Angelique Francis hops a Train Coming through town and rides it down the line in her soul-stirring new single — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
As she combines authentic blues, soul and gospel influences with smooth, rock-infused guitars, the Juno winner delivers a captivating performance on her latest release. The first preview of her new album Watch Me Grow, due this summer, Train Coming invites listeners on an exhilarating ride.
Featuring Grammy-nominated guitarist Eric Gales, the track finds singer and multi-instrumentalist Francis honouring the talent and sound of musical greats like Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton, while maintaining a multi-layered artistry of her own. Within Train Coming, Francis seeks to inspire listeners to never give up in the face of adversity, and to believe in the strength that lies within. Ultimately, the single is a blues anthem for rising above with confidence and style:
“Won’t be bound by mentalities
Of common conventionalities
The earth, this land, the sky, the sea
They won’t stop me
“Spread my wings and I’m ready to fly
In this town Imma leave behind
The weight, the hate, the fear, the load
Onward I go
There’s a train coming
It’s rolling into town
Yes, I’ll be on it
No, you won’t see me around.”
Having shared the stage with legends such as Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr. and Beth Hart, to name a few, Francis is an extremely talented musician that is well experienced across various instruments, genres and audiences. The Ottawa native began her music career at seven years old, and by 13 she was playing festivals across North America, opening for everyone from Trooper to Shemekia Copeland, and honing her talents on upright and electric bass, acoustic and electric guitar and piano.
Francis won the Juno for her 2023 album Long River. She has also won two Maple Blues Awards, been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award along with two Ontario Folk Music Awards, and has graced the stages of numerous blues and folk festivals. Her music embraces Americana, rock, blues, jazz, gospel, and soul.
Check out Train Coming above, listen to Long River below, and find Angelique Francis at her website, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
