Kristen Grainger & True North is a bluegrass-leaning Americana powerhouse of terrific songwriting, lush vocals and crazy-good instrumentalists. Fronted by singer-songwriter Kristen Grainger, the band is comprised of multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Dan Wetzel and Pacific Northwest bluegrass superstars Martin Stevens (mandolin, octave mandolin, fiddle, vocals) and Josh Adkins (upright bass, vocals), both formerly of the Bluegrass Regulators. Kristen is making a name for herself as a crafter of great songs, taking first place in the 2020 USA Songwriting Competition (folk), and landing a 2022 songwriter showcase at SXSW. She was named, along with Brandi Carlile and Dolly Parton, one of the “Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack” by The Bluegrass Situation.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Kristen Grainger & True North. How did you get to know each other?
Kristen Grainger & True North is a four-piece Americana string band co-founded by myself and my husband, Dan Wetzel. We also perform avidly as an acoustic singer-songwriter duo, True North. We’ve produced six albums, three of which have gone to #1 on folk radio. We met while playing in different bands and fell in love while collaborating on a recording project (our pinkies accidentally touched!).
What is your dream project?
I am living my dream project - writing intelligent, meaningful songs and recording and performing them with Dan for people listening with ears and hearts open.
Your latest track is ‘Buckeye State’. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
President Biden shared the news of the ten-year-old Ohio girl, pregnant and three days past the deadline to terminate it, who had to travel to another state. The profound sadness and outrage I felt for her crystallized this situation as emblematic of public policy informed by the desire among a few powerful men to control women by controlling their bodies. While writing and recording it, I had difficulty keeping from breaking down into tears. I hardly got through it.
What makes you angry?
Cruelty. Brutality. Misogyny. Misplaced power. Inequity.
What is the most surprising fact you’ve learnt about yourself?
As time goes on, I am less of a peaceful person than I’d hoped I’d be.
What do you dislike about your work?
The business aspects (I prefer the creative aspects).
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Mainstream commercial music is fine but it’s Doritos for the brain; consume sparingly. Instead, seek and support independent songwriters and bask in authenticity.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
Art is actually the antidote to loneliness.
What do you think is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen or experienced?
It’s a tie between listening to hundreds of people in a theater singing along to a song I wrote, and a child singing a song I wrote, not even aware that I am listening.
What are your plans for the future?
Experience as much of the world as I can, report back.