Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: Hannah Frances 'Nested in Tangles' in CR5
Date: November 4, 2025
Guest: Hannah Frances, musician

Overview

This episode of All Of It spotlights singer-songwriter Hannah Frances as she discusses her new album, Nested in Tangles. Frances delves into the personal and creative journeys that shaped the album, performing live in studio and sharing insights about her craft, emotional healing, and the practicalities of independent music-making. Host Alison Stewart guides the conversation, inviting listeners into Frances’ world of vulnerability, familial reflection, and musical experimentation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Hannah Frances and Nested in Tangles

• Alison Stewart introduces Frances, referencing critical acclaim from Pitchfork.
• The album is noted for its raw exploration of love, familial dysfunction, and personal growth.
• Frances’ expanding musical interests and influences since her previous album, Keeper of the Shepherd, are highlighted.

  “Frances’ musical action mirrors the personal quest that makes Nested In Tangle so compelling … to outstrip the woe and grief of her upbringing to become more than such a life should allow.” — Alison Stewart quoting Pitchfork (00:37)

2. In-Studio Performance: "Falling from and Further"

• Hannah and her band perform the track live.
• The performance features harmonization with saxophone, clarinet, and bass.
• The song is praised by Alison as her favorite from the album.

  “This is my favorite song.” — Alison Stewart (01:22)

Notable Musicians Introduced:

• Sarah Claussen (woodwinds: saxophone & clarinet)
• Meredith Nesbitt (bass) (06:26–06:39)

3. Creative Process and Themes Behind the Album

• Frances describes writing the album during a turbulent period (2023–2024), channeling her experiences with family conflict and self-reflection.

• Central theme: working through patterns from her upbringing, particularly around intimacy and trust.

• Songwriting is likened to assembling a puzzle, starting with guitar before weaving in narrative lyrics and melodies.

• The process is described as emotional, diaristic, and metaphorical.

  “It was just this huge confluence of very entangled experiences. So yeah, this metaphor of a nest and…the family and safety and then entanglement, and how…releasing yourself from a lot of patterns and pain…” — Hannah Frances (08:26–09:00)

  “All of my songs definitely start on guitar. That kind of creates the foundation for everything else... Especially when I’m depending on what I’m moving through, whether that’s sorrow... or anxiety... that kind of informs what I’m…what I like.” — Hannah Frances (09:40–10:09)

  “It’s a very nebulous, magical process…It does feel like putting a puzzle together.” — Hannah Frances (10:49–10:51)

4. The Impact of Place and Seasonal Rhythms on Creativity

• Frances connects her songwriting cycle to the seasons, with her deepest writing occurring in winter while living in Vermont.

• Vermont offers her solitude and connection to nature, contrasting with the creative pressures and constant noise of cities such as Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

  “Living outside of the city, you really can connect with the cycles of the year… I struggled with my creative process when I lived in cities.” — Hannah Frances (12:43–13:14)

  “Vermont, I’m like, you know, I see like four people a week and the same four people every single week. And so it’s a nice, small… small world, which I really like.” — Hannah Frances (13:33–13:55)

5. In-Studio Performance: "Steady in the Hand" (14:21–19:54)

• A second live song, highlighting emotional vulnerability and the interplay of lyrical and instrumental refinement.

6. Independent Release Journey and Artist Advice

• Frances recounts her experiences self-releasing albums, emphasizing the administrative, promotional, and storytelling skills involved. Even with a label, most work remains on her.
• Advice to other artists: Be your own fiercest advocate.

  “No one will believe in your project more than you… you have to keep that, I don’t know, the momentum and keep that fire burning, if that makes sense.” — Hannah Frances (21:28–21:57)

7. Touring and Musical Collaboration

• The fulfillment Frances finds in expanding her live performances, especially with other musicians.
• National Sawdust show to feature a 10-piece ensemble, her “fullest vision” for the music.

  “The best part of playing my music is playing with other people…The collaborative aspect of this record…That's the best part of my life, just in general.” — Hannah Frances (22:13–23:09)

8. In-Studio Performance: "Life's Work" (23:21–26:36)

• Third and final live song from Nested in Tangles.
• The lyrics (particularly “Learning to trust in spite of it is life's work”) echo the central motifs of familial healing and resilience.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Life’s work, if you will.” — Hannah Frances on processing family and self (09:08)
• “Sometimes it's very emotional. And then I reach a point where it's just pretty intellectual, where I'm just like, this makes sense… I just write diaristically, but also metaphorically in lots of ways.” — Hannah Frances (10:55–11:09)
• “As much as you can believe in your project, because no one will believe in your project more than you.” — Hannah Frances (21:28)
• "Learning to trust in spite of it is life's work." — Live lyric, “Life’s Work” performance (24:10–25:56)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:09–01:20: Episode intro and album announcement
• 01:20–06:15: "Falling from and Further" (live performance)
• 06:15–08:26: Band member introductions & early album discussion
• 08:26–14:04: Creative process, family conflict, and songwriting routines
• 14:21–19:54: "Steady in the Hand" (live performance)
• 20:07–21:21: Navigating album releases, independent vs. label
• 21:21–23:13: Advice for emerging artists & performance insights
• 23:21–26:36: "Life's Work" (live performance)
• 26:58–27:13: Closing thanks and next show reminder

Conclusion

This episode offers a profound look at Hannah Frances's artistry and personal growth, marked by evocative songwriting and a deep commitment to both her own vision and collaborative music-making. With raw performances and candid reflections, Frances invites listeners into her process—one shaped by family, solitude, and the seasons of both nature and life.