Meet Faith Duplinsky of Faith Francis Music in North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Faith Duplinsky.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Faith. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
The road has had its ups and downs. I never truly unearthed what music would be to me until I felt unable to express what was going on in my life when I found myself in an abusive relationship. It’s a tricky thing to explain. How could you love someone so indiscriminately when they were so damaging both physically and emotionally?

I would go home and sit there looking down at the piano keys, waiting in the quiet, eventually, a phrase of notes or line of lyrics would strike a chord in me. The numbness went away, and I could unearth a feeling. Music was freeing while the rest of my life just seemed to fall into complete inertia. That was my only escape for a long time. Eventually, though, I would get my “dream” job working at a top dressage barn, and I moved away and never looked back. That’s how it seemed then.

Two weeks into the job, I was handling a stallion. There was an accident, and I suffered a pretty serious concussion. In recovery, I started suffering from PTSD as well. It was debilitating to relive my traumas at times and places it just didn’t make any sense. I would be stuck in nightmares and triggered throughout the day. It took a long time to admit to this or even to understand. It was like all of my shame was just spilling out, and I had a hard time asking for help. I had to stop pushing my issues down and deal.

In the meantime, that’s when I picked up the guitar—in recovery. I had to tell my story some way. Music offered me some peace. I would like to say that’s what got me here, but I made a few more wrong destinations before I landed out in LA. I always moved forward with the best intentions, but unfortunately, I was a bit blinded by hope that I could just decide how and when things would change. Adversity has given me a strong voice since however, and I am very grateful for that.  It’s so important to me to tell my story and write songs that make people feel something. It’s a terrible thing to go numb or feel alone in this life, and my music reminds me that you can connect. To music, everything starts to make sense.

Has it been a smooth road?
I am completely self-taught and completely incorrigible. It’s a difficult combination. I also have found that when life gets scary, I’ve lost a lot of people and opportunities I care very deeply about. That’s been extremely difficult. It’s hard to tell people the truth. And it’s hard to have the kind of momentum I’ve had since moving beyond my trials and tribulations. People see a fire, and they go the other direction.

I am however very grateful for the people that have stayed or met me and see the vision and the crazy dream. I took a job out here, moved on blind faith 3,000 miles away from home and family and comfort, and a week in my boss told me, “don’t think you’re special.” And I think what she meant to say was, “don’t think you’re perfect…” but I agreed with her—nobody is. I’m only human, and I will continuously be life’s student. I have to laugh though [at the not special comment] because I know you’re not going to meet anyone like me. You’re just not.

I think becoming an advocate and being strong for others is something I have learned to appreciate and reciprocate. So for that, I am lucky. I feel like the more understanding we have of one another, the more we can accept and feel safe; the more we can challenge and learn from one another. It’s difficult not to make that connection. That’s the hardest part.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I wish I could go back to being a full-time dressage trainer and riding instructor. Through much adversity, I still was very happy and satisfied with that work. I liked the challenge of running my own business, as it was always changing and ever-growing. I also love how horses meet you in the work too, and I have been very fortunate to meet some wonderful people along the way!

I love being a songwriter too though! Performing is a very good place for me to be. I thrive in that high pressure environment. It’s good to have that adrenaline rush right before; to feel that fire that defines you and expresses who you are all at once! My life is really fulfilled by one thing: connection.

I feel like I’m stretched across two very different lifestyles. That’s what makes it tricky, but in my heart of hearts, I’m always going to go above and beyond. I love immensely, and I do what I do out of love. I’d go to the moon and back for anyone, or any cause I felt was right. It makes me a fierce performer, friend, ally, artist, horse-person and writer.

I think that’s what sets me apart. It’s like music has been there for me when I’ve been told no or rejected by the universe. Horses are my lifelong passion. I am grounded in a lot of self-realizations and purpose in what I actively do, not just how I feel on the inside. That can be too much at times, but I’m grateful to have both talents in my life. If only they didn’t leave me so poor! At least, if nothing else, I have dreams and things in my life that make me happy and always pursuing more.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is so full of inspiration and different perspectives. As an artist, you will never go hungry out here! There is so much to explore and so many ways to connect in its communities. You just have to go for it!

Contact Info:

• Website: faithfrancis.com
• Phone: 2074009735
• Email: faith.duplinsky@maine.edu
• Instagram: @youvefoundfaith
• Facebook: @faithfrancismusic

Image Credit:
Savannah Daras, Cheron Christine

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