We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Francesca Fuentes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Francesca, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

I found that there was a lot left to learn about being an artist when I worked as a publicity intern for a literary PR firm called Wunderkind PR. Prior to this experience, I had finished college and was working as a waitress to fund my music career. I did not know what I was going to do now that graduation had passed. I thought staying in food service and simply working on my craft was going to help me get where I wanted to go, but I was wrong. That could only get me so far.

At my internship, I not only made life long friendships and learned valuable, versatile skills, the power of words and the spark of genuine human connection, created a lasting impression on my heart. I fell in love with being the representative of author’s books, securing interviews, events and reviews for other artists. I wasn’t a server anymore. I was a publicist. With all that I was learning, something was shifting inside me. For the first time in my professional life, I felt like I was doing work that mattered. This was not only because of my newfound confidence and strength. It was not only because this experience would help me achieve my dreams someday, but because I was helping others achieve theirs and it was the greatest feeling in the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Francesca Fuentes, a singer / songwriter & author from New Jersey. My first music video for my debut single, “Rock W Me,” was awarded Best Film at the 2019 Lovesick Film Festival in Jersey City. Two years later, my first album “Diary Of Dreams,” was backed up onto a hard drive after the ending of my romantic relationship and long time collaboration with my music producer. Since finishing studio work on my second album, I have begun penning the third. I love to explore variations of pop and rock in my music. My lyrics often include themes of romance, breakups, mental health, artist angst & even my faith. During the day, I teach creative writing & I also work as a music marketing assistant. My hope is that my story will help other women and artists who have struggled with their artistic identities.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The one thing that drives the continuation of my creative journey is the itch to be a voice for others, especially women in the music industry. Unfortunately, the industry is male dominated and there are not enough female voices or producers. Right now, I still have a lot to learn about production, but it is really important to me that I become a resource for other young women trying to find their way in the artistic world. It’s the reason you might find me in a suit and tie on stage or in my videos. I wear that because when I lost my artistic identity, and felt like I needed a man to help me find it, I couldn’t comprehend how on earth women have survived the music industry all of these years. I might never become a real producer, but my drive alone could help inspire others that are experiencing the same thing and that is enough for me to keep going.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I really love the book “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear,” by Elizabeth Gilbert because it perfectly describes me. I usually tell people I love “if you want to understand me better, read that book.” And it’s true because the book offers advice on how to live a healthy creative life rather than a destructive one. Instead of leaning into constant artist angst, Elizabeth really opens your mind to letting go of that suffering so that you can truly delve into the most creative version of yourself with grace and gratitude.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovefrancescafuentes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovefrancescafuentes
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescalonigro/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_6xNHEnUeZTs7ZiFyhIhVQ
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lovefrancescafuentes Image Credits
  All photography by Kris Khunachak
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