Blog Cabin - Ariel Franz

NEW SONG - Heart on Down

Music won’t go looking for you, you have to find it, so work hard and always do your best by giving your everything into your music - Ariel Franz

Ariel recently recorded a video for her song "I Wouldn't Go Anywhere" soon to be released by Clarksville Creative Sound.

ARIEL FRANZ CONTINUES SHOOTING FOR THE STARS

By David C. Lannan 

Ariel Franz has been performing since she was about 5 years old when she began participating in IPOP (International Presentation of Performers) competitions. She was involved in acting, modeling and singing at IPOP, receiving many awards over the years. But singing is her passion. And she has performed at events throughout the greater Phoenix area. Her passion for music has resulted in several original singles plus an EP and she continues releasing new music with her new label, Clarksville Creative Sound (CCS).

Ariel recently released her first traditional country song, “Heart on Down,” and a music video for “I Wouldn’t Go Anywhere.” Ariel was discovered at a Josie Music Awards event when Curt Ryle, co-owner of CCS and producer, heard her sing on stage. He was there with other artists for his label and decided Ariel was the right fit for the CCS family of artists. “I saw her perform at an event in Nashville and was mezmorized by her voice,” Curt said. “She's only 13 so she has plenty of time to mature as an artist but I see Ariel being a huge star one day,” he said in a 2024 interview.

I exchanged emails with Ariel to get an update on what she has been doing lately. Here’s our Q&A session.

Q&A WITH ARIEL FRANZ

DL: You recently spent time in Tennessee working with your producer Curt Ryle. How many songs have you recorded with Curt since you met him? 

AF: With Curt, I’ve recorded around a whole album and six other songs. 

DL: Of the songs you have released so far, which was your favorite and why? 

AF: I really like “I Will Remember You” because it was the first song I recorded with Curt, and it’s held a special place in my heart since. 

DL: What is it like to work with Curt Ryle? 

AF: It was an awesome experience to work with Curt Ryle and getting to record in his studio. He’s very funny and is a great music producer. 

DL: Do you enjoy being in the studio or would you rather be on stage performing? Why?

AF: I would rather be on stage performing because when I sing, even if it’s in the studio, I’m always picturing myself on stage and I would love for it to actually become a reality. 

DL: How often do you practice your singing? 

AF: I practice singing everyday for 1-4 hours depending on what I’m musically involved in that day. 

DL: Have you written any of your own songs or are you working on some? What inspires you when you write? 

AF: I've written one song that is not released yet, and when I’m writing, I like to write about personal experiences.

DL: You sing pop, country pop and traditional country. Do you have any plans to try country gospel or any other genres? If yes, why? 

AF: I would love to try country gospel because God definitely deserves the glory and I can teach people about Jesus Christ through my music career.

DL: Who are you listening to and why? 

AF: For country, I like people like LeAnn Rimes, Morgan Wallen, Patsy Cline, and Kasey Musgraves because I love their voices and their songs are really fun to sing. 

DL: If you could open for anyone you could, who would it be and why? 

AF: If I could open for anyone, it would literally be anyone. I don’t mind who it would be, if they wanted me to open for them, especially if it would benefit both of us. I just want to have a good time. 

DL: Is there anyplace where you would most like to perform and why? 

AF: As I said earlier, I would enjoy performing on stage because it’s always been a dream of mine and a goal since I was little. 

DL: Are you working solo? Is there a band in your future? 

AF: I’m part of Clarksville Creative Sound with other young and amazing country artists, but my songs will mostly be solo with hopefully a few collaborations in the future. 

DL: Do you plan to learn any instruments, if so why and what instrument? 

AF: I really want to learn how to play the piano because it would be beneficial for my music career, get me more musically involved, I love the sound of a piano, and it seems really enjoyable. 

DL: How does it feel to have your own music videos? 

AF: It feels nice to have music videos because it lets me act out my songs and grow closer to them. It’s also fun to just record in different places. 

DL: What was it like to work with Lucas Ciliberti on your music videos? 

AF: It was exciting and a great experience. I would like to do more videos with him in the future. 

DL: Are there plans to audition for American Idol or AGT? Do you think it would benefit your future career?

AF: If I could get into American Idol or AGT, I’m sure it would be extremely beneficial, but I don’t have any sappy stories to actually make an audition. 

DL: Purely random. If you could be any kind of animal what would it be and why? 

AF: I would probably be a bird so I can fly around the world and have a lot of bird friends while spectating humans from afar. 

DL: What advice do you have for anyone in pursuing a music career? 

AF: You may feel like you’re not getting anywhere, or you have no chance, or your songs won’t be good enough, or maybe you think you’re not good enough, but with a whole lot of practice, prayer, and eagerness, it may push you just enough to make it. And if [you] don’t feel that eagerness, maybe it just wasn’t for you, but if you do have it, you have a good chance so be patient. Music won’t go looking for you, you have to find it, so work hard and always do your best by giving your everything into your music.

DL: What is your favorite song - from all the songs you have recorded before CCS up to now and why? 

AF: I would say “Habits” because I like the beat and message it portrays. I also think it’s one of the best quality songs compared to my other pop songs. It’s also just fun to sing and reminds me of the artist Lvly. 

DL: Do you think you will go on tour someday? Where would you like to go first? 

AF: I would be ecstatic to go on tour someday. Either it would be Arizona, which is the state I was born in. Nashville, because thats where I recorded my country songs, or LA for a bigger audience and more exposure. 

DL: Any other future goals you want to share with readers? 

AF: It might seem like something that would be almost impossible, but I would really like to become famous before the end of high school because my younger self always prayed for it and I would make her proud, and to become one of the biggest global icons.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

As an indie artist, Ariel, like everyone else relies on fans, friends and family to promote her and her songs. One of the best ways to help her, she says, would be to buy her songs from i2irecords.com. She gets half of every sale.

Ariel has appeared in many radio interviews including two with Tim Kelly on KICR and one of her videos was posted on ICTV (Indie Country TV), a Tim Kelly project.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND ARIEL?

Website: www.arielfranzmusic.com

YouTube: ArielFranzVEVO & Ariel Franz-Topic

Social Media: Find her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

BOOKING ARIEL

If you would like to book Ariel for your fair, festival or other special event, contact Jeannie at (623) 229-2413

FOR INTERVIEWS OR GUEST APPEARANCES

If you would like to interview Ariel for your publication or station, or arrange or an appearance on your show, contact David C. Lannan, dlannan@LFE.design. We can also provide a story for you if desired.

In addition to writing this blog for KICR, David C. Lannan is a freelance writer with feature stories published across the country. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for The Branson Opry. If you would like to be considered for a future blog, send your contact info and links to your music to dlannan@LFE.design.