Though the name Francesca Battistelli might not have reached household familiarity just yet, the singer/songwriter is off to an impressive start with her Fervent Records debut, My Paper Heart.

Not only does the project instantly engage the ears with a piano pop/jazzy acoustic centering a la Sara Bareilles, Nichole Nordeman and even John Mayer, but instantly introduces listeners to her vulnerable thoughts, mixed with hopeful reflections from a firm spiritual foundation.

Despite this being her national debut, the tunesmith is no stranger to the spotlight, already dropping an indie solo disc and previously participating in everything from musical theater to the mainstream girl group Bella. In a recent conversation with CMCentral, Battistelli talks about her varied background and making a current splash with this infectious musical blend and even more moving message.

CMCentral:  What was it like transitioning from the indie world to major label life?

Francesca Battistelli:  The independent route is awesome, and I’m so glad we’re in an age where it’s easier to do it yourself. I definitely learned a lot and paid some dues through college, but the label has been so helpful, and it’s like I’ve got a whole cheerleading team with me every step of the way. Here at Fervent, it’s like a family environment where I’m blessed to have a lot of creative freedom.

CMCentral:  What were your initial goals going into the studio to record My Paper Heart?

Battistelli:  It never turns out the way you originally thought it would, and this recording experience so exceeded my expectations. [Producer] Ian Eskelin has incredible insight and vision. We wanted to make sure everything would still sound good live without sounding too programmed, and it comes across very organic. The other thing is I don’t primarily play piano at a show—usually the acoustic guitar—and we kind of figured it would be more acoustic driven, but the songs wound up still lending themselves to piano.

CMCentral:  Who are your most immediate musical influences?

Battistelli:  I love Nichole Nordeman, and she’s been a huge influence. I’ve only known about Sara Bareilles for a year, but I love her record and those are two great comparisons [of my sound]. I listened to a lot of jazz, R&B and old soul growing up—like Stevie Wonder. John Mayer is also another musical influence. But I wanted to make a record where it doesn’t just sound like someone else and only use them as points of comparison.

CMCentral:  What’s the meaning behind the album’s title?