FRANCESCA BLANCHARDImagine a mouthful of chilly peppers dipped in maple syrup, and you have Francesca Blanchard. Since the release of her bilingual folk debut Deux Visions in 2015, the Vermont-via-France native has been busy redesigning her wheelhouse. After a year of extensive touring throughout the US and Europe, Blanchard took some time to rediscover what she wanted to say (and how to say it). With powerful vocals and provocatively vulnerable lyrics, Francesca has reclaimed the stage with confidence and charisma. Her newest songs scope a variety of genres and topics, through self-effacing indie-pop with a hint of her acoustic roots. She covers subjects from the madness of social media to the ache of lost love, all the while charming her audience with honest storytelling and a refreshingly personal performance. Blanchard’s newest work is her best and most relatable yet.BROOKE ANNIBALESinger-songwriter/guitarist Brooke Annibale shines by way of her magnetic voice and expressive songwriting capabilities, with influence from her family’s musical history. Originally from Pittsburgh, her family’s creative roots run deep—her grandfather founded a guitar shop and live sound production company, which continues to operate today. Brooke's latest full-length record, Hold to the Light, continues to push sonic boundaries by offering a fusion of textured electronic and traditional (guitar, strings, keys) instrumentation while remaining true to her acoustic beginnings. Produced by Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter, Lake Street Dive) and featuring guest musicians Josh Kaufman (The National), Matt Douglas (Sylvan Esso) and Zach Hickman (Ray Lamontagne, Josh Ritter), Hold to The Light marks several major departures for Brooke in terms of both songwriting and production. Brooke’s thoughtful, layered songwriting anchors the production to explore a range of narratives working through themes of seeking truths, letting go, and reconciling the past with the present.