L.C. Franke

L.C. Franke is the musical reinvention of Jeff Klein, an Austin-by-way-of-New York indie rocker who spent years acclaimed both as a solo artist and frontman of the Southern gothic soul band My Jerusalem. Drawing inspiration from timeless crooners like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, Franke blends the nostalgic sophistication of classic jazz-pop with his modern sensibilities to create richly orchestrated, mood-driven music. His debut album, *Still In Bloom* (2024), channels this barstool crooner vibe through lush string arrangements and woodwind trills, offering a soundtrack for anxious times with a warm, smoky voice that feels both timeless and personal.

This transformation began during the pandemic after a long hiatus, when asked to compose for a Boston Ballet performance, Franke embraced vintage sounds and the influence of his grandmother’s record collection, adopting the name L.C. Franke as a tribute. Songs like “You and Me and Us Against the World” became emblematic of his fresh artistic approach, mixing cinematic orchestral pop with heartfelt lyricism. Franke has since toured widely, opening for The Walkmen and The Wallflowers, and playing sold-out shows across Austin, Nashville, and beyond, captivating audiences with his nostalgic yet contemporary torch songs.