Press launch –
you’re within the presence of a drive when somebody performs upright bass, harmonica, keys, and cigar field guitar and that’s *earlier than* they open their mouth. Angelique Francis isn’t simply the way forward for blues, roots, and soul; she’s the freight prepare pulling the entire style into a brand new dimension. Together with her third studio album, Not Defeated, out now, the Ottawa-born powerhouse is delivering a rallying cry for resilience, packing soul anthems, gospel grooves, and barn-burning guitar solos into some of the thrilling Canadian releases of the 12 months.
Born in Ottawa and raised in a family the place music was each language and lifeline, Angelique first hit the stage at age seven and was enjoying festivals by 13. By 14, she was already enjoying with music icons like Beth Hart and Shamekia Copeland. She has since shared the stage with music legends: Buddy Man, Keb’ Mo’, Gary Clark Jr, and lots of extra. Her musical DNA contains Aretha Franklin on keys, Willie Dixon on bass, Large Mama Thornton on harp, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe on guitar; and in some way, she performs all of them. This multi-instrumentalist charts her personal path: rocking phases throughout the globe, serenading audiences along with her upright bass, harmonica, and highly effective voice; all on the identical time.
After successful the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the 12 months with Lengthy River, Francis was declared Performer of the 12 months by People Canada in 2024, swept a number of Canadian Blues Music Awards, and landed a 2025 Canadian People Music Award nod for Music of the 12 months. However greater than the accolades, it’s her skill to unify pleasure and battle that units her aside. “Music has at all times been about therapeutic for me,” Angelique shares. “It’s how I course of the world and the way I think about a greater one. One in every of my fundamental objectives as a musician is to unfold pleasure amongst my listeners. To present individuals hope in occasions of battle.”
On Not Defeated, she goes all in. “I could also be down / however I’m not defeated,” she howls on the album’s title observe. This high-powered soul-blues infused quantity highlights the analogy connecting the album’s tracks. “My album is a group of songs and tales concerning the hardships and challenges of our previous, current, and future, and the energy that lies inside us all to beat them”. The overarching theme is linked throughout each music, spinning a wide range of tales that vary from sensual, introspective, to comical.
From the sultry celebration of “Sugarcane Jukejoint” to the explosive funk-blues grooves of “Do That Work,” each observe is steeped in soul and goal. This album of fully authentic tunes was crafted within the signature Francis model; a fusion of Blues and Blues influenced genres (roots, people, soul, rock, gospel, Americana, funk, jazz, traditional R&B, and lots of extra). She takes her listeners on a journey by way of a various mixture of kinds; from upbeat and thrilling, to intimate and profound.
A featured observe, “Escape” (ft. Grammy winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram), is an electrifying religious gut-punch. “I simply can’t escape… my fears… / however I can stand / I’ll face it and provides all of it I can,” Francis belts with uncooked depth, her voice swirling with Kingfish’s molten guitar. This timeless uplifting anthem encourages listeners to create their very own mild within the face of darkness.
Then there’s “Watch Me Develop,” a compelling tune that marries blues riffs with swagger, slick spoken phrase poetry, and New Orleans horns. It’s a music that declares: “Our path could also be difficult, however onwards we battle / Watch me develop, watch us develop.”
Francis says: “Every one in every of us has the ability to create optimistic change inside this world. When individuals come collectively, assist each other, and love one another, we are able to accomplish wonders.”
The album additionally options one other sonic firestorm in “Practice Coming” with Grammy Nominee Eric Gales, a blues-rock juggernaut that flawlessly electrifies listeners with its energy and sizzle; a multifaceted metaphor about shedding one’s burdens and charging forward in direction of a brighter future.
For Francis, music is her life, love, and household (fairly actually). Her band contains sisters Kharincia Francis (sax), Kira Francis (trombone), Kayla Francis (vocals), and Father Kiran Francis (drums). “I’m so fortunate to have my household by my facet,” she says. “It seems like a dream come true! They’re implausible musicians, and collectively our music is a mirrored image of who we’re and the values we have been raised on. That Love can conquer all.” Different gifted members of The Angelique Francis Band on this album embody Ed Lister (trumpet), Dave Williamson (electrical guitar), and Andrew Knox (trumpet).
Coming off a whirlwind summer season with performances at Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Pageant (USA), Mont Tremblant Worldwide Blues Pageant (QC), Niagara Jazz Pageant (ON), Fort Langley Jazz Pageant (BC), and many others., Angelique and the band will board the Preserving the Blues Alive at Sea cruise this September, acting from Seattle to Alaska alongside a few of the greatest names in Blues (resembling Joe Bonamassa, Marcus King, Little Feat, and lots of others). “I can’t wait to carry this new music to individuals,” she beams. “Each present seems like a homecoming, whether or not we’re in Toronto or Romania.”
As for what’s subsequent? Francis is ready to tour within the fall (together with Massey Corridor, the Prismatic Arts Pageant in Halifax, and Aeolian Corridor in London) and is already engaged on her tour for 2026.
With Not Defeated, Angelique Francis has delivered greater than only a report. She’s supplied a soundtrack for anybody who’s ever fallen and obtained again up anyway. “Failure, concern, and ache could come; however so long as we now have hope, we is not going to be defeated.”
