Musician Faye Donna Francis believes that all people struggling with their mental health need to “find their passion” in order to live their best life.
Faye, 24, from Childwall, got into music during lockdown in 2020. Originally more of a performer, having done acting in school and dabbled in the school choir, she found that the pandemic stopped all creativity as there was no way to connect.
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Faye said: “My therapist advised me to put my journaling to music." She started out singing over beats found on YouTube or taking part in karaoke.
She said: “It was quite fulfilling. There’s such joy with music because you can be creative from your room.”
When working with Liverpool-based theatre company 20 Stories High in Toxteth, a friend who heard Faye’s singing offered her a free recording session.
Faye continued: “I came in and had a good time. I just loved every moment of it. I found my little thing. My motto is that I’m healing whilst revealing my feelings. If you are going through something, a creative space is the way to get through it.”
Faye added that performing is a great way to connect with people, as she can see people relating to her songs.
She said: “I see them have that moment and then carry on with their lives. I know it’s hard to articulate feelings sometimes, but speak your truth and do what you need to do. It’s so validating and healing.”
Faye’s debut EP, Process, came out on June 28, 2023, and was recorded in GoPlay Studio in Toxteth.
She said: “My goal was to have something in my life that I created and produced. It exists and lives while I move on and those songs exist in themselves.
“I want to build my team because I’m used to doing things on my own, and being inspired by other producers is the best thing.”
Faye, who studies Management at LIPA, also spoke on the local music scene in Liverpool and said: "To play in Liverpool is amazing but the scene is really struggling. Venues are closing, particularly with the cost of living crisis, people don't have enough money to live.
“They’re saving up to see one gig like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift so local artists can't be seen. People want a guarantee that it’s worth their money.”
Faye is a huge supporter of expressing yourself through your passion, especially if you are struggling with your mental health, but also believes that not everybody finds their calling straight away.
Faye added: "I didn’t start doing music until I was 23. Time knows what it's doing so just surrender. Nothing is guaranteed and life can have its own paths. That time during lockdown was a safe space to do my new passion, and I did it for me and not for anyone else.
"People should check in on why they’re doing things, particularly young people. Are you doing things for everybody else? Because doing things for yourself is life changing.
“There's a separation of people doing things they love and doing things to do it. I found my passion but a lot of people my age haven't found it yet and that’s okay.”