A Fragile Tomorrow is an American

alternative Alternative or alternate may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * Alternative (''Kamen Rider''), a character in the Japanese TV series ''Kamen Rider Ryuki'' * ''The Alternative'' (film), a 1978 Australian television film * ''The Alternative ...

powerpop Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, an energetic performance, and ch ...

band from

Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina, the county seat of Charleston County, and the principal city in the Charleston–North Charleston metropolitan area. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint o ...

, United States, formerly from Montgomery, New York. The group formed in 2003 and included brothers Sean Kelly, Dom Kelly, and Brendan Kelly. In 2006, bassist Shaun Rhoades joined the group. The band has put out six studio albums, most recently the critically acclaimed ''Make Me Over'' in 2015 and ''Generation Loss'' in 2019. As of 2020, they were working on their seventh record and third MPress Records release. The band has shared the stage with/opened for

Indigo Girls Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. The two met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part o ...

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, and more.

Early years

The band was first formed by brothers Sean, Dominic, and Brendan Kelly. Sean and Dominic are two of triplets, all diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as infants, and their fraternal triplet died when they were 6. After first becoming a band in 2003, three years later, they had enough material for an album, which led to their 2006 debut. Soon after the release, bassist Shaun Rhoades was added to the group. After ending their recording/management contract with Audem Records in early 2007, the band began work on their sophomore release ''Beautiful Noise'', which was released independently in 2008. Touring in support of this release led to the band deciding to relocate from their hometown of Montgomery, NY to Charleston, SC. The band began recording the follow-up to 2008's ''Beautiful Noise'', titled ''Tripping Over Nothing'', which was produced by South Carolina musician

in the summer of 2009. The album features guest appearances once again by Peter Holsapple and Susan Cowsill, as well as Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. Consistent touring in Charleston, coupled with time spent in the area recording their third album, prompted the band to relocate to the Charleston area in late 2009, where they have since remained. The album was released on February 23, 2010. The band put out the record on their own label, Piewillie Records. They toured heavily in support of it, opening for

In December 2010, the band released a digital EP of acoustic versions of songs from ''Tripping Over Nothing'', titled ''Palmetto EP''. Sean and Dom were featured vocalists on an

live release, titled " Staring Down the Brilliant Dream" which was released in June 2010. Additionally, they sing on the song "Closer to Fine" along with

Michelle Malone Michelle Malone is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born and raised in Atlanta, she started performing in bands and writing songs as a teenager. Initially, she would sign with Arista Records after performing around parts of Atlanta ...

and actress

Jill Hennessy Jillian Noel Hennessy (born November 25, 1968) is a Canadian actress and singer. She is most known for her roles on the American television series ''Law & Order'', on which she played prosecutor Claire Kincaid for three seasons, and ''Crossing ...

. In February 2011, the band went back out on the road with

, opening the southeast leg of their tour. On April 19, 2011, the band released a live record called ''Live at Awendaw Green'' that was recorded at a show in Awendaw, SC in December 2010. In summer 2011, the band announced their plans to start work on their fourth studio record. Preproduction began in fall 2011, and recording began in January 2012. On September 26, 2011, A Fragile Tomorrow announced via their Facebook page that they would be opening for

on the west coast leg of their November 2011 tour. Sessions for the band's fourth studio record began in January 2012 with

Mitch Easter Mitchell Blake Easter (born November 15, 1954) is a musician, songwriter, and record producer. Frequently associated with the jangle pop style of guitar music, he is known as producer of R.E.M.'s early albums from 1981 through 1984, and as frontm ...

. According to the band's Facebook page, the album feature contributions from Don Dixon,

Vicki Peterson Victoria Anne Theresa Peterson Cowsill (born January 11, 1958) is an American rock musician and songwriter. She has been the lead guitarist for the Bangles since their foundation in 1981. After their first disbandment in 1989, she has returned ...

and

Debbi Peterson Deborah Mary Peterson (born August 22, 1961) is an American musician and the drummer of the band The Bangles. She sang lead vocals on two of the band's released singles, "Going Down to Liverpool" (1984) and " Be with You" (1989). She is the you ...

, and Easter himself. Lead singer/songwriter Sean Kelly recently co-produced, engineered, and mixed

's new release ''New Year Revolutions'', released in December 2011. Sean and Dom contributed vocals to three songs on

's 2012 solo release, "Lung of Love". On March 29, 2012, A Fragile Tomorrow released a version of "Water's Part" by

Let's Active Let's Active is an American rock group formed in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1981, and often identified with the jangle pop guitar work of the group's frontman and songwriter Mitch Easter. After disbanding in 1990, the group reformed in Augus ...

, recorded with and produced by Let's Active front man himself,

for free download on their official site. The band opened dates for

in June 2012. The band's fourth studio album, titled ''Be Nice Be Careful'' and produced by

and Ted Comerford, was released on January 8, 2013, via the band's Piewillie Records. The album was also released in Japan on the same day as its US release via Powerpop Academy/Thistime Records. Initially, the album garnered much critical acclaim, with Audiophile Reviews saying that "be nice be careful redefines powerpop for the 21st century" and Musoscribe claiming "If this is the state of powerpop in early 2013, things look good for the future". The band played headlining dates in 2013 in support of "Be Nice Be Careful", as well as dates supporting both

and

. It was announced that the band will again support

, under the name Bettens, in Belgium and the Netherlands in November 2013. On February 18, 2014, the band will release ''Belgique'', an EP of songs from ''Be Nice Be Careful'' recorded live at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium.

''Make Me Over''

On July 8, 2014, the band announced they had signed a multi-album deal with NYC-based record label MPress Records, which also represents

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Melissa Ferrick Melissa Ferrick (born September 21, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter. Her song "Drive" (2000) is considered a lesbian anthem. She is a music professor at Northeastern University and at Berklee College of Music. Early life Ferrick was ra ...

, and

Seth Glier Seth Glier () is an American singer-songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and activist. Career Seth Glier was born in Shelburne Falls, MA. and subsequently studied at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School PVPA in South Hadley, Massachusett ...

. The band's fifth studio album, ''Make Me Over'', was released on October 16, 2015, via MPress Records, with several headlining shows surrounding the release as well as a U.S. tour supporting

and shows in Tel Aviv, Israel supporting K's Choice. The album features appearances from

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...

Mark Hart Mark Hart (born July 2, 1953), is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist best known for being a member of both Supertramp (1986–1988, 1996–2002, 2015–present) and Crowded House (1993–1996, 2007–2019). As well as being a group memb ...

Crowded House Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in 1985. Its founding members were New Zealander Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter) and Australians Paul Hester (drums) and Nick Seymour (bass). Later ban ...

, and Indigo Girls. It was produced and engineered by the band in Savannah, Georgia. In October 2016, A Fragile Tomorrow announced they had been nominated for an Independent Music Award for their version of their cousin

Richard Fariña Richard George Fariña (Spanish IPA: ) (March 8, 1937 – April 30, 1966) was an American folksinger, songwriter, poet and novelist. Early years and education Fariña was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, the son of an Irish mother, T ...

's song "One Way Ticket" featuring Joan Baez and Indigo Girls. On November 12, they announced on social media that they had won the award for Best Cover Song. The band also announced that they had received 5

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

pre-nominations in various categories for ''Make Me Over''. Drummer Dominic Kelly released his first solo album, ''Everything Is Just Enough'', on April 7, 2017, on MPress Records. Singer and songwriter Sean Kelly is also set to release his debut solo album, ''Time Bomb, Baby'' in October 2017.

''Generation Loss''

The band released their sixth studio album ''Generation Loss'' on MPress Records on February 22, 2019. The album featured a change in lineup, with Dom Kelly moving to vocals and keyboards with the addition of Josh Kean as session/touring drummer. The album was written after the loss of their mother Vicki to cancer in 2017 and was released to critical acclaim. As of 2020, the band began working on their seventh studio record. In May 2021, Dominic Kelly announced his departure from the band. Sean Kelly alluded on social media to the band working with Peter Holsapple on their forthcoming album, which had been previously delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discography

*''Wishful Thinking'' (2006) *''Beautiful Noise'' (2008) *''Tripping Over Nothing'' (2010) *''The Palmetto EP'' (2010) *''Live At Awendaw Green'' (2011) *''Be Nice Be Careful'' (2013) *''Belgique EP'' (2014) *''Make Me Over'' (2015) *''Generation Loss'' (2019) *''It’s Better That Way'' (2022)

Members

Main Members

Sean Kelly - lead vocals, guitars, synth, organ, electric piano, mandolin, accordion, programming (2003–present)
Brendan Kelly - guitars, synth, keys, programming, percussion, vocals (2003–present)
Shaun Rhoades - bass, piano, organ, percussion, vocals (2006–present)
Josh Kean - drums, percussion (2017–present)

Current Touring and/or Recording Personnel

Peter Holsapple Peter Livingston Holsapple (born February 19, 1956) is an American musician, who formed, along with Chris Stamey, the dB's, a jangle-pop band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongat ...

- keyboards (''recording'' 2021–present)

Former Members

Dominic Kelly - drums, vocals (2003-2017) keyboards, vocals (2017-2021)

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fragile Tomorrow, A American power pop groups Jangle pop groups Musical groups from New York (state) Musical groups established in 2003