This weeks Flow Feature is on Pauline Mancini (17 years old) from France. Pauline first discovered Florence + The Machine by total chance, but she still remembers the moment like it was yesterday.

At the time Pauline was going through a very difficult time and felt alone and misunderstood. She had been separated from her twin sister who was very ill at the time. 

The first song she heard by Florence + The Machine was ‘Only If For A Night’, which she described as a revelation, something that she had never felt before in her life. After this she became obsessed with all Florence + The Machine songs which made her feel better, despite all the sadness in her heart and in her life. The day after her birthday Ceremonials was released, which she bought immediately.

Although Pauline was always fascinated by music, she had never thought she could sing or play an instrument. Florence being her main influence, Pauline began to play on an old ukulele and started to compose her own songs. If it hadn’t been for Florence + The Machine, Pauline believes she never would have had the courage to sing.

Pauline is now very proud to say that she has since become a singer and been played on many radio stations based in France. She will soon be performing at a big festival, and is currently working on an album alongside other musicians.

Pauline will soon attend her first Florence + The Machine concert in Luxembourg on November 28th. She can’t wait for the experience and to finally see the band that changed her life and helped her find her way in her life. Thanks to Florence + The Machine she has met many wonderful people around the world. She feels that all Florence + The Machine fans are like a big family, which she is very proud to be a part of.

Her sister has since some a long way with her recovery and now Pauline is starting a beautiful career in music. She thinks that Florence is an angel and that fate decreed that Pauline discover her. She hopes to one day meet Florence and the other band members in person to thank them for all they have done in her life. Pauline says that she will always be grateful and she will love Florence and her Machine for the rest of her life.

You can listen to some of Pauline Mancini’s work through her Youtube channel here:
http://www.youtube.com/PaulineMancini

Our first ever Flow Feature is on Miranda Lorance from Oklahoma, USA. Miranda attended her first ever Florence + The Machine concert in Dallas, TX on September 30, 2012.

Miranda writes novels and poetry and has also composed songs. Since she discovered Florence + The Machine this past summer her life has changed. At the time she was struggling with low self-esteem which affected her will to write, and kept her 'in the closet'. She was unable to come out to the world and felt that she would never be able to be herself. Miranda went through dark times and struggled with self-mutilation and depression. 

Miranda’s life was turned around when she discovered the inspiring lyrics and music by Florence + The Machine. The song 'Shake It Out' inspired Miranda to 'move boldly forward' and pursue her dreams without fear of failure. Through this Florence has become her greatest inspiration. 

Miranda has since come out of the closet and no longer lives in fear of what the world thinks of her. Her self-confidence has improved and she has been able to start writing again. Miranda no longer questions the value of her life and what she can offer to the world, and has learnt to respect and take care of herself. 

After the concert in Dallas Miranda was fortunate enough to be one of 30 fans who had the honour of meeting Florence, Isa, Tom and Chris. She was able to fulfil her ultimate dream as a Flow and get a Florence + The Machine  tattoo of where Florence signed her arm. Miranda listened as Florence told another fan going through hard times in their life that "things would get better, that it was going to be okay, that they are loved." At the time Florence was so genuinely compassionate and humble towards all the fans.

After meeting Florence, Miranda realised that anything in life is possible if you want it enough. Miranda can now look down on her arm and see the lungs that Florence drew and signed, and stop and remember that things will get better.

Thank you to Miranda Lorance for sharing your incredible story. We are so grateful that you shared your struggles and your path to overcome them through the lyrics and music of Florence + The Machine. 

We look forward to hearing other inspiring stories from Flows all around the world. Come back next week for our next Flow Feature.