From bedrooms to studio spaces, Fragile Homes have harnessed their DIY ethic and a thirst for writing into a sound that marries hardcore, punk and emo.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

• Joe Fenton- Guitarist

• Adam Troshane- Bassist

• Nicholas Libraro- Drummer

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Fragile Homes? How long has the band been around?

Prior to Fragile Homes, our members always found a way of playing music. Nick & I have been close since about 2007 and always found a way to jam after school whether it was covers of Goldfinger or just droning on with sound. We found ourselves forming a band with common friends to fill more time. Adam, being a very skilled bass player with a variety of influences, found his way into playing with a handful of local artists over the years. I can easily say that Fragile Homes has been a safe place for all three musicians to lock into with the utmost certainty of retention.

Fragile Homes has been a writing act since 2017 and a full performing act since 2020.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

It is always a funny story if not more of an awkward summation of poor planning of fresh musicians. Starting as a pseudonym for my “solo” work, Model Homes was the original identity for the first 3 songs. From inspiration from TV’s Arrested Development, where things always found themselves coming together inside “the model home.” Upon preparation for the release of Imaginary Places, our debut, we found somewhat defunct acts with social media pages under the same name. To keep the name original, we pivoted to where we are now.

Fragile Homes takes on the essence of existence for when and where our band members came up. Starting in a very small, modest town of Keansburg, New Jersey, our being was surrounded by the essence of just making it by. Ourselves and everyone around us were only ever making something of worth out of all that we knew; creating the fragile homes we all find our lives currently living through and constantly building. Fragile Homes is more than our band. Fragile Homes encompasses the entire collective of creatives we end up working with along the way. In my mind we are all part of Fragile Homes.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

While the songs you all know by Fragile Homes are a collective effort with the work of a team glueing all parts together, the process more often than not starts with a bedroom demo from a 2x2 audio interface from myself. While studying Music Industry & Technology at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, I took advantage of my virtually unlimited studio time to factor out what would make their signature sound. From this, we found a way to a simple yet cutting edge sound with a lot of potential for progression.

Coming from a disdain for the writing room becoming more of a chore, I stopped chasing the edge of heavier music which was always a sound that I sought out and decided to settle into whichever simple chords would furnish the way I was currently playing my guitar. Fragile Homes is a constant celebration within the catharsis of performance.

Our songwriting stems from the everyday job of the comedian; simply to live life and report on it. Fragile Homes’ music usually finds itself in the monologue of an observed narrator. The aforementioned topics usually end up being very real situations that have already manifested themselves into physical form, yet still needing the reflection or personal resolve, and or curiosities of constantly finding oneself in constant observance of their own situation. Songwriting is bound to change. We are constantly looking to grow and with that comes steady adaptation to progress and or the lack thereof.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

As a group, our music tastes encompass a huge range. I honestly do not think I would be able to pinpoint a single band. I know that Nick has been delving into math rock/ emo revival stuff. Adam listens to a range of underground hip hop to progressive rock. I have been listening to The Garden a ton, as well as later stuff from Thee Oh Sees.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

I found my way into writing Fragile Homes’ music from a need to play out through feeling rather than trying to build an effective track. I can directly pinpoint my influences to drive with this band after two events: the discovery of Jeff Rosenstock and then seeing New Jersey local band, The Moms play Asbury Park Brewery. I have never experienced such passion in a tone that was so easily digested. I saw The Moms from a recognition of their name, and that led to 3 great pints and seeing blood spattered on the pickguard of some offset bodied guitar.

I’m also sure that others can relate to developing a music taste semi directly from Tony Hawk Pro Skater games. San Francisco Bay area punk rock like Descendants and especially Green Day really planted the seed, or at least I’d like to think.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Preparing for a show is almost like committing to skydiving, you tell yourself over and over that you’re going to do this thing and then suddenly you’re 10,000 feet above the ground with nothing else to do but jump. At risk of sounding very unprofessional, we just show up, and give it all we’ve got. We do like to run through material as much as possible and we also enjoy staying hydrated before and during.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

The time Fragile Homes has been together as a full performing act, we have taken every single opportunity as the best possible highlight of our band’s time to date. Being able to have our music performed and heard by anyone out there as the best possible highlight.

Recording our newest record, “Summer Vacation. Forever, Forever.” was a blast to put together. We took a few trips out to Long Island to track and produce the record with TJ DeRosa. Great experience and for sure one to remember and think back on while we keep moving.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Elvis because that would sure be weird none of those folks have ever heard a fuzz pedal before.

In all seriousness though love to have the chance to tour with Jeff Rosenstock; his live performances are incredible and being able to experience that on a full run would be unreal. Also worth mentioning he is usually touring with great acts too!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our newest record, “Summer Vacation. Forever, Forever.” is streaming on all popular platforms as well as for sale on fragilehomes.bandcamp.com

Keep up to date with all of our releases, merchandise, as well as upcoming tour dates on fragilehomes.com. You can also find updates on our social media pages just look for Fragile Homes.

Thank you!

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