Fran Carlyon is a songwriter from Southend-on-Sea, England, crafting quiet, home-recorded lo-fi “folk for ages”. Since beginning his musical project in 2023, Fran has shaped a sound that feels both intimate and unguarded -songs that seem to drift from a late-night room out into the wider world, blending quiet strums with gentle storytelling. Away from his recordings, he is very active in the underground independent scene, writing for HeavyMetalKids.uk and DJing at Ship Full Of Bombs, Southend’s alternative radio station. He released seven singles -including, in 2025, Ten Years (demo), Freedom (Or Control) and Sometimes (they just fall out of the sky) / Running On Emptiness – which carry a sense of calm observation, offering moments of stillness that quietly stay with you. Karina Gill (of Cindy, Hospital and Flowertown) said about him: “Fran Carlyon gives his songs space for his own meaning and for us to make our own while not depriving anyone of something pretty too.“
His latest release is Living Your Last Chance, a new single written and recorded at his home between March and April and released just a few days ago. It’s the most beautiful song Fran has written so far. And since he plans to spend the winter in retreat to write more, we’re sure there’s some fantastic news to come.

What Fran Says: “Living Your Last Chance is a fragile reflection on the struggle to forgive oneself and the heavy emotional weight that comes with it. In attempting to add reverb to the keyboard coda I inadvertently drenched the whole track in echo, it leant the recording an ethereal quality that I really enjoyed.”

“A Place To Land was supposed to be a collaboration with a musician friend of mine. Sadly, for reasons I’m not entirely sure of, it never came to pass. I feel there’s still some worth in my original demo, and didn’t want the idea to be lost forever.“

“I have been writing acoustic based songs in the folk tradition for a number of years now, recording them in threadbare fashion in as few takes as possible. For me, capturing the initial spark of inspiration is key, as it conveys the message and meaning in the purest possible way. 
Discovering the lofi Bay Area sounds of the likes of Cindy, Tony Jay and April Magazine in recent years has really resonated. Although somewhat different in form, I feel there is a shared spirit which has given me the confidence to push my own writing further. I now find myself incorporating electronic flourishes into the recordings, adding new textures and fresh dynamics whilst retaining the original spirit of my songwriting. Ever onward, I hope you’ll find something that resonates…
I am currently working on a mini-album that will be out early next year. Whilst similar in style to my previous work, this set will lean deeper into synth and electronic textures.” 

Living Your Last Chance is out now. Look HERE for more information on Fran Carlyon.