UncutGrass on Ghost Tattoo
The honesty and good intent encompassing the whole of Kristen Grainger & True North’s Ghost Tattoo, an album that elevates them into a rarified position
Gareth Jenkins on Ghost Tattoo
I truly love the energy of good hot picking as well as celestial harmonies, but perhaps more than anything I love a well-crafted song that
Northern Sky Reviews on Ghost Tattoo
There’s a touch of velvet ingrained in the songs on Ghost Tattoo, where each performance is treated to polished and uncluttered instrumentation with Kristen Grainger’s
No Depression magazine on Ghost Tattoo
On “Ghost Tattoo,” Kristen Grainger & True North Go Beyond Skin Deep Sometimes the most gentle approach accentuates the power in a lyric. Kristen Grainger
Bluegrass Today on Ghost Tattoo
The honesty and good intent encompassing the whole of Kristen Grainger & True North’s Ghost Tattoo, an album that elevates them into a rarified position
Take Effect on Ghost Tattoo
Listen to Ghost Tattoo A very impressive ensemble here, Kristen Grainger brings her strong vocal prowess as multi-instrumentalists Dan Wetzel, Martin Stevens and Josh Adkins
CD Hotlist on Ghost Tattoo
These days, when acoustic music doesn’t fit cleanly into a folk or bluegrass or old-time category, it tends to get designated as “Americana.” It’s as
Americana UK on Ghost Tattoo
Hailing from across the state of Oregon, Kristen Grainger & True North define their music as “Pacific Northwest Americana,” which, given the diverse subject matter
Tom May on Ghost Tattoo
“Ghost Tattoo” features some of the very brightest, most intelligent music being performed today – in an evocative synthesis of folk and bluegrass that is
FATEA Records on Ghost Tattoo
Performing variously a duo and a quartet, both formats feature multi-instrumentalist Dan Wetzel and Grainger, former communications director for Oregon Governor Kate Brown. On album
Ink 19 on Ghost Tattoo
Kristen Grainger & True North are a pleasant Americana band from the Pacific Northwest. They are accomplished musicians with obvious experience on the bluegrass circuit.
Green Man Review on Ghost Tattoo
One of the ways I distinguish what’s called Americana music from its relatives bluegrass and old-time is its tendency to lean more toward a cultural
QUOTES:
"Fear of Falling Stars - a set of sometimes very personal bluegrass-based songs that highlight why the group are multiple-award winners.”
Americana UK
"Every aspect of this offering is crafted with intention and meticulous detail, executed with precision while remaining fresh and loose."
Americana Alley
Kristen Grainger sings with vocals that are soulful and convey the sense of emotion that is packed into the lyrics. Her band provides sparse yet beautiful instrumentation, layering in subtle flourishes.
Glide Magazine
“Even in the darkest moments, whether in the music or the vocals, there’s a light somewhere on the horizon, bringing you back to listen again and again. Catch this falling star and put it in your pocket.”
Folk Radio UK
“On ‘Fear of Falling Stars,’ Kristen Grainger & True North return with a veritable feast of perfectly coupled harmonies, exquisite instrumental work, and mouthwatering lyrical treats that will leave you wanting to go back immediately for third and fourth helpings."
Backporch Bluegrass
"Grainger’s voice is clear but gentle; her bandmates contribute harmonies that are tight but silky. The songs draw on bluegrass tradition but take its elements in entirely new directions without ever seeming aggressively experimental. Highly recommended."
CD Hotlist
"The musicianship is excellent as is Grainger’s vocal work, but the album’s greatest strength may be the material."
Jeff Burger
Americana Highways
"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."
Shawn Underwood
Twangville
“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.”
Kate McKenzie
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter
"Sometimes the most gentle approach accentuates the power in a lyric. Kristen Grainger & True North prove that again and again."
Mike Elliot
No Depression Magazine
"These are powerful and emotional songs. This slice of Americana deserves to be spread a little further than America's Northwest."
Americana U.K.
"The music of True North is a contemporary blend of bluegrass sensibilities, singer/songwriter craft and a spirit that is willing to go where the song leads them. The harmonies of Kristen and co-band leader and husband Dan Wetzel are beautiful and reveal an intimate depth to them."
Gareth Jenkins
Music From The True Vine, Bluegrass Express.
"The songs ring with resolute determination even though they ply each of their arrangements with carefully considered subtlety and finesse."
Lee Zimmerman Bluegrass Today
"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." the musical reputation of True North.”
Rick Anderson's CD Hotlist, Pick of the Month Folk/Country