Kristen Grainger’s Musical Compass Points True North
As her band, True North’s website states, “Kristen Grainger, (vocals, ukulele) is the voice of True North. Her songwriting has received national recognition — “Be
Lonesome Highway (Ireland) Reviews Open Road, Broken Heart
True North is an acoustic Folk/Roots band that has released three previous albums prior to this new offering which surfaced in 2017. The playing is
Folk World Review of Open Road, Broken Heart
Open Road, Broken Heart is True North’s newest album released 2017. The album features eight new originals penned by Kristen Grainger and four songs from
Musikrichtung: Americana/Folk (Germany) Review of Open Road, Broken Heart
VÖ: 06.04.2018 (Eigenlabel) Gesamtspielzeit: 43:43 Not to be confused with a mixed formation from Scandinavia/USA, which released an EP in 2014, this band True North
Three DJs at KBCS Name Open Road, Broken Heart Among Their Top Ten
Three DJs at KBCS named Open Road, Broken Heart among their top ten albums for 2017, even though the album wasn’t released until October 14. See the
Folk Radio U.K./Folk Music Magazine (U.K.) Reviews Open Road, Broken Heart
A Pacific northwest bluegrass quartet lining up as singer and ukulele player Kristen Grainger, who handles most of the songwriting, Dan Wetzel and Dale Adkins,
Twangville USA Reviews Open Road, Broken Heart
Kris Kristofferson famously wrote that “freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” Kristen Grainger, lead singer & songwriter for True North, writes a
Roots Music Report (USA) Reviews Open Road, Broken Heart
Based in Oregon, True North’s fourth album in over a dozen years together continues to emphasize rootsy original material with poignancy and soul. The band
"Grainger’s lyrics are introspective, capturing bits of small town life in vignettes that are purposeful and infectious. True North is able to veer from its bluegrass influences to embrace country-pop balladry with open arms. What many groups lose in the fire of lightning-fast solos, True North exemplifies with style and artistry."
“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.”
“Kristen [Grainger]’s vocalizing exhibits the intensity of a singer with breathtaking ability comparable to Laurie Lewis… The band is emerging in the Northwest as one of the most endearing and passionate contributors to the Northwest’s acoustic folk repertoire. Their craftsmanship and focus squarely put the emphasis on original material, deliberative arrangements, graceful guitar, and gorgeous vocals.”
“The band sounds quite good, and [Kristen Grainger’s] singing is lovely.”
“True North’s Pluck proves that you don’t need a big label or large budget to produce a fine album with first class sound. If you like your folk or bluegrass with a mellifluous edge, give True North’s Pluck a listen.”
“By far the strongest point of this band is the songwriting of members Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel, putting up four more great tunes this CD. ‘Til I Have You is a great opening song, tasty and very easy on the ears. Next is an excellent rendition of KD Lang’s Luck In My Eyes, right on and cool. Desiree McRae is a cooking bluegrass tune with guest Keith Arneson on the 5-string, drivin’ right along. What a neat groove the band finds on Friday Night, soooo cookin’… a perfect ending for a fine CD… Pluck is a hot CD with an excellent mix of bluegrass and near-bluegrass tunes with excellent recording values.”
“Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel share in the lead vocals and are especially effective on “’Til I Have You” and “Friday Night.” In all, “Pluck” is a pleasant assortment of contemporary bluegrass that should expand the musical reputation of True North.”