What's That noise?

Michelle da Silva

The Framework

With everyone and their uncle “in a band” nowadays, it’s refreshing to hear a band actually sound good … really good. The Framework is a Toronto-based band consisting of Ryan Kash and Chris Graham both on vocals and guitar; Rayanne Lepieszo on synths; Scott Winter on bass; and Tobias Smith on drums. Even though the band has only been together since 2006, they’ve garnered more critical acclamation and attention than most bands twice their age.

After winning runner-up in a radio songwriting contest for their song “She Thinks I’m Famous,” the Framework became an almost overnight success online. The band released their much-anticipated self-titled EP in 2007 and set out on the road, even opening for DJ Champion in Ottawa. In 2008, the Framework enlisted several acclaimed DJs, including Crookram of the RAC and Camp America, to remix original songs from their debut, and they spent the rest of the year perfecting their live act at festivals like the Midpoint Music Fest in Cincinnati and North by North East in Toronto. The Framework placed third in the Virgin Fest Road to V contest too – not bad for a band all but 2-years old.

So what does a band that has everybody talking sound like? The Framework is a mix of new wave cool and danceable alt pop. Their influences range from David Bowie, the Killers, and Joy Division, to the Pixies, Tom Petty, and even William Shatner. Kash and Graham’s vocals soar above lightly meshed guitars while Lepieszo’s provides dissonant synths in “London.” In another single, “Normal Weather,” the Framework rocks out with a fast-paced synth-heavy dance track.