Check out the music video for the feel-good single from Fra, titled ‘Happy Yourself’!
The Fra! band is a group of young people from different backgrounds united by one language; the language of music. The name “Fra” comes from the Akan word which means “mix” and this is an analogous representation of the elements of fusion which is found in our music. The music we produce is hinged on technical prowess, melodic phrasings and progressive roots based on our afrocentric heritage.
Formed in 2015 and based in Nungua, a suburb of Accra, we started out by performing covers of songs from various artistes during shows at Piano Bar, Teshie. Following the success of these shows we got recommended to management of the Adomaa, a singer who had just started her musical journey by albeit making waves in the industry. After performing with her on a couple of shows we got signed onto her record label, Vision Inspired Music (VI Music) for a 2 year contract deal and arranged all the instrumentation for all six songs on her debut EP, Afraba. The EP was a considerable success and went on to earn Adomaa a spot on the recently organized Vodafone Ghana Music Awards show as well as emerging the winner of the Unsung artiste category.
The band has recently focused on writing its own songs and will be releasing them as singles soon. The first single, Dumsor (local Ghanaian word describing the recent pertinent power outages in the country), which was released on 31st May, 2016. The second single, Happy Yourself, was released on 26th July, 2016. It’s an infectious and jovial tune about living a happy-go-lucky life in this gloomy era. We employ a group songwriting process to ensure that the final work equally reflects the opinion of each member of the group. The group’s current roster is as follows;
- George Gogoe Ashirifie (Bass player)
A graduate of the University of Cape Coast with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, George has years of experience playing low notes. He is currently an administrator at Markbim School. He draws inspiration from neosoul and traditional ghanaian highlife. His key influences include Richard Bona and Marcus Miller.
- Joshua Virgen Boateng (Drums, percussions and loops)
A passionate drummer who gives no room for weak strokes in his play. Virgen is a student of IPMC and a drum instructor at Lincoln Community School, Dzorwulu. He cites Calvin Rodgers, Aaron Styks and Francis Osei as major influences.
- Martin Adjartey (Keyboards, Piano)
The fleet-fingered Martin had to be only person the band could trust on a keyboard. He is a student of IPMC and an aspiring musician in his prime. Martin’s keyboard work is clearly reminiscent of the works of Philip Feaster and Ray Chew.
- Emmanuel Selorm Dornyoh (Guitar)
Immediately recognizable as the guy the glasses. His agility on the guitar seems to contrast his calm and reserved demeanor. A lover of creative arts and a graduate of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana. Selorm has influences from pop and rock guitarists most notably, Steve Vai, Tommy Morello, and John Petrucci.
- Maxwell Klu (Guitar)
Max literally plays his instrument to the max. His shares a special relationship with Selorm as a guitarist and playing complementary roles where the two of them switch between lead and rhythm playing with each other. Max is a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and works on projects with various construction firms in Accra. His musical abilities span a wide range of genres though his interest is mostly in traditional highlife and jazz with influences from Earl Klugh and Jonathan Butler.
