Francesca Blanchard + Yvonne McDonnell + Charlotte Louise Algar

Pay On The Door

French-American singer-songwriter Francesca Blanchard was selected Best Vocalist of 2015 by Vermont weekly Seven Days who hailed her as "a profound, mature talent” who "displays guile and artistic sensitivity that would be the envy of many tunesmiths twice her age. She may be young, but she has an old soul.” (Seven Days) 

Born and raised in France, Francesca traveled the globe with her family before settling in the small town of Charlotte in beautiful rural Vermont. Her intimate music, sung in French and English, reflects on her travels, both physical and emotional, and reflects influences ranging from Norah Jones and Carla Bruni to Eva Cassidy and Francoise Hardy. 

Francesca has opened for Joan Armatrading, Suzanne Vega, Yuna, Lissie, Caravan Palace and others and performed at the prestigious Francofolies Festival in Montreal in 2013 and 2015. Francesca's rendition of the classic French song “Sous Le Ciel de Paris” was featured on the Putumayo collection Vintage France and her recording of "Petit Papa Noel" appeared on Putumayo’s recent French Christmas collection. 

Francesca's first full-length album, Deux Visions, was released on October 2, 2015. It was produced by Montreal singer-songwriter Chris Velan (Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars), mixed by acclaimed producer Jean Massicotte (Lhasa, Patrick Watson, Arthur H, Jorane) and mastered at the prestigious Metropolis Studios in London.

"The most impressive album by a Vermont musician this year came from the singer-songwriter who segues seamlessly between songs in English and French. From the moody opener “Rame” to the drop-dead-gorgeous album-ender “The Sea (Zach’s Song”), “Deux Visions” is a stunner that reveals a young, mature musician with a bucket load of potential.” - Burlington Free Press

“Deux Visions shines on the strength of Blanchard’s accomplished compositions, tasteful guitar work and gorgeous vocals. A seamless mix of folk, jazz and roots-rock with some French chanson thrown in for good measure. The most ambitious and impressive debut album to come out of Vermont since Grace Potter.” - The Times Argus

"Colored by her love of folk, rock, jazz, French chanson, soul, world music and pop, Ms. Blanchard takes Deux Visions beyond the standard spare singer-songwriter route by encompassing one genre into another and folding one influence into another.” - World Music Central

“One of the year’s best new world music albums. An impressive first effort from the talented, young artist.” - Phil's Picks

"Francoise Hardy meets Nico and does in a few in English anyway?  This gal might seem moody, but there’s nothing about her that screams art chick.  Blanchard has the chops to be a wily entertainer to take you places you haven’t imagined and you’ll get there on her own particular magic carpet ride.  Certainly a left leaning, modern pop date, this is no yeah yeah girl looking for  fling.  Deep music fans will appreciate someone is still out there that wants to fan their flames with high octane, high quality stuff that’s delightfully out of the ordinary.  Well done throughout.” - Midwest Record Review

"The juxtaposition of bits of rural slide guitar twang and the romantic cadences of Blanchard’s French lyricism make for a steadying folk tune for a chilly, early fall morning.” - CMJ 

"Francesca so easily writes songs that tug at your heartstrings that you'd swear she was in love with you. Deux Visions succeeds because even at it's most quiet, minimalistic point it still has your emotions in a bear hug and won't let them go. This is an album that’s drenched in tears, an album that finds love in a thunderstorm, and leaves its lover at the airport gate.” - The POP Stereo Review

"On one hand you have the traditional singer songwriter with strummy guitars, lilting vocals, and a bit of heartbreak. On the other hand you have a French chanson artist who is intimate, beautiful, and lovelorn. When you take these two elements and mix them into one record you have an album that's filled with fragile beauty with a striking accent.” - The POP Stereo Review

"With a coffee shop-like intimacy Blanchard pours a linguistically alternating twelve song cup of poetry that ripples with subtle dynamic on a glass sea of acoustic emotion. Where captivating meets a soundtrack for life’s reflective moments is where you’ll find deux visions. This is one record that absolutely soars.” - Nanobot Rock Review

“Blanchard’s debut EP, Songs on an Ovation, is quietly and profoundly stunning. It is a humble ode to love, heartbreak and home that says more about all three topics in the span of 17 minutes than some songwriters do over entire careers. A remarkable debut.” - Dan Bolles, Seven Days

"She’s just 22 years old, but Francesca Blanchard has seen plenty of the world. Born in France, the singer-songwriter moved to Vermont at age 11, and her passport boasts stamps from India, Egypt, Kenya, South Korea, Thailand, Guatemala and Mauritania. International travel exposed Blanchard to cultural experiences that would later inform her bilingual songwriting — a mix of French and English that bears the mark of one wise beyond her years. Pouring her heart into delicate melodies written for the acoustic guitar, the rising talent launched a music career with her 2011 EP Songs on an Ovation and continues to blossom.” - Seven Days

"Francesca's is a very special talent. and I firmly believe she is in the early stages of a career that will earn her international celebrity - she's just that good. Her original songs in both French and English are artfully crafted, often-times deeply personal, and her singing voice is beautiful” - Joel Najman, Vermont Public Radio

“Singer-songwriter Francesca Blanchard sounds like a throwback to the old days of folk singers that came from Laurel Canyon in the 70s. This album has her singing in English and French, with acoustic and electric guitar, with a voice that has a hint of early Joni Mitchell and a feel of Neil Young.” - Jazz Weekly

"For an artist born in the early 1990s, Blanchard’s work on Deux Visions shows a remarkable grasp on her musical craft and maturity beyond her years. The songs are mostly laid back and dreamy with a sophistication that is usually associated with artists twice her age. Even then, the musical landscape on Deux Visions is encompassed by introspective acoustic guitars, lilting pedal steel guitars, lyrical piano play, light but appropriate percussion and an intangible air of atmosphere. And to top it off, there’s Blanchard’s soft but sublime vocals that add an extra layer of intrigue to the musical proceedings.” - Dayton City Paper