Frances England made her name writing indie folk songs for children and families, winning recognition and a number of awards, including being shortlisted for a Grammy. But when England worked with John Vanderslice at the iconic Tiny Telephone in San Francisco, a new project was born. Music for adults under the moniker Oscilla, first introduced with debut full-length, Everlasting. A collection of synth-inflected indie folk songs which explored ideas of change and adaptation within life, and how only by embracing such things can we navigate the challenges thrown our way.
England had since come to think the Oscilla project had run its course. “A short lived experiment that took more energy than it gave,” as she described in a recent post. But after a series of chance encounters with old friends and collaborators, including Omar Akrouche (of Worthitpurchase) who offered a chance to record at his backyard studio in Los Angeles, and another who inspired a visual aspect to the project. “I have been experimenting with ‘film soup’,” England explains, “altering the chemical properties of film by soaking it in salt, boiling water, various household liquids to create a collection of images for my new EP.” What emerged was Drink Up the Sun, a new EP that will be released next year which shows there is life in Oscilla yet.
Lead single ‘Tornado’ gives an indication as to what to expect from the release. With England’s vocals and guitar joined by Akrouche’s bass and guitar and Jason Slota’s drums, the song weaves a sound at once dramatic and subtle, evoking the blind violence of its titular phenomenon with understated control. “Watched it burn like a fire / lit up like a wonderous feeling,” as England sings in the opening lines, “watched it take out everything / devastate with no intention.” But the track is more than an experiment in juxtaposition. It soon becomes clear the sound’s quiet sincerity functions something like a plea in the face of elemental danger. An attempt to will oneself onto surer ground.
I keep watching the sky
hoping that the stars will help me
hoping that the wind don’t toss me back
all those hurt feelingsonly want for a steady hand
restless hands don’t make plans
‘Tornado’ is out now and available from the usual places. Drink Up the Sun is set for release in 2024.