Chicago's Fran releases 'A Private Picture,' a sleepy, indie-rock cure to the winter blues through therapeutic melodies, delicate vocals and vast, unexpected hooks

Courtesy of the band. Fran released "A Private Picture" Nov. 15.

Chicago-based Fran released their debut record, "A Private Picture," Nov. 15, selling out their release show at The Hideout just days later. The record was released with Fire Talk and is a striking and visceral depiction of front woman Maria Jacobson's own life and experiences. "A Private Picture" is collectively a delectable and smooth indie-rock album that presents unexpected hooks, full, atmospheric strumming and a mood that pleads justifiable crying sessions.

"A Private Picture" is mature enough to be included in this decade's top-something records list, for sure, as Jacobson opens up her soul to Chicago listeners and those beyond. She has birthed something here that projects you from reality, tossing you into that cavernous void with nothing but a guitar and soft voice. Fire Talk wrote the release is truth-telling; the songs are a conversation, therapy. That is unarguable.

Fran has delivered in more than one way, providing something more beautiful and serious and complicated than is usual for the local music scene in Chicago. Many local bands have been steady-creating garage-rock or math-rock influenced sounds for head-banging gigs or riffs for heavy listeners, even many putting out psych-rock tunes for that lighter, atmospheric experience, but Fran's "A Private Picture" offers something more inspired by intimate melodies and a pure spirit. Listen and feel renewed.

With the opening of the track "A Private Picture," Jacobson softly sings alongside the picking of guitar in high notes, perfect articulation of every word and a tone that is soon met by soft backing drums and a chorus that claims, "I want to be with someone else. I let you down; I'm sorry, I let you down again." Jacobson radiates confidence over time, like in most of the tracks, eventually adding more vigor to her words for the hook, exclaiming: "To be everything and nothing, that is something. But it is nothing. It is nothing. It is nothing."

A majority of the tracks on "A Private Picture" begin and end in completely different but fully satisfying ways; as if she has had a revelation by the end of each song, Jacobson has mastered this ability to change the track of emotions with one hook or chorus, pulling the listener along with her powerful yet sleepy voice and slow, dream-like set-ups. Each song presents some sort of surprise along the way, yet feels like an escape from the bitter cold we've met and will meet again soon this winter. Grab your favorite blanket, curl up in front of the fireplace and fall deep into "A Private Picture," preferably with a cup of black coffee in hand.

Courtesy of the band. Jacobson worked with Chicago photographer Reilly Drew to create the album artwork for "A Private Picture."

Following the release of the record and in preparation for the show Saturday at The Hideout, I asked Jacobson about how Fran has been inspired by the local scene in Chicago, the impact of the new music since its release as well as what it takes to create the perfect sleepy, indie record.

Did you channel any specific emotions when writing and creating this record? Was there a specific mindset you had when creating it?

Not really. A lot of this record was written during an emotionally tumultuous time—my early 20s—so I think writing the songs was often my way of coping with what was going on—disappointments, heartbreak, anger. I didn’t have to channel anything because it was all very raw at the time.

The new record is very slow and sleepy—which I love. I love how you started out with the track “Now.” It makes me really eager for whatever is coming next—like the ending of the track is wild. The boldness and aggression and fullness. It’s very disruptive in a beautiful way; I think it was an ideal start. Can you talk about this at all?

I was torn about the beginning of the album; “Now” is probably the most recent song I’ve written on the record and definitely has a different feel than the rest of it. I hoped it would be a sort of “call to listen,” like the narrator telling you what the play or book is gonna be about at the beginning and inviting you in.

How would you say the new album compares or differs to your EP, "More Enough"?

I feel that “More Enough” was somewhat of a learning and experimental experience because I had never recorded anything before. I feel that there is more confidence and groundedness in “A Private Picture." But I love them both and think they both do the songs justice in their own ways.

Have you been inspired or motivated by any other Chicago-based and local musicians, individuals, artists, etc.?

Endlessly. I don’t even know where to begin. The Chicago music community is such a vast and beautiful ecosystem. We are all supporting each other and playing together and making each other better. Some songwriters/bands I’m inspired by are Bret Koontz, Jessica Risker, Circuit des Yeux, Famous Laughs, Health&Beauty, Tobacco City, Angela James, J. Fernandez, Rob Jacobs, The Hecks, Mia Joy, Glyders, Lala Lala, Ruins, Tasha. All of these people are amazing songwriters; and the list goes on.

Tell me about the inspiration of the album cover? It’s beautiful. One of the best I’ve seen lately, I would say.

Thank you! I was inspired by theater photography—how it is about capturing moments in a sort of surreal, constructed set. I worked with an incredible Chicago photographer, Reilly Drew, who has a really good eye for detail and framing, and he completely nailed it by achieving both softness and severity in the shots. It definitely reflects the tones of the record nicely.



“Now” and “So Surreal” are favorites. What is your favorite part of the record? Do you have a favorite track or line or moment?

My favorite parts are the parts that took a lot of tries to get right. For me, those are “In My Own Time” and parts of “Desert Wanderer." "IMOT" was always played live in [a] sort of clunky way leading up to recording—loud drums and chunky electric guitar chords that didn’t serve the song right. We completely reconfigured it in the studio to be based around the simple Rhodes chords and have a much lighter feel with a slow build. Another favorite moment is in “DW” when the chorus-like vocals come in during the bridge. The song was missing something at that moment; I needed it to hit harder. So we quickly set up the vocal booth, and I recorded those two lines really quick; Luke [Otwell] did some magic in fleshing them out to make them sound like eight people singing in a large room. It was the final touch on the song.

How did you decide on the flow of the record? Did you think a lot about the order and placement of the songs?

Yes definitely. It took a few tries and also required some reconfiguring because of how long each side had to be on vinyl. It worked out that all of the songs with big builds are on side B—the last three tracks—and I think that is cool because it leaves everything on a grand note.

Are you happy/content/satisfied with how “A Private Picture” turned out?

I’m very happy with it. I think it represents exactly what these songs wanted to be and how they wanted to be presented.

What do you hope this new record does for your listeners? What impact do you want to have with this new record? Is that impact different from what it was with your first record?

My hope is that people just listen to it all the way through. If they are into it, I hope that it helps someone feel less alone in what they’re feeling [or] experiencing. I seek that out in music—a lyric or a moment that moves me—because I know exactly what they’re talking about. I wish that for my listeners.

How do you think the new record has been received by listeners, Chicago’s local music scene and show-goers during this tour? Any thoughts about this?

I think people are into it! We’ve gotten good responses from people on tour and sold a decent number of records. I am beside myself with gratitude for all the support and love. I’ve been really enjoying people posting Instagram stories of themselves listening to it in their homes with their pets or while taking baths. I think that makes it all worth it.

Listen to Fran's "A Private Picture" on all streaming platforms now, including Spotify and Apple Music, and follow them on Instagram to keep up with what's new and likely just as beautiful.