Check Out Bug Frances’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bug Frances.

Hi Bug, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my music journey back in 2014, the summer before my freshman year of high school. I joined a program for kids called the Littleton Conservatory of Rock, and there, I met amazing players, made wonderful lifelong friends, and developed my passion for singing. Through this program, I met some friends who would later turn into my bandmates in my first-ever band, Wik. We were a bluesy rock band, and every Sunday we would meet in the guitarist’s basement for practice. Wik ended up releasing an EP, and we were able to play a lot of amazing gigs, including one opening up for Lola Black at The Oriental Theater.

We all eventually went our separate ways, but then I found myself at MSU’s Dime Denver music program. There, I was lucky enough to again meet amazing musicians, more friends, and expand my craft. By this point, I decided to pursue music as a solo artist. And after a lot of name changes, I eventually decided on Bug Frances as my official stage name. Since then, I’ve been writing and recording my first EP as a solo artist with my wonderful friends Dan Barnhart of Arsenal Studios and Chris Dellinger. My hope is to soon have a release and introduce the world to Bug Frances.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It certainly has not been a smooth road, but I have still experienced many triumphs along my journey. Like many musicians experienced, Covid-19 made pursuing music extremely difficult. Going out to friends’ shows and having your own gigs became impossible, as well as seeing your bandmates for practice. And being cooped up during lockdown drained a lot of the inspiration I had to write, sing, and pursue music altogether.

But, I was lucky enough that the passion still remained inside of me, dormant, and was reignited once I was able to get back out into the world again. It was also a struggle to part ways with many bandmates over the years when our creative visions no longer aligned. For me, my past bandmates were like family. Saying goodbye broke my heart. But that being said, saying goodbye allows for growth and inspiration, and for something better to take the place of what wasn’t serving us. These struggles have helped me grow as an artist, and although painful experiences, I am grateful for them.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Singing is, through and through, my greatest passion, and I feel so lucky to be able to pursue it as a career. When I sing, my favorite style is to sing with a rasp in my voice. I learned to do this at a young age by listening to Soundgarden and Alice In Chains. Soundgarden’s song Outshined was actually the first song I ever sang by myself in front of a crowd. I’ve also learned to play a few instruments along the way to support myself when I’m singing. Now as a solo artist, when I write my songs, I write the bass, guitar, and vocal parts myself.

It took me quite some time to feel confident in my songwriting abilities, especially when it came to writing instrumentals, but I’m very proud of the practice and time I’ve put in to learn. I think what sets me apart from others is an answer I gave to my old friend, Mark Bradford after he asked me a very simple question. He asked, “Would you ever be happy doing anything else as a career besides music?” And I said no. That moment made me realize that no matter what, I was going to do everything in my power to pursue music, and take it as far as I can.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising that people who know my music but may not know about me, is contrary to me getting on stage and singing and screaming, I am actually extremely shy and introverted in my personal life or vice versa.

There have been many occasions of friends from school or work come to see my shows and were totally shocked at the way I sing and perform. I’ve always really enjoyed the dichotomy of my music and my personal life because it allows me the self-expression I lack in my day to day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugfrances/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/paytonroybalmusic/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bugfrances2138
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/NMCe4itJ7jRoXzZu9
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BvLU3vbIsgdfDGMu9FsWK?si=TAIRpXY0Stu5KP7jc-yTFA 

Image Credits
Elijah Nason (@elicolorado_2003)