Francesca Shanks’ primary instrument is baritone ukulele, but don’t pigeonhole her as a quirky girl who sings cute songs. Shanks’ writing is tight with metaphor and naked with intent, nostalgia and longing, evoking artists like Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, John K. Samson and Kathleen Hanna.

Shanks’ aim is to use songwriting to explore the gray areas integral to our humanity. Her songs are direct and conversational, circling around themes of nature, god, waiting, death and time: Birds swoop through words about love and divination, muddy water carries away lost innocence and the claws of a cat are ridden into the night sky.

Shanks has always been a writer (she’s now logged several years as a reporter, editor and columnist), and spent her early years in various bands, from keyboard-driven no-wave to harmonic freak-folk.

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7-10pm Thursday June 22nd at The Down County Social Club.
beneath The Stagecoach Tavern
864 South Undermountain road ( AKA Rt 41 ) Sheffield, MA
$10 donation for the artists

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The Down County Social Club convenes most Thursdays, featuring a handpicked selection of extraordinary and rare entertainment presented in an intimate New Orleans style speakeasy. Our live performances include music, dance, performance art, poetry and multlimedia works. We also occasionally offer films and academically themed events. Our programming is as eclectic as you can imagine!

For info/directions and dinner reservations at The Stagecoach Tavern, call 413-229-8585

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Also, please check out our DCSC Special Package!