True North Duo Electronic Press Kit

True North Duo

Short bio

Singer-songwriter acoustic duo Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel’s performances resonate deeply with audiences listening for well-crafted songs, skillful instrumentation, and gorgeous vocals.

The alchemy of their interlocked voices with the warm, spare loveliness of Dan’s handmade guitar deliver the goods — that indescribable feeling that is part joy, part longing; a deliciously sweet ache haunting the darkest corridors of the heart.

Detailed bio

Singer-songwriter acoustic duo Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel’s performances resonate deeply with audiences listening for well-crafted songs, skillful instrumentation, and gorgeous vocals.

Kristen continues to earn national recognition for her songwriting, most recently showcasing at SXSW on the USA Songwriting stage; winning Common Ground on the Hill’s Acoustic Roots songwriting contest and on Hope Rises II, a tribute to excellence in social change songwriting curated by Noel “Paul” Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary.

Kristen was named, alongside Brandi Carlile and Dolly Parton, one of the Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack by The Bluegrass Situation. She has won or been a finalist in national songwriting contests at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wildflower, Merlefest, and Kerrville Folk Festival.

Before becoming a full-time musician, Kristen served as vice president of Willamette University and speechwriter for two Oregon governors.

An accomplished singer-songwriter who toured nationally as a solo artist, Dan Wetzel is also a luthier who handcrafts musical instruments, including those used in performance, that look and sound beautiful.

His superb skills as a vocalist and on guitar, both flat-pick and finger style, give True North’s songs their warm sound and driving groove.

For more than 20 years, Dan was CEO of Wetzel Homes, Inc., builders of gorgeous custom homes all over Oregon and beyond.

Click photos to download high resolution images

Industry Reviews

“The musicianship is excellent as is Grainger’s vocal work, but the album’s greatest strength may be the material.”

“As a writer, I suppose it’s natural for me to have a soft spot for well-written lyrics. I was gobsmacked, though, at some of the turns of phrase on the latest record from Oregonian Kristen Grainger.”

“Kristen Grainger’s singing is perfection. No gimmicks, nothing superfluous. Just amazing tone and killer songwriting. They [True North] are the perfect modern bluegrass band… Focusing around the terrific lead vocals of Kristen Grainger, the band shows what can happen when great songs meet great singers… This is a band making wonderful musical choices. They are going deeper than mere instrumental wind sprints and reworked standards. Highly recommended.”

“Sometimes the most gentle approach accentuates the power in a lyric. Kristen Grainger & True North prove that again and again.”

“These are powerful and emotional songs. This slice of Americana deserves to be spread a little further than America's Northwest.”

“I truly love the energy of good hot picking as well as celestial harmonies, yet perhaps more than anything I love a well-crafted song that transports me and tells me a story, and Ghost Tattoo is filled with such songs. For the past decade and a half Oregon-based True North has been producing recordings with well-crafted songs, tasteful instrumentation and beautiful vocals."

“The songs ring with resolute determination even though they ply each of their arrangements with carefully considered subtlety and finesse.”

"What are front and center are Grainger’s songwriting, which is graceful and intelligent, and her singing, which is beautiful but plainspoken, and becomes heart-stopping when combined in harmony with that of guitarist Dan Wetzel."

Has shared a stage with:

Sarah Jarosz, We Banjo 3, Crooked Still, Della Mae, John Cowan and Darrell Scott, The Duhks, The Punch Brothers, Ronnie Bowman, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Trampled by Turtles, Steel Drivers, The Seldom Scene, Chris Thile

Recent Honors & Awards

Winner, 2022 Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest
Common Ground on the Hill
Westminster, MD
Ghost of Abuelito(K. Grainger)

Featured Song: Hope Rises II Compilation album showcasing excellence in social change songwriting
Music To Life,founded by N. Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary)
Wilder, VT
Ghost of Abuelito(K. Grainger)

The Bluegrass Situation’s
Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack: Kristen Grainger

“Throughout 2020, the BGS editorial team embraced this wealth of excellent music
from women songwriters in roots music. It has been a privilege to share these original voices with our readers, too.

Winner, 2020 USA Songwriting Competition (folk category) 2nd Place, 2020 USA Songwriting Competition Overall Grand PrizeKeep the River on Your Right (Kristen Grainger)

Finalist, 2020 International Acoustic Music Awards (folk category) Tattooed Love Song (Kristen Grainger)