VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
Francis Baptiste using music to share ‘Lived Experience in East Vancouver’
Francis Baptiste using music to share ‘Lived Experience in East Vancouver’
Francis Baptiste using music to share ‘Lived Experience in East Vancouver’
Monday 18th August 2025
Francis Baptiste uses music to share his journey through addiction, offering hope and connection to others. Discover his album 'Lived Experience in East Vancouver'.
52 minutes
hopeful
challenging
reflective
vulnerable
inspirational
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Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Community & Support Networks
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Get the buttons here!Francis Baptiste: Music, Addiction & Healing
Episode Overview
- Francis Baptiste uses music to confront addiction.
- His album 'Lived Experience in East Vancouver' releases in October.
- Songs reflect struggles of fatherhood and cultural identity.
- Music aims to break stigma and connect with others.
- Upcoming single 'Rent Free in My Mind' celebrates love.
I think addiction is something that thrives in secrecy and in stigma, and if you don't talk about it and if you don't open up about it, then we all end up just kind of suffering in silence.
Francis Baptiste, a Vancouver-based indigenous singer-songwriter, is using his musical talents to confront and share his experiences with addiction and life challenges. Having lived in Vancouver for 20 years after growing up on the Osuyus Indian Band Reservation, Baptiste's music reflects his personal journey and struggles, offering listeners a chance to connect and find solace in shared experiences. His forthcoming album, 'Lived Experience in East Vancouver', marks his third musical release and is set to debut in October.
The album is deeply personal, focusing on themes of addiction, fatherhood, and cultural reclamation. Throughout his career, Baptiste has been transparent about his experiences as a struggling single father and musician, and his songs offer a raw, honest look into his life. Baptiste emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding addiction, stating that secrecy only exacerbates the issue.
By openly discussing his struggles through music, he hopes to inspire others to share their stories and seek connection, thus reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. In addition to addressing addiction, Baptiste's music delves into the challenges of balancing fatherhood and a musical career, especially during turbulent times. His new album explores these themes, aiming to move beyond past struggles and embrace personal growth.
The upcoming single, 'Rent Free in My Mind', provides a bright spot on the album, celebrating the love and support of his partner, Brittany Graham. The song, along with its charming music video, showcases the happiness Baptiste has found amidst his challenges. Francis Baptiste's work is a testament to the power of music in healing and connecting people. As he continues to evolve as an artist, his music remains a beacon of hope and understanding for those facing similar challenges.