“I May Be Down. But I’m Not Defeated”: JUNO Winner Angelique Francis Roars Back With A Soul-Stirring, Genre-Bending Album of Grit, Groove, and Glory
You know you’re in the presence of a force when someone plays upright bass, harmonica, keys, and cigar box guitar and that’s *before* they open their mouth. Angelique Francis isn’t just the future of blues, roots, and soul; she’s the freight train pulling the whole genre into a new dimension. With her third studio album, Not Defeated, out on August 7th, the Ottawa-born powerhouse is delivering a rallying cry for resilience, packing soul anthems, gospel grooves, and barn-burning guitar solos into one of the most exciting Canadian releases of the year.
Born in Ottawa and raised in a household where music was both language and lifeline, Angelique first hit the stage at age seven and was playing festivals by thirteen. By 14, she was already playing with music icons like Beth Hart and Shamekia Copeland. She has sinceshared the stage with music legends: Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, Gary Clark Jr, and many more. Her musical DNA includes Aretha Franklin on keys, Willie Dixon on bass, Big Mama Thornton on harp, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe on guitar; and somehow, she plays them all. This multi-instrumentalist charts her own path: rocking stages across the globe, serenading audiences with her upright bass, harmonica, and powerful voice; all at the same time.
After winning the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the Year with Long River, Francis was declared Performer of the Year by Folk Canada in 2024, swept multiple Canadian Blues Music Awards, and landed a 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award nod for Song of the Year. But more than the accolades, it’s her ability to unify joy and struggle that sets her apart. “Music has always been about healing for me,” Angelique shares. “It’s how I process the world and how I imagine a better one. One of my main goals as a musician is to spread joy amongst my listeners. To give people hope in times of struggle.”
On Not Defeated, she goes all in. “I may be down / but I’m not defeated,” she howls on the album’s title track. This high-powered soul-blues infused number highlights the analogy connecting the album’s tracks. “My album is a collection of songs and stories about the hardships and challenges of our past, present, and future, and the strength that lies within us all to overcome them”. The overarching theme is linked across every song, spinning a variety of tales that range from sensual, introspective, to comical.
From the sultry celebration of “Sugarcane Jukejoint” to the explosive funk-blues grooves of “Do That Work,” every track is steeped in soul and purpose. This album of completely original tunes was crafted in the signature Francis style; a fusion of Blues and Blues influenced genres (roots, folk, soul, rock, gospel, Americana, funk, jazz, classic R&B, and many more). She takes her listeners on a journey through a diverse mix of styles; from upbeat and exciting, to intimate and profound.
A featured track, “Escape” (ft. Grammy winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram), is an electrifying spiritual gut-punch. “I just can’t escape… my fears… / but I can stand / I will face it and give it all I can,” Francis belts with raw intensity, her voice swirling with Kingfish’s molten guitar. This timeless uplifting anthem encourages listeners to create their own light in the face of darkness.
Then there’s “Watch Me Grow,” a compelling tune that marries blues riffs with swagger, slick spoken word poetry, and New Orleans horns. It’s a song that declares: “Our path may be challenging, but onwards we fight / Watch me grow, watch us grow.”
Francis says:
“Each one of us has the power to create positive change within this world. When people come together, support one another, and love each other, we can accomplish wonders.”
The album also features another sonic firestorm in “Train Coming” with Grammy Nominee Eric Gales, a blues-rock juggernaut that flawlessly electrifies listeners with its power and sizzle; a multifaceted metaphor about shedding one’s burdens and charging ahead towards a brighter future.
For Francis, music is her life, love, and family (quite literally). Her band includes sisters Kharincia Francis (sax), Kira Francis (trombone), Kayla Francis (vocals), and Father Kiran Francis (drums). “I am so lucky to have my family by my side,” she says. “It feels like a dream come true! They are fantastic musicians, and together our music is a reflection of who we are and the values we were raised on. That Love can conquer all.” Other talented members of The Angelique Francis Band on this album include Ed Lister (trumpet), Dave Williamson (electric guitar), and Andrew Knox (trumpet).
Coming off a whirlwind summer with performances at Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival (USA), Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival (QC), Niagara Jazz Festival (ON), Fort Langley Jazz Festival (BC), etc., Angelique and the band will board the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise this September, performing from Seattle to Alaska alongside some of the biggest names in Blues (such as Joe Bonamassa, Marcus King, Little Feat, and many others).
“I can’t wait to bring this new music to people,” she beams. “Every show feels like a homecoming, whether we’re in Toronto or Romania.”
As for what’s next? Francis is set to tour in the fall (including Massey Hall, the Prismatic Arts Festival in Halifax, and Aeolian Hall in London) and is already working on her tour for 2026.
With Not Defeated, Angelique Francis has delivered more than just a record. She’s offered a soundtrack for anyone who’s ever fallen and got back up anyway. “Failure, fear, and pain may come; but as long as we have hope, we will not be defeated.”
Hi, Angelique! Good to see you again! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
Hey, it’s great to see you again as well! Thank you very much for having me.
For you readers out there that aren’t familiar with me, my name is Angelique Francis and I am a Juno award-winning artist, multi genre, multi instrumentalist, singer-songwriter/composer, and bandleader of the international touring band The Angelique Francis band. We were recently named 2024 performers of the year by Folk Canada, and we won the Juno in 2023 for Blues album of the year. We have also won several Canadian Blues Music Awards (Maple Blues Awards), and have been nominated for several Canadian folk Music Awards including the 2025 award for song of the year.
“Not Defeated” frames resilience as a practice—what specific moment unlocked that theme for you?
I know that a lot of people are going through some difficult times right now, and with this album I wanted to create something that would inspire, motivate, and uplift people.
You play upright bass, harp, keys, cigar box guitar—how does each instrument change your writing voice?
Yes, I do, and also on this album I play a variety of other instruments as well including electric bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, organ, lap steel, and even the Keytar! I often choose which instruments to play based on the style a narrative that I’m delivering. This album just like all my others, showcases a collection of songs from multiple different Blues and Blues influenced genres. Each genre and genre fusion has its own unique characteristics and the instrument that I choose to play on each song reflects that.
On “Escape” with Kingfish, where did vulnerability meet virtuosity in the studio?
Thank you very much! With escape we wanted to encourage listeners to create light in the face of darkness. Even if that darkness is themselves. Sometimes we get in our own way, and we get too much into our own heads. But we have the power to pull ourselves out of those hardships.
Blues, soul, gospel, Americana, funk—what’s your glue in the mix so it still feels distinctly “Angelique”?
I think my style is consistent in its diversity. I have so many different writing and performance styles, and that’s what makes my band and I so unique. We like to mix things up! Of course there are musical influences that drive us, such as influences from New Orleans Blues with our horn instrumentation, certain vocal techniques etc, but we are constantly exploring, experimenting, and evolving.
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