BWW Interviews: A Fragile Tomorrow - A Young Band with Lots of Promise

I had a chance to meet a lot of great and interesting people while in Austin at SXSW last week. I also got a chance to listen to a lot of talented singers and bands. One particular group that stuck out to me was a young group named A Fragile Tomorrow. They consist of 4 members; identical brothers Sean and Dominic Kelly who are 21 years old, their younger brother Brendan who is 18 and long-time friend, Shaun Rhoades who is 26. While their music isn't easy to categorize, it is very easy to understand why this band is gaining popularity all over the U.S. Many say they sound like such performers as The Smithereens and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Even though they are quite young, they are veterans to touring and recording. And they have had some industry greats speak their praises and perform with them.

Sean, Dominic, Brendan and Shaun gave me a few minutes after their showcase with MPress Records at SXSW to share some of their experiences and drive. As I spoke with them, it was clear that this was something they had great passion for and you could feel their energy. I told them how well they seemed connected to each other and how they seemed to be able to anticipate each other's thoughts onstage and off. They told me they have been playing together for 7 years and have been touring almost as long. "Once you played that much together," commented one, "You get on a level with each other that you just know. It's a natural thing. It's been a progression."

The brothers have been performing almost all of their lives. They grew up doing theater, dance, and acting. They started their band 10 years ago and touring 7 years ago when Shaun Rhoades joined the band. Their parents took them out of school and homeschooled them on the road. Their dad travelled with them and they covered a lot of the country learning as they went. The music they sing is original and written by them. They have been writing music since they were very young. Their talent and their drive is hard to miss. And their desire to succeed is on the top of their lists.

Not only does their talent and connection make them great performers but when you get to know them better you learn something else about them. Sean and Dominic were born with cerebral palsy. There was another brother too. He was their triplet. His cerebral palsy was worse and he spent his life in a wheelchair. They lost him when he was 6. But, this doesn't slow them down. They keep doing what they're doing and being an inspiration to many. Dominic said, "The good thing about playing music is that we get to show people our music and people aren't paying attention to our limp or the fact that we have cerebral palsy. And Sean added, "I've chosen now to embrace it. If you start playing in something that is creative, that helps to find yourself more, become more comfortable." Shaun Rhoades said, "It's cool that from the outside to watch these guys be such an inspiration because the only people to ever notice it is somebody who's been touched by CP or a physical disability. We'll be somewhere and meet people that it's such a huge inspiration. Their whole story is really amazing."

Check out A Fragile Tomorrow and see if they will be performing in your area soon. And check out their new CD "Be Nice Be Careful."

A Fragile Tomorrow