Francesca Battistelli Biography

If We're Honest, the gorgeous, soulful, and openhearted third album by Christian music sensation Francesca Battistelli, a GRAMMY® Award candidate and six-time Dove Award winner, is a truly honest and compelling piece of work that vividly reflects the 28-year-old singer-own songwriter's path. “I absolutely believe the albums I've created have captured my journey from being a young lady to becoming a young mother,” says Battistelli. “My Paper Heart, I had recently graduated from college and relocated to Nashville. I was single and had no idea what was ahead of me. On the record, I believe you can hear my searching. There are many songs about trust and attempting to figure out what God was going to accomplish in my life. Of course, with My Paper Heart, Battistelli was on his way to a fantastic and inspiring success story, reaching #1 on the Christian charts in 2008 and cracking the Top 40 on the Billboard Top 200 mainstream charts as well. Battistelli's first success was "I'm Letting Go," and "Free To Be Me" got her a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Gospel Performance. Battistelli was already a well-known Christian music artist by the time she released her sophomore album, Hundred More Years, in 2011. “By then, I found myself on this really thrilling wild train,” she says. I had recently married, and we were expecting our first kid. Life was a little crazy back then, and I believe it shows on the record, which is a little more serious. On that record, you can hear me attempting to make sense of it all, or at least doing my best.” Hundred More Years would go on to be a huge success, with another #1 album on the Christian list and a Top Twenty hit on the secular charts. If We're Honest is Battistelli's most intimate and accomplished musical statement to date. “This record is a really accurate depiction of where I am right now,” she explains. “My family and I returned to Nashville in May, and I immediately began writing for this record. After that notoriously scary second album and all that was going on at the time, it seemed like the pressure was off. This time, I simply let go of all the self-imposed pressure. I felt as though I didn't have to prove myself as much, even to myself, and I believe it helped me to perform my finest work.” If We're Honest reunited Battistelli with her longtime producer and trusted colleague Ian Eskelin. “All of my recordings have been produced by Ian. His artistry never ceases to wow me. We've come a long way in the last six years, and he pushed this record to new heights.” Working in Nashville with many of the same musicians who have been on her past albums was much more casual this time. “Since we returned to Nashville, I didn't have as many time limitations. When we lived in Atlanta, I would spend four or five days in Nashville writing. It seemed as though they were saying, "Be imaginative!" ... and GO!” This time, the procedure felt more like a routine task. For the first time as a mother, I was able to leave at 9 a.m., return at 4 p.m., prepare supper for the kids, and tuck them in. It was a much simpler process for me, and I believe it shows on the record. I've gotten a better grip on parenting now, and this record has a lot more energy and enthusiasm, which was much needed.” If We're Honest also has a wider rhythmic range than Battistelli's earlier work, which she says may be influenced by her relationship with her husband, drummer Matthew Goodwin. “I did talk rhythmically broadening my horizons a little on this record, and a lot of that debate occurred because I'm married to a drummer,” she says. “I am paying more attention to drum patterns than ever before. On this project, I especially wanted to experiment with a wide range of musicians.” Indeed, while she is thrilled to be a major Christian recording artist, Battistelli is pleased to see her musical message resonate with a wide range of music fans. “Some of the most inspirational moments are when someone approaches you and says, ‘I wasn't a believer until I heard your music on a TV show or playing in a store, and it inspired me to seek you up, find your music, and finally find the Lord.' Sometimes they simply remark, 'Your music helped me get through a tough period.' That is what it is all about for me.” “Anytime you can get your music in places where it may not typically be found, positive things happen,” says Battistelli. I recently made my Grand Ole Opry debut. It meant a lot to me since I adore the people who come to my performances to see me and are eager to sing along with me. But it was also great to be able to communicate with so many individuals who had no idea who I was. It was really satisfying when the music connected. I was a complete "newbie" at the Opry, and being well greeted meant a lot to me. Stretching is beneficial to artists, in my opinion.” So, does Battistelli mind if sinners listen to her music? “If sinners weren't listening to my music, there wouldn't be anybody listening to my music,” the singer chuckles, before explaining, “There wouldn't be anyone listening to my music if sinners weren't listening to my music.”

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