Francine Magee Unpacks Emotional Debut Single, “Higher”

Welcome to Buzz, Francine! Congratulations on releasing your big debut single, "Higher." What inspired you to write such an empowering song for your first release?

Thank you so much for including me and listening to my debut single. I am so glad to finally be sharing and delighted that it’s being well received. The song started as an unintentional therapy session where I ended up writing my way out of a dark space I had been in. It’s wild, but when you listen to a lot of house and dance tracks, the lyrics can be pretty heavy and insightful. It’s one of my favorite juxtapositions: heartfelt lyrics over a fun, danceable track. Gotta set ourselves free, you know? What better way than singing and dancing through it?

Your musical background is incredibly diverse. How did your training in different genres influence the creation of "Higher?"

Vocal training is a gift and a curse. A gift because you explore your voice in new and different parameters. I call it a curse, though, because you train by learning other people’s songs and sounds, often imitating or mimicking those artists and writers. I have sang jazz, classical, musical theater, gospel, choral, children’s, etc. While amazing, it made finding my artist sound like a journey because where does imitation end and my art begin?

I naturally lean more soulful cause that’s the music that I love. Some of my favorite memories growing up were being introduced to new music. My mom and dad's music taste was so wide; they were always throwing new stuff at us and challenging our ears in the best ways possible. I will never forget when my pops and I were painting my bedroom when I was like 11 or 12 and we listened to a ‘women in disco’ compilation they had laying around. It immediately resonated. I loved it so much that I wore that CD out. I find that even now, no matter what I’m listening to, I always find my way back to that era when funk and dance collided, making literal magic. I’ve always known I wanted to write disco tracks for myself, and luckily, my producer (Verskotzi) was equally excited to explore this terrain with me.

Can you walk us through your songwriting process for "Higher?" How did you approach translating such a personal message into music?

We were finishing up a writing week for the album in 2022, and I felt I needed something more upbeat that represented the lighthearted, fun part of my personality. We did a quick deep dive of my fave house tracks from the 90s and disco songs from the 70s and started dissecting what we loved about them. For me, it’s always the bass line that drives the song and makes disco so damn funky. As Joey (Verskotzi) started building the track, finding synth sounds, and writing guitar parts, we called up an incredible bassist, Will Birckhead, to give us his take, and boy, did he deliver; made the track completely come to life.

I was so excited about where the track was that the lyrics and vocal ideas just started pouring out of me. Having just come out of a deep, post-COVID depression, I truly felt like I had ended up on the other side of this wave that kept hitting me over and over again. It became an anthem to myself to keep going. My BGVs on the song are like little angel aunties cheering me on and helping to point me in the right direction. The BGVs were also my way of paying homage to the disco girl groups like The Emotions and Sister Sledge, who have had such a huge influence on me.

As a debut single, "Higher" sets a strong tone for your artistic identity. How does this song represent you as an artist?

My name, Francine, literally means ‘living in freedom’ — I often ponder how I can be truly free if I am holding myself back with thoughts of fear and doubt. This song reminds me not to dim my light by getting caught up in the small-mindedness and limitations of those I had been surrounded by while growing up in the church, working in the suburbs, and even the influence family can have. Releasing my music is a huge step towards self-realization and the ultimate relinquishing of self-limiting beliefs. I don't just want to talk about it, I want my actions and life to show that I am about doing the hard work it takes to set myself free from old ways of thinking. My hope is that it helps someone else by reminding them of their power, it always starts from within. You cannot fully serve others from an empty cup; you must fill your cup first.

What do you hope listeners will take away from "Higher?" Is there a particular message or feeling you want to convey?

Disco in its time was more than music; it was a movement born out of an attempt to repress LGBTQ+ and Black communities in New York by excluding them from clubs and limiting public displays of affection. Not only did they break through those barriers, but they created one of the most original and enduring music genres ever. This song is an homage to these communities, as I would not be who I am without their influence, love, and support. I hope to give back to others 100x the love and joy my community has given me. Love wins, always, and I hope that comes through on this track!

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