Americana Highways
Kristen Grainger & True North, Ghost Tattoo. Folk meets bluegrass on this latest album from the Oregon-based Kristen Grainger and her band True North, which
Twangville on Ghost Tattoo
Kristen Grainger & True North Ghost Tattoo As a writer, I suppose it’s natural for me to have a soft spot for well-written lyrics. I
American Blues Scene on Ghost Tattoo
Grainger and her band have staked out a low-key space that allows the listener to enjoy well-crafted lyrics and charming musical accompaniment. Bluegrass music is
Michael Doherty on Ghost Tattoo
 Kristen Grainger & True North are based in Salem, Oregon, and on their new album, Ghost Tattoo, they deliver some excellent music that mixes
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 Here
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
V : 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
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.Â
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
QUOTES:
"Fear of Falling Stars - a set of sometimes very personal bluegrass-based songs that highlight why the group are multiple-award winners.”
"Every aspect of this offering is crafted with intention and meticulous detail, executed with precision while remaining fresh and loose."
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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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." the musical reputation of True North.”