Q & A: Jasmine Frances on Her New Single, “Now I Take My Coffee Black”

2X CMAB nominee & emerging artist, Jasmine Frances is bringing small-town Alberta charm to country music. Following up on her debut studio album, “Just a Girl and Her Guitar“, she released her latest single, “Now I Take My Coffee Black”.

Recently, I spoke with Jasmine about the track, how she’s grown as an artist/songwriter and more. 

Kyla Pearson: You recently released your latest single, “Now I Take My Coffee Black”. Can you tell us a bit more about the song, as well as the songwriting & recording process?

Jasmine Frances: “Now I Take My Coffee Black” was written by myself, and one of my guitarists Skyler Okemaysim. It’s more of a sassy breakup song involving all the drink flavours you can get. I find we have written a darker unsettling song, but added a twist to it making it not your typical country ballad. Writing music comes easily to me, I write hundreds of songs, and just keep the ones that stick. When we finally finished “Now I Take My Coffee Black” we knew it was the one to release. Recording was another story, we enjoyed our time in the studio. I always work with Colin Noel at Electric Treehouse Studio, except now I have a team of musicians behind me too. Adrien Skarra was on drums and electric guitar, and Skyler Okemaysim also did acoustic guitar and bass. Rick Boston did accent guitar, and it just all came together. 

Kyla Pearson: The song is your first release since your debut album. How does this single demonstrate your growth as an artist & songwriter since your debut album?

Jasmine Frances: Musicians are constantly evolving, and I think this single for me really show cases my country side a bit more, and also my growth as a musician. It is definitely more mature than my debut album, but after all I was only 16 when I recorded my album. 

Featured: Official cover art for Jasmine’s latest single, “Now I Take My Coffee Black”.

Kyla Pearson: "Now I Take My Coffee Black" is also your first single on country radio. What has that achievement meant for you?

Jasmine Frances: Hitting radio was such a huge accomplishment for my team and me, to have a single that is getting played all over Canada means a lot. I have upcoming radio interviews with CFWE/ CJWE, which is so exciting for me. 

Kyla Pearson: According to you, what is the ideal setting to listen to the song in order to fully experience it? What do you hope fans take away from the song?

Jasmine Frances: I think anyone and everyone can relate to this song at least once in their life. I love to listen to it all the time, just anywhere. It’s the type of song you can listen to in the vehicle on a good day, but can also cry too. 

Kyla Pearson: You’ve played quite a few shows across Alberta this summer. How have those shows helped you build your confidence as an artist/develop your stage presence & connect with your fanbase?

Jasmine Frances: Shows are my favourite. I absolutely love performing. Since I was a child my mum put me on the stage with curricular activities so stage fright never really came to me. Being asked to perform at the Big Valley Jamboree was one of my highlights this year, for sure. I hope I can play there again and more places all over canada. 

Kyla Pearson: On a related note, what venue or festival would you love to perform at?

Jasmine Frances: I’d love to perform at Country Thunder one day, it would mean a lot to me as a small artist. 

Featured: Emerging country artist, Jasmine Frances. PC: Rivers Edge Photography.

Kyla Pearson: Lastly, how do you plan to spend the last few months of 2023 in order to set yourself up for success in the new year?

Jasmine Frances: My goal is to promote the single I have put out recently. My team and I are also discussing an album.

Listen to "Now I Take My Coffee Black” Now:

Stay up to Date With Jasmine Frances:

Works Cited

Frances, Jasmine. Interview. Conducted by Kyla Pearson, Sept. 6, 2023.

Frances, Jasmine. Rivers Edge Photography. “Featured: Official cover art for Jasmine’s latest single, “Now I Take My Coffee Black”.” Photo courtesy of Jasmine Frances. Accessed Sept. 6, 2023.

Rivers Edge Photography. “Featured: Emerging country artist, Jasmine Frances.” Photo courtesy of Jasmine Frances. Accessed Sept. 6, 2023.

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