Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert Francis will be releasing his label debut Strangers in the First Place on May 22nd. The 12 tracks on Strangers in the First Place embrace the emotional richness of his gravel tinged baritone and depth in his songwriting, which critics and fans have long praised.
Francis has just embarked on a cross-country tour supporting Mat Kearney, which will include stops in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles (see tour dates below). Following this tour, he will perform multiple shows at this year’s South By Southwest festival in Austin. Exact dates/venues to be announced shortly.
Raised in Los Angeles, Francis’ musical prowess stems from his upbringing – His father a producer and pianist, his mother a singer, who would often perform Ranchera songs from her native Mexico with her two songstress sisters. At the young age of nine, the legendary Ry Cooder gifted Francis with his first guitar and years later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante took him on as his only student.
Francis first gained national attention with his release One By One, which set him apart as one of the young artists to watch as a great American songwriter of his generation.