Introducing: Frances Mistry

Fresh off the release of her latest single, something has to give, Brighton-based rising artist frances mistry isn’t holding back. A stirring call for change in today’s socio-political landscape, the track blends her signature mellow vocals with a powerful message—urging listeners to reflect, react, and demand something better. With a growing fanbase, an upcoming EP, and festival slots at The Great Escape and Truck Festival, frances is making waves in the indie scene. We caught up with her to talk music, activism, and what’s next.

Your new single, something has to give, is a powerful call for change. Can you talk about the emotions and frustrations that led you to write this track?

I wrote this track not long after Labour had won the General Election. I just felt like it was being made out to be this massive change from the past 14 years of Tory rule when I could see that it was going to be almost the same, if not worse. And as of right now, they’re living up to what I predicted of them - slashing welfare while being able to find the money for war. They are no different from the Tories, they’ve just painted themselves red and taken the name of the party that was originally for the workers - the people. Not the billionaires.

Your music blends soft, melodic vocals with deeply impactful messages. How do you balance conveying serious socio-political themes while maintaining your signature sound?

It depends on what mood I’m in really or what production is calling to me when I’ve written the song. Not all my songs are highly obviously political, I tend to only write a couple per project, but when I do I want to put as much care and thought into it as possible as I’m dealing with sensitive topics that affect so many people. I want to make people listen and think about what they’re listening to and so I always want to make the music fit within my sound so it’s coherent but also stands out so it has that impact. “our blood” for instance is my heaviest track that I’ve done so far but it still has many elements of my, I guess, “ethereal” sound. 

You’ve been gaining momentum with being confirmed as a performer at The Great Escape this May and recognition from BBC Introducing. How has this growing platform influenced your approach to songwriting and activism through music?

It’s been incredibly heartwarming. I’ve always been someone who will write and release even if no one listens, just because it’s something I adore doing. But now actually getting a response from an audience and knowing people are listening and taking these important talking points into their lives - that feels so special. I want to get people thinking. I want to use my platform for change.

Your upcoming EP is set to explore more personal themes, including your experiences with autism. How important is it for you to share these aspects of your life through your music?

It’s so important to me, it’s a way to really get how I’m feeling without being misunderstood, if that makes sense? I guess it’s like a journal but I’m putting it out for everyone to hear hahah. Being autistic affects me in every way in my life both positive and negative so it will always be a part of my writing. Knowing other people can relate to my lyrics so deeply helps me feel less alone, and I hope that those people listening can also feel the same too. That’s important to me.

With your recent singles and the upcoming EP, what do you hope listeners take away from your music in 2025? Is there a particular message or feeling you want to leave them with?

I hope listening to my music is thought-provoking! I hope there to be some connection, whether that be with the lyrics or with the music itself. And maybe also, as my fans (they call themselves “the flowers”) and I have been saying too, “frances mistry world domination 2025!”