New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ MPress Records) New York City-based MPress Records as just inked a multi-album deal with Charleston, SC alt-rock band A Fragile Tomorrow. MPress, which releases albums by Independent
Music Award winners Rachael Sage and Melissa Ferrick and Grammy ® Nominee Seth Glier, also produces the New Arrivals charity compilation series and hosts showcases at such industry events as SXSW, CMJ and MIDEM.
A Fragile Tomorrow are an accomplished band of brothers who formed in 2006, naming themselves in honor of their brother, who passed away at age five. Comprised of identical twins Sean and Dominic
Kelly (who both have cerebral palsy), their younger brother Brendan, and Shaun Rhoades, the four piece has already earned the respect of many of the artists whose music they grew up on, including Amy Ray of Indigo Girls (who sang on their album) and REM producer Mitch Easter, who produced their latest effort, "Be Nice Be Careful".
"When Sean first reached out to MPress, I was pretty blown away by what these young guys had already accomplished," says MPress founder and label owner Rachael Sage. In addition to having self-released five albums, Sage was intrigued to learn they'd been invited to support pop and rock acts ranging from Indigo Girls, The
Bangles and
Toad The Wet Sprocket to Matthew Sweet, K's Choice and Blues Traveler. "These are seminal groups I listened to in high school and college, and here were these guys who weren't even all legal yet, earning their respect. I knew I had to check out the live show."
What Sage and the MPress team immediately heard was a sound somewhere between R.E.M,
Elvis Costello and Big Star. As label manager Jojo Gentry describes it: "They've got a sound that's 'classic' beyond their years, and they're all really excellent musicians who also happen to be incredibly intelligent."
The
Kelly brothers - who range in age between 19-22 - are currently building their own recording facility in Savannah, GA, where they're slated to begin work on their first MPress release this Fall. Prior to that, they'll be reconnecting with longtime supporters the Indigo Girls for a show together in Atlanta, GA on July 18th. Dom and Sean Kelly, who made an appearance on the Indigo Girls' album "Staring Down The Brilliant Dream" (2010), also sang harmonies on Amy Ray's solo release, "Lung Of Love" (2012), and the band will also appear on fellow label-mate Rachael Sage's upcoming release, "Blue Roses" (2014).
A Fragile Tomorrow, who are signed to Nashville-based management Straight 8 Entertainment, are excited to be part of the MPress family and looking forward to working with the NYC-based boutique label. As Dominic
Kelly commented, "We instantly felt a connection with everyone at MPress and realized very quickly that we all shared the same vision for the direction of A Fragile Tomorrow. MPress believes in us and our art, and in turn, we fully trust them to guide us in the right direction."
