Local favorites in North Carolina’s Triangle region for over a decade, Triple Fret finally took a little time out to get some of their eclectic compositions down on disc. The 12 tracks, 11 written by Babyak and arranged by the band, represent a variety pack of genres, including Afro-pop, Latin, jazzy folk-rock, and even a little rockabilly. As disparate as this may sound on the surface, all these varied flavors are tied together by recurring threads: layers of soaring steel guitars and Babyak’s raspy voice, energetic percussion from Raleigh’s favorite session drummer, Mike Rosado, and flawless deep bass lines from Chapel’s Hill E. Scott Warren. The songs also range in lyrical content from simple on-the-sleeve love songs to deeply-felt laments about social injustice.
Mike Babyak began playing guitar in his early teens while growing up in the Allentown, Pa area. In the mid-70s, Mike enjoyed success with his first serious project, Gateway, a 5-piece band that covered bands such as Steely Dan and Yes. He went on to study classical guitar at Muhlenberg College, winning several local performance competitions. He spent the next 11 years performing as a classical soloist and guest artist with small chamber and early music ensembles. In the mid-90s, his interests turned back again to the electric guitar. Also at this time he began to study the lap steel more seriously. Early in 2001, he founded the Triple Fret project, an improvisational blues, jazz, and world act with a rotating cast of musicians. Mike cites his long time teacher and friend, Steve Kimock, as his most important and enduring musical influence. He also has studied with Durham jazz guitarist, Scott Sawyer. His influences are wide-ranging and include V.M. Bhatt, David Lindley, R. Prasanna, Diblo Dibala, and Ry Cooder.
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