Exposed Vocals Interview: Frankie Raye on Touring, Songwriting, and Breaking Boundaries in Music
Frankie Raye is an artist who knows no limits when it comes to pushing forward in her career. From gracing the stage at legendary venues like The Bitter End in New York City to captivating sold-out crowds at songwriter festivals, she has proven time and again that her music resonates across audiences and borders. Her witty, unapologetic songwriting style has earned her both praise and critique, but in true Frankie Raye fashion, she remains steadfast in her artistic vision. Whether performing at major industry events like the NAMM Show or making waves with her latest single, Foot in Mouth, she continues to carve her own path in the music world with authenticity and drive.
In this exclusive Exposed Vocals interview, Frankie Raye takes us behind the scenes of her whirlwind career. She shares insights on her experiences playing high-profile gigs, her passion for songwriting, and the creative risks she’s taking with her upcoming EP. From performing at the Florida State Fair to landing unexpected moments on The Daily Show, Frankie gives us a glimpse into the highs, the surprises, and the lessons learned along the way. Get ready to dive into an unfiltered conversation with an artist who refuses to stand still.
Exposed Vocals: You just performed at the Florida State Fair—how was that experience, and how does it compare to some of your other performances?
Frankie Raye: The experience at the fair was so memorable! Being on a stage with hundreds of people walking by to watch made this performance so different from my usual experience of playing to smaller groups. The sets were only 45 minutes each, and I had a 2-hour break in between. This was great because I was able to walk around the fair or relax in the “green room” that the fair provided me. I also was able to have a special vendor pass, so it was nice being able to drive to a special lot and enter the fair through the “back door.” It was fun seeing what the fair looks like behind the scenes. There was also a sound engineer, so I didn’t have to bring any of my sound gear. That was a nice change!
Exposed Vocals: You’ve played at The Bitter End in New York City multiple times. What keeps bringing you back to that iconic venue, and what does performing there mean to you?
Frankie Raye: The Bitter End has become my home away from home. It is so rewarding playing all original music, and it’s even more rewarding to see the audience listen to every song. There is no talking during the performances, so you know everyone there is fully devoted to the performers. Performing at The Bitter End means so much to me because of the history. It’s wild to be performing on the same stage as legends such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, Neil Diamond… the list goes on! The venue also has hosted more current-day performers, such as Norah Jones, Blues Traveler, Billy Joel, and Tracy Chapman (really, the list of famous performers goes on!). You can feel the energy and history as soon as you walk into the building. I am so blessed to have an iconic venue like that to go to whenever I feel like getting away from my usual Florida beach shows. It’s also nice getting to know many of the NYC songwriters because it creates opportunities to perform at other NYC venues in the future.
Exposed Vocals: Last time you were in NYC, you ended up in a segment on The Daily Show! How did that come about, and what was it like seeing yourself on national TV?
Frankie Raye: Oh my gosh, that was so surprising and fun! I was literally just walking around the city with my guitar on my back. A producer from the show stopped me and told me that they were filming a segment talking to females in the city. She told me Michelle Wolfe (comedian and correspondent on the show) would be conducting the interview. I answered a few very random questions; I couldn’t really figure out where the interview was going because they were questions about work history, personal opinions on various topics, favorite foods, etc. The producer asked if he could get footage of me playing my guitar. It happened so fast! As I was getting my guitar out, Jon Stewart himself came up to chat with the crew. I couldn’t believe Jon Stewart was standing right in front of me! Apparently, he was just walking around town and happened to pass by the area where we were filming. All in all, it was a totally random and exciting experience that I didn’t expect!
Exposed Vocals: You’re currently writing new music with plans to record this summer. Can you give us a sneak peek into what themes or sounds you’re exploring in your new songs?
Frankie Raye: My upcoming project is an EP I am working on with my partner and bass player, Brandon Freitag. The project is called B-Sides the Point, and the idea is to release a few songs we started working on during the pandemic. These songs sound nothing like the songs I’ve released in the past; they have more of an electronic/funk sound, whereas the music I release under my usual “Frankie Raye” brand is more in the pop/rock/folk realm. Brandon and I made a lot of tracks via GarageBand during the COVID-19 lockdowns, but none of the songs seemed polished or finished enough to release as singles. The tracks sounded, as the title suggests, “B-side” tracks. We were inspired by Bob Schneider because he always releases music in different genres. He doesn’t concern himself with being on-brand (and, in the music industry, many labels and managers suggest finding a single brand to follow). I find that very inspiring, so I figured, “Why not just release songs that are different from my usual brand, and just refer to it as being ‘besides the point’ of what I usually do?” That’s how the title came about.
Exposed Vocals: Performing at the NAMM Show and the House of Blues in Anaheim is a huge deal. How did those opportunities come about, and what did you take away from that experience?
Frankie Raye: I got into the NAMM show in 2018 with a company called Elite Acoustics. Because of that relationship, we were able to attend the show again in 2019 and 2020. During the first two years, we met some musicians who played around the Los Angeles area, and one of them was hosting a songwriting showcase at the House of Blues in Anaheim. They invited me to perform at the showcase in 2020. It was so great getting to play a full show of original music at such a great venue! And for the NAMM Show, I applied online to perform a showcase, and I got chosen to play a set on the Yamaha Stage, also in 2020. I think what I took away from that experience was just how many talented people there are in the world and how lucky I am to be in a position where I can meet and interact with other songwriters who are as passionate as I am about sharing music.
Exposed Vocals: With an average of 334 shows per year from 2021-2023, your work ethic is incredible. How do you maintain that kind of schedule, and what drives you to keep pushing forward?
Frankie Raye: 2021 was such a crazy year because we had just dealt with all of the shutdowns in 2020, so when it was time to book for 2021, I think a lot of places (particularly around the beaches) were so anxious to get live music back. I was in a position where I was afraid to say “No” to opportunities because I was so scared that I would lose those places again. Looking back, I am actually not sure how I managed all of that! The downside was that I put my original music on hold and didn’t have time to write any songs or release any music. The plus side was I realized that I need to take more time for myself and not book so many shows in a month so I can focus on songwriting and working on my personal brand. I love the business side of music, too—I love booking, organizing schedules, sending emails, etc. I think most of my drive comes from just loving what I do.
Exposed Vocals: You have artist deals with G7th Capos and Mogami Cables. How did those partnerships come about, and how do those brands support your music?
Frankie Raye: Both of those endorsement deals came from attending the NAMM show. With the help of Bruce Wawrzyniak from Now Hear This, I was able to meet representatives from both companies, and I was able to show them how often I use their products. They recognized that I was serious about my career, and they agreed to take me on as one of their featured artists. G7th Capos has so many opportunities for musicians—they are always featuring artists on their social media pages, and Tommy at G7th Capos has shared my music many times on their pages.
Exposed Vocals: Songwriting is such a personal process. What inspires your lyrics, and do you have a particular song that you’re most proud of?
Frankie Raye: My lyrics usually come all at once—I start thinking deeply about how I feel at the moment, and often just write a stream-of-consciousness type of poem, and then I go back and tweak it to fit the melody and rhythm of the song. I’m most proud of “Foot in Mouth”—it’s not one of my most popular songs, but the lyrics come from such a personal place about my frustrations with feeling like I am not good enough to keep going. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but the message of that song was to just stay on your path and be proud of the small milestones—even if everyone around seems like they are more accomplished. You don’t have to be #1 to keep going—you can still create your own version of success even if you maybe don’t have as many followers or streams as the next person. That song just means so much to me because it’s so honest and real, yet it’s hopeful at the same time.
Exposed Vocals: You’ve played everywhere from casinos to songwriter festivals to massive industry events. Do you have a favorite type of venue to perform in, or does each setting bring something unique?
Frankie Raye: Each setting definitely brings something unique. The songwriter festivals are probably my favorite just because you get to meet so many legendary songwriters, and you get to watch them perform in intimate settings. It’s fun to hear the stories behind their songs. I also enjoy my normal beach gigs, though, because they are laid back and I get to just experiment with new songs and spend time with locals who are just out to relax and have a good time. Corporate shows are also fun because you usually get to perform at a place you’ve never been to—a few weeks ago, I was able to perform at Raymond James Stadium (home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) for a corporate event, and it was exciting because I never thought I’d be able to perform at a place like that.
Exposed Vocals: What’s next for Frankie Raye? Any upcoming performances, collaborations, or personal goals you’re excited about?
Frankie Raye: Right now my focus is on my upcoming experimental EP, B-Sides the Point. I’m just having so much fun taking on a producer role and creating a record all on my own, rather than going to a studio. For personal goals, I’d like to continue to find ways to get more opportunities for my original music; I’ve been doing a lot of research about licensing and sync deals, and I’d love to start working on finding TV/Movie placements for my music. I have a performance at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino next month, and I’m looking forward to returning to that venue. Of course, aside from my experimental EP, I also plan on writing new music that sticks to my usual brand of pop/folk/rock, and I also would like to return to NYC this year and try to find a few new venues to play!
As Frankie Raye continues to push forward with her music, there’s no telling what exciting milestones lie ahead. Whether she’s performing on legendary stages, crafting deeply personal lyrics, or experimenting with new sounds, one thing remains clear—she is an artist who stays true to herself. With her upcoming EP B-Sides the Point, ongoing live performances, and a relentless passion for her craft, Frankie’s journey is far from over. Keep up with her latest projects, shows, and releases at www.FrankieRaye.com and follow her on social media @FrankieRayeMusic. Stay tuned, because Frankie Raye is just getting started!
