Raised in Los Angeles as the youngest member of a music-filled household, indie folk singer\u002Fsongwriter Robert Francis benefited from a diverse musical climate thanks to his pianist\u002Fproducer father, his songwriting sister Juliette Commagere, and his Mexican mother, who sang native ranchera songs around the house. Family friend and acclaimed stringmaster Ry Cooder gave Francis his first guitar at age nine; seven years later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante accepted Francis as his only guitar.