The Fray

From the sleepy sprawl of America's Mile High City comes the Fray, a foursome whose melodic pop-rock songs and soaring vocals resonate with sprawling tapestries and tales of hopefulness and heartache.

Formed in 2002 by Isaac Slade and Joe King, the Fray earned a loyal grassroots following through impressive Denver area gigs and the support of local radio which led a listen-driven campaign to get the band a record contract. With strong word-of-mouth, the band won "Best New Band" honors from Denver's Westword magazine and garnered substantial airplay on two of Denver's top rock stations with a demo version of "Over My Head (Cable Car)." The band signed to Epic Records in 2004 and will released their debut album How To Save A Life in September of that year.

"Three years ago, I thought I wanted to start a real estate company," laughs co-founder King. A serendipitous encounter with former schoolmate Slade at a local music store begat an impromptu jam session that begat an impromptu songwriting session that begat the Fray. It wasn't your usual rock n' roll lineup--vocals, guitar and piano--but it worked. The uplifting, melody-driven songs were catchy enough to attract two former band mates of Slade's--drummer Ben Wysocki and guitarist Dave Welsh. 

The lineup secure, all the band needed was a name. Jokes about the boys' tendency to battle it out over song composition led to the suggestion of "the Fray," and the name stuck. So did the Fray's style--a sophisticated, emotional blend of tinkling pianos, acoustic and electric guitars, and gently insistent rhythms that serves as an ideal backdrop for Slade's pitch-perfect, achingly beautiful vocals. The band's first single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)," echoes the poignant lyricism of Counting Crows and the melodic intensity of U2. The title track, "How To Save A Life," is a heartbreaking meditation on salvation inspired by Slade's experience as a mentor to a drug-addicted teen. Both songs employ an epic sweep, speeding up and slowing down so effortlessly that the listener can't help but become emotionally involved by the time the crescendo hits.

Considering the quality of songwriting involved, the band's rise to local prominence within the span of a year doesn't seem so implausible. In January of 2004, the Fray were no-namers trying to find gigs. By December, they were getting radio pick-up and playing sold-out shows at 500-capacity venues. In July of 2005 they were on the road supporting legendary geek rockers Weezer. And with the release of How To Save A Life in September, there was no shortage of opportunities to make even more new fans.

Congratulations to the Fray, for being chosen our latest Artist Spot-Lite on LiteFavorites.com!  Listen for them and other soft hits, with less talk all day at work.