where you want it place a plate the size of the pan on top of the fritata.
6.Flip the fritata upside down onto the plate.
7.Slide the fritata back onto the pan. (This will cook it on the other side.)

(When the fritata is done slide it back onto the plate, cut it like you would a quiche and you're ready to eat)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

August 19th 2008 - Finishing up on Paper Hearts

This is my first blog entry for August 19th. Yesterday I finished up on a single from my upcoming album. I recorded with my producer Michael Winger at his studio here in San Francisco. I finished up on all the additional vocals on the track. The file itself was very huge, the size of a whole album. We spent a lot of time condensing it, saving, and editing. This is what you have to do with those epic pop songs. I'm really excited about this one. Talk of releasing it as a single before the album is released is in negotiation. I personally think it would be a great idea. I've been working on my album for about two years now and I think it's time to share some my hard earned work. However the album is very close to being finished. It is a solid album from beginning to end and my growth and artistry really shines in this one. It was well worth the wait. I believe we have created something quite more than a typical indie release. It is difficult in this day an age as a musician. Things are changing so quickly, but I also believe we are going back to our roots. We are doing things in a more DIY, grassroots type of way and the truth is people like Joni Mitchell and Dylan were doing this long before we were. There's a lot of freedom in what you can do as an artist in this day an age but things can be a bit tricky as well. On another note, I've been sick for the past few days. All the typical symptoms. Soar throat, coughing, stuffed up nose, hazy, blah. I hate being sick. I'll try to take it easy. I'm performing next week and hope that my voice will be in better shape by then.