Olivia Frances “Show Me What I’m Looking For”

When Olivia Frances walks on stage, her infectious energy and powerful stage presence captures a room. With ethereal vocals, ocean-like synths, and an earthy acoustic sound, she takes the listener to a contemplative, spiritual place that leads one to reflect upon their own life’s patterns. Frances glows in a similar sphere to artists such as Joni Mitchell, The Carpenters, and Kacey Musgraves.

Nashville-based, folk/pop indie artist Olivia Frances has released multiple singles, three full-length albums, and live performance videos – but one thing she’s never done is record a cover song – until now. After the release of her latest, mantra-like single “Breathing Room,” this spiritual songwriter decided that it was time to try something new. Frances has released her own version of the late 2000’s hit song, “Show Me What I’m Looking For” by Swedish band Carolina Liar. Frances takes this rock-oriented, guitar-driven, anthem to a field of dreams of her own. Floating in piano, stacked synths, and even vocoder, Frances turns this head banger into a reflective, light, and airy track. Her spin is so unique, it might even take you a few moments of listening before you recognize the original version from within it. And if you don’t recognize the song at all, then Frances has the great pleasure of introducing it to you for the very first time. With her soothing, youthful sound, Frances combines the influences of Maggie Rogers, Florence and the Machine, and AURORA.
“Show Me What I’m Looking For” was pieced together with her producer and collaborator Scott Griffin this past February at Griffin’s home studio in Nashville, TN. With his distinct sound, Griffin was also the producer behind her latest single, “Breathing Room.” The pair met via a music co-op in East Nashville called Helping Our Musicians Evolve (HOME) in late 2020, where they hit it off and went to work. Frances shares that she approached Scott with the idea to cover this song but wasn’t sure what direction to take it in. “I knew I wanted to cover a song that’s always been meaningful to me, one that’s always pulled at my heartstrings,” Frances shares. The pair began to tinker around in the studio, experimenting with different sounds until they settled on something that felt good. “It was really when Scott had me test out singing the song on the vocoder when both of us stopped and looked at each other and knew we had found something,” she recalls.
“It’s one of those songs where some people know it, and some people don’t, and some people have totally forgotten about it and then remember it from the past,” Frances shares with a grin. In a way, Frances excavates a tune that, for some, was sitting in a box in their brain until they hear it again. For anyone who is chasing their dreams, whether it be an entrepreneur, singer, or painter – the desire to find what you’re looking for is universal.
“I’ve really been into manifesting,” Frances reveals, “and I feel like this song is you manifesting whatever you’re searching for. Like you’re on your knees saying, “Please Universe, show me I’m doing the right thing, that I’m going the right way.” Listeners will hear that relatable plea shine through this track. That desire is one that Frances is all too familiar with as an artist in the crowded landscape of the Nashville music scene, but based on her year so far, she’s on the right track indeed.
Frances just wrapped up her 20-date Breathing Room Tour across the U.S, playing venues from Colorado to New York. She received a new sponsorship in August from Sumbeach Guitars, a custom guitar company based in Cheyenne, WY owned by David Martinez. He meticulously crafted Frances her first, signature electric guitar. With a unique pink color, gorgeous abalone inlay fretboard, and green ivy painted on the guitar body, this instrument also includes her distinct logo. Frances will be hitting the road again on a smaller tour this fall to promote “Show Me What I’m Looking For.” Follow her on BandsinTown and catch her in a city near you.

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