We are delighted to be able to bring you a video premiere of Frankie Wesson`s new single. Not only because it is a incredible composition, but in our eyes Frankie is one of the most imaginative and incredible artists we have had pleasure to work with. So without further ado, please enjoy both the video and our take on “Delicate”.
It may be a pointless piece of trivia but almost every review of Frankie Wesson that we have on Indieterria was written on a plane, usually on route between UK and Poland. This one is no exception. I often spend my time in the air committing my observations to paper, as it allows me to tackle any backlogs, but it also keeps me from doom-thinking. A claustrophobic in the cabin is not somebody you want to be traveling with, take my word for it. Frankie Wesson should be earning air miles and free flights to Spain for all the times her music kept me from screaming at the top of my lungs during turbulence. Good travel soundtrack, happy Malicia and a peaceful voyage for everyone else as the conventional wisdom goes.
On the ground or up in the clouds, I like Frankie`s body of work for more reasons than its ability to occupy my thoughts. I am into artists that are original, who have something interesting to say or who can teach me something. As a music writer I want to tell my readers fascinating stories or anecdotes, I strive to help them discover music with a soul and history. There is nothing worse than composing paragraphs on songs with zero value and a long list of credits. That is why you will never find any pieces about Top 40 drivel on Indieterria.
I love Frankie Wesson`s music because it challenges me, my knowledge and my perceptions. Every time I get to review her music, I feel I grow as a journalist. It allows me to be the best version of me – authentic and sincere, goofy and yet engaged writer.
The moment I heard “Delicate” for the first time; words just flowed to me. All I had to do was to grab the notebook and a pen and the text you read right now practically wrote itself.
Imagine a feeling of elation when such a creative surge happens to a music journalist. Suddenly you get transported into a different realm. Your brain starts to pick all the clues, references, you begin to connect the dots. Like a detective, you follow threads and see where they take you. This is the power of music, magic really. And let me tell you Frankie Wesson possesses this rare ability to overtake you from the first notes and leave you gasping for air.
“Delicate”, like many Frankie`s compositions, starts at a slower pace. It is a serenade, rather than a ballad. It speaks about human connections, dreams and inspirations. It can be regarded as a beautifully crafted love song, but in my opinion, it is way more than that. This is an anthem speaking of those on the outskirts of society, often from marginalized groups. I know Frankie says that her main inspiration as a songwriter is Taylor Swift, but on this I will disagree with her. I see Frankie closer to the likes of Tracy Chapman, Emmylou Harris or even Dolly Parton. It is easy to create songs about parties and basking in the sun on the beach. It is much harder to portray societal ills, emotional states of those going through hardships, of what it feels like to be ostracized.
Frankie Wesson is unique. In my eyes she is one of the best composers to give insight into the queer community in the UK. She is chronicling what the L.G.B.T. Q+ folks go through with incredible focus and introspection. Her lyrics one day will document the entire generation of gays, lesbian and queer people`s experiences in this country. “Delicate” is about love but not in the usual sense. This is a call for self-preservation, a reminder that we may face unprecedented hostility and stigmatization due to culture wars, but we need to show love and respect to ourselves.
As a bi person it is hard to watch how politicians treat LGBTQ+ community these days, how little regard they have for our lives and well being (Wes Streeting, I am talking directly to you!), how they would exchange our existence for approval from far right and religious fundamentalists. The irony that Mr Streeting is gay is not lost on me. Just imagine, how uncomfortable he feels in his own skin, how insecure he is in his own mind, how little he thinks of himself if he is willing to condemn our trans siblings to torture and suicide for political points. Forced transition, going though unwanted puberty, being unable to access lifesaving health care is torture. And it will result in trans people dying.
Maybe Wes Streeting should listen to Frankie as she sings that we need to be delicate with ourselves and treat ourselves with kindness, just as much as we show courtesy and kindness to others. Maybe then he`d back off and leave our community alone?
“Delicate” stands at six minutes, twice as long as most songs you will hear on the radio nowadays. It is another point that I absolutely love about this single – Frankie is not only an outspoken champion of her community, but she also cares very little for commercial requirements imposed on artists. I applaud this attitude. The single is unbelievably radio friendly with catchy choruses and beautifully arranged passages between the stanzas. It doesn’t repeat itself or become boring – every second is well used. I think it was Prince who said that musicians should take as much time to tell a story as they like. Songs are meant to be tall as redwood trees, not cut down to a bonsai size by radio edits, to allow more time for ads to be broadcast.
It may be tempting to describe “Delicate” as a pop song. But if so, it is a rather conventional one. It features harmonica, guitar passages that imitate pedal steel guitar, it creates a rich musical tapestry with elements of folk, country, roots and traditional Appalachian music. Frankie Wesson is a Welsh artist, but she comes very close to the likes of Rising Appalachia on this track. I bet a tenner that Frankie and her band would find a lot in common with sisters Chloe Smith and Leah Song. Their activism, interest in performance as extension of art, engagement in social justice and their disdain for music business that has a tendency to ignore the independents – you can imagine quite a lively conversation between the acts going late into the night. Who knows, maybe one day Frankie Wesson and Rising Appalachia will share a stage?
I keep writing about Frankie alone, but “Delicate” is a group affair. Ruby Ravelle contributed electric guitar, bass, synth, strings and orchestral instruments to the track. I absolutely adore Ruby. She is one of the best shredders in contemporary rock in Wales but also a poet, singer, multi-instrumentalist and truly remarkable person. She contributed to Indieterria Alternative Christmas in the past (one of our most read articles). She is proof that trans women can be talented and successful. You will see a review of Ruby`s solo album “A Dream of Odysseus” on our blog later in August.
Other people who contributed towards “Delicate” are Ryan Jordan and Sally Greenwell. Ryan was responsible for drums and percussion, besides mastering and recording on the track. He is well known in the West Midlands for operating AR Studios in Kingstone, Herefordshire. Sally Greenwell is a viola player and alumna of Birmingham Conservatoire. She holds a degree in classical music and music therapy, she is also a member of The Brwmys collective and a session musician.
The video to “Delicate” had been filmed around the hometown of Frankie and her band – Abergavenny – and features some striking visuals of South Wales, often filmed with a use of a drome. In the video Frankie is seen looking for her soul mate and following a red thread that is wrapped around her finger. The idea of red thread (akai ito) bounding two lovers for eternity by a lunar god is not only a Japanese custom, but a tradition that is common to all East Asian countries. It signifies strong connections between humans that cannot be diminished by time or place. With the usual sassiness, director and long time collaborator Honey B McKenna, shows Frankie exploring the Welsh countryside, ball of red yarn in hand leading her to that favourite person.
We can’t put into words how much what Frankie and her team do means to us. We truly hope that the music will mean a great deal to our readers too.
Follow Frankie and her band on socials:
http://www.frankiewessonmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/frankiewessonmusic
https://twitter.com/FrankieMayJones
https://www.instagram.com/frankiewesson
https://soundcloud.com/frankiewesson-music
https://www.youtube.com/@FrankieWesson
https://www.tiktok.com/@frankiewesson1
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SBpmZcOOC9HkUEJVR11QT
Our coverage of Frankie`s music can be found at the link below:
https://vanadianavenue.co.uk/tag/frankie-wesson
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
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