A collision between the simple songs of folk and the intensity of alternative.

6 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Alternative Folk, POP: Folky Pop



Details:
Like a mythical siren luring explorers close to her side, Kansas Cityâs far beyond frail has been drawing listeners near with an irresistible blend of alternative-folk music, poetic lyrics and stunning female vocals.

Formed in 2002 on Marthaâs Vineyard, an island sleeping off the coast of Cape Cod, far beyond frail is comprised of vocalist Sharlynn Verner and songwriter David Cecil. After having discovered a mutual love for the melodies and emotional depth of Counting Crows, Sharlynnâs voice and Davidâs creativity had found their home, resulting in the first steps that led to far beyond frailâs formation. In 2004, the band relocated to Kansas City, taking with them the surreal ambiance that their time spent on the oft-romanticized, East Coast island had instilled in their sound.

Although it is tempting to throw far beyond frail into the female-fronted pop category, that description alone has never done them justice. While sharing many qualities with artists ranging from Over the Rhine to Aimee Mann to Sarah McLachlan, far beyond frail add their own dynamic blend of emotion and tight song structure that sets them apart from many artists of this ilk. Davidâs understated guitar work, coupled with Sharlynnâs lilting keyboards paint a delicate landscape of sweeping simplicity â the perfect backdrop for Sharlynnâs hypnotic voice to deliver the honesty of their lyrics with realism and passion.

Through incessant touring and a prolific outpouring of new material, the last few years have seen far beyond frailâs reach extend past what many considered possible. Their first record, entitled The Vineyard EP, documented the songs that were written and recorded during the duoâs formative period on Marthaâs Vineyard. This release not only provided the first glimpse of this bandâs potential, but it set the stage for 2005âs staggering A girl, almost..., a collection of seven songs that lapse from isolation to atonement. From there, it didnât take long before far beyond frail elevated their music to yet another level and released Butterfly Sketches - their latest, and most impressive work to date. Recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio and produced by Grammy-nominated producer Ric Hordinski (Over the Rhine, David Wilcox), Butterfly Sketches is far beyond frailâs look at love, at its most heartbreaking and uplifting.

Balancing music and art, poetry and sound, far beyond frail is quickly becoming known for live shows that achieve a level of intensity few others in their genre try to accomplish. The secret has been Sharlynnâs impassioned voice. One moment delicate, the next chaotic, it reaches out uninhibited and works its way into the heads of audience members as she communicates to them the sounds of heartache and heaven. The result is an intoxicating respite from the rigors of life, as only Sharlynn and David can deliver.

With the ability to hold listeners captive, either live or recorded, far beyond frail exudes underground intensity with the polish and skill of a mainstream band. The sincerity of their songwriting transcends traditional pop boundaries by concentrating instead on the complexity of the human condition. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, far beyond frail offers songs of love and loss that could be pages ripped from anyoneâs personal story. They stand poised to achieve a sound that captures firsthand life experience in its truest form.