far beyond frail: Alternative Folk Duo

Supporting their third independent release, the alternative folk duo, far beyond frail, will bring their intense look at love to Babb’s Coffeehouse in Fargo next Wednesday evening.

The pair met in 2002 when they were both studying at a contemporary music conservatory in Martha’s Vineyard. Sharlynn Verner was studying voice and David Cecil was honing his craft as a songwriter. “I can’t sing a note,” he admits, “so I needed somebody to head into the studio and demo some of the songs I was doing out there. Things kind of took off from there.”

Verner, also a songwriter, was eager to collaborate with Cecil. “Half of what we record is her material,” Cecil adds. But Verner is able to take his work and uplift it. “Since she can do so much vocally, it’s not hard for her at all to make the songs her own,” he says.

The quality of Verner’s voice is exceptional, ranging from breathy and playful to moody and daring. Sometimes, she crosses into the theatrical, but that only enhances the emotional intensity of the songs. It is her versatility, though, that makes far from frail a refreshing new entry into contemporary acoustic music.

Verner’s voice is a vehicle for the poetry that this pair produces. “We joke around that we typically only write sad love songs, but a lot if it is exploring relationships, love, whether it be, current love or past love or hopefully future love,” Cecil says. “The best songs and the best pieces of art, in general, tend to be things that a lot of people can relate to. There are only a few topics that so many people can relate to as relationships.”

Though their current CD, “Butterfly Sketches,” is recorded with a full band, their touring is minimalist. Verner plays keyboards and Cecil plays acoustic and electric guitar. “Some of our fans really wish that we played with a full band live because they feel like we missed something,” Cecil says. “Most people, I think, really like to hear the songs a little more stripped down and out of the way of Sharlyn’s voice so that she can take a little more liberties with the songs.”

If You Go

WHAT: far beyond frail
WHERE: Babb’s Coffeehouse, 604 Main Ave, Fargo
WHEN: Wednesday, April 9, 7:30 pm
INFO: (701) 271-0222