Alternative rockers Together We Fly to land in Akron
A band doesn’t have to play covers to please a crowd.
Together We Fly, an alternative rock group from Cleveland, brings something original to the music scene in Northeast Ohio.
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In recent months, the five-piece unit has played gigs from Akron to Youngstown to Beach City to Lakewood to Kent, and it’s done so with its own songs.
“We play pretty much all originals,” said Levi Frechette, 29, vocalist, guitarist and founder of Together We Fly. “We might throw a cover in here and there just for the sake of having one, but we write all original music.”
The group will be the headliner Friday night, June 3, at The Empire Concert Club in Akron. Openers will be The Other LA, a Nashville act by way of Louisiana, and Screaming Engines, a new band from Ohio.
In addition to Frechette, Together We Fly features Slade Young, 28, of Zanesville, on lead guitar; Cassidy Paige, 21, of Cleveland, on bass; the singularly named Johnstone, 30, of Cleveland, on vocals, guitar and keyboards; and music producer AceHighBeats, 28, “from the farthest regions of outer space,” on drums.
“We always hear that we’re so different,” Frechette said.
The band’s influences include Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Starset, Anberlin and Evans Blue.
Together We Fly group formed in Colorado
A Stark County native, Frechette founded a group in 2010 called Together We Cry, which took its name from lyrics to the Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Under the Bridge.”
He moved to Colorado and formed a new band in 2015.
“I went out to Denver and my life kind of changed a little bit, and Together We Cry didn’t make sense anymore,” he said. “So Together We Fly became a thing, and it’s been that way every since.”
After moving back to Ohio to take care of family matters, he is the sole remaining member from the original lineup.
“I’ve gigged anywhere from Denver to New York City down to St. Louis. I’ve been all over,” Frechette said. “But this lineup of the band, we’re pretty new together. Together We Fly has been around a minute and has played everywhere.”
In March at The Empire, the band warmed up for Trapt, a national act best known for the hits “Headstrong” and “Still Frame.” Trapt guitarist Shawn Sonnenschein praised the openers for “riding a vibe” and not “competing with everybody else,” Frechette said.
“And I thought that was really cool,” he said. “That’s really what we do.”
Together We Fly isn’t about chasing trends or trying to copy what’s popular, he said. The musicians play what they feel.
“Our goal would be to always be honest with ourselves and with our music, just always ride the truth that we have,” he said.
A full-time musician, Frechette says his bandmates come from varying backgrounds. Young provides guitar loops and riffs for purchase, Paige is an independent artist and painter, Johnstone is heavily involved with his church, and AceHighBeats is a full-time music producer.
“It’s cool that we can come together and make something that people enjoy listening to, you know?” he said.
Together We Fly is recording tracks for a self-titled album, including the ethereal, hypnotic and unabashedly catchy song “Influence.” It’s a stormy ode to lost love and spiraling despair.
“So maybe it’s true,” Frechette sings. “Influenced by you. There’s no way back from the things we do. It’s a long way down from where you used to stand. On higher ground I am but a man.”
The original song was seven minutes long, but Frechette says the band cut it down and will debut a single version at The Empire.
“You’ve got 25 seconds to make somebody happy in today’s world,” he said.
Fans of the extended version, which can be found online, should know that the longer cut will still be available on the album.
The Empire in Akron is 'chill' and 'alive'
The group is looking forward to its Akron gig, where it will unveil a website — TWFband.com — and a new line of merchandise.
Frechette praised Empire owner Eric Soudry and his staff, saying the concert club has an atmosphere that is “very chill, very alive.”
“The crowds there are always good, they’re always into it,” he said. “That’s one thing I like about The Empire. People go there for a good show and they usually get one. It’s one of my favorite places to play.”
The five-piece group will soon add a sixth member.
“After the June 3 show, we’re going to take a little bit of a break because my drummer and bassist, who are together, are expecting a baby,” Frechette said.
The group plans to use the time off to complete its album.
And after that? Expect some original material and more Ohio gigs.
Whatever happens next, together they fly.
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
Event: Together We Fly with The Other LA and Screaming Engines
Where: The Empire Concert Club, 1305 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron
When: Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday, June 3
Price: $10 in advance, $12 day of show; $3 surcharge for under 21
More info: 330-634-9849 or visit The Empire’s Facebook page
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Together We Fly is alternative act with original songs
