01Profile
A Clare Frances Photo
Clare Frances
Tattooer — London
03Interview
Name, what do you do?
Clare Frances, Tattooer, London
Where are you from?
I grew up in Staines, a place where dreams go to die on the M25
Describe your style in 3 words
Rebellious, Dark and DIY
How does living in London/UK affect your work?
London has always been my home, having run away for some years, the last two years have felt like a homecoming and forced me to face myself. As much as I have always had a love/hate relationship with it, London is where I can be myself.
What's the best thing about being a tattoo artist in 2016?
It feels like there are big things happening in tattooing right now, being part of it is both scary and exciting. Social media has also made the world much smaller for tattooers, I'm not sure how long it will last but right now it's amazing.
How would you describe your tattoo style?
I take a lot of influence from DIY/punk, not just visually but also in the way I work. I like dark, rough themes but also really enjoy more delicate tattoos and experimenting with script. I don't want to limit myself to one look, but to explore themes through my work. They will always have my style as long as I put my hand to them.
Tell us the story behind your favourite tattoo?
I can't choose a favourite! I recently got my knee tattooed from Alex Binnie, so that's my favourite one right now.
How did you get into tattooing?
I was lucky enough to do an old school apprenticeship in New Zealand.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Modern Life Is War and Converge at the mean fiddler, it blew my teenage mind wide open.
What was the last album you bought?
Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
Is there a song you like that people wouldn't expect?
Celine Dion in general
What music did you listen to growing up?
As a kid I loved pop and RnB
Who do you listen to in your studio?
We all like totally different music so it's all over the place but when I'm DJing, it's Rihanna, All Saints, Missy Elliot, Mykki Blanco, Deathgrips etc
First song you played on repeat?
Bat Out of hell - Meatloaf (from the first album I ever owned)
A song from your favourite album?
Farewell - American Nightmare
A song you wish you had written?
Suck My Left One - Bikini Kill
A music icon that has inspired you?
Courtney Love
A song lyric that has inspired you.
It's Britney Bitch
What music did you listen to growing up?
As a teenager I was obsessed with MTV2 and MTVBase.
Blind - Korn + Still D.R.E - Dr Dre
03Interview
Name, what do you do?
Clare Frances, Tattooer, London
Where are you from?
I grew up in Staines, a place where dreams go to die on the M25
Describe your style in 3 words
Rebellious, Dark and DIY
How does living in London/UK affect your work?
London has always been my home, having run away for some years, the last two years have felt like a homecoming and forced me to face myself. As much as I have always had a love/hate relationship with it, London is where I can be myself.
What's the best thing about being a tattoo artist in 2016?
It feels like there are big things happening in tattooing right now, being part of it is both scary and exciting. Social media has also made the world much smaller for tattooers, I'm not sure how long it will last but right now it's amazing.
How would you describe your tattoo style?
I take a lot of influence from DIY/punk, not just visually but also in the way I work. I like dark, rough themes but also really enjoy more delicate tattoos and experimenting with script. I don't want to limit myself to one look, but to explore themes through my work. They will always have my style as long as I put my hand to them.
Tell us the story behind your favourite tattoo?
I can't choose a favourite! I recently got my knee tattooed from Alex Binnie, so that's my favourite one right now.
How did you get into tattooing?
I was lucky enough to do an old school apprenticeship in New Zealand.
04Playlist Notes
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Modern Life Is War and Converge at the mean fiddler, it blew my teenage mind wide open.
What was the last album you bought?
Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
Is there a song you like that people wouldn't expect?
Celine Dion in general
What music did you listen to growing up?
As a kid I loved pop and RnB
Who do you listen to in your studio?
We all like totally different music so it's all over the place but when I'm DJing, it's Rihanna, All Saints, Missy Elliot, Mykki Blanco, Deathgrips etc
First song you played on repeat?
Bat Out of hell - Meatloaf (from the first album I ever owned)
A song from your favourite album?
Farewell - American Nightmare
A song you wish you had written?
Suck My Left One - Bikini Kill
A music icon that has inspired you?
Courtney Love
A song lyric that has inspired you.
It's Britney Bitch
What music did you listen to growing up?
As a teenager I was obsessed with MTV2 and MTVBase.
Blind - Korn + Still D.R.E - Dr Dre