The family quilt of Americana music is long and well worn. With stitches that took hold hundreds of years ago, the legacy of forlorn lyrics sung over spare, twinkling instrumentation depicting long nights, whiskey glasses and love that too often walks out the door extends further than any can remember. And it will continue well past anyone kicking up mud today. But with each passing sunset, we can see new patches added to the legacy. And the next name to be sewn in is FRETLAND. The band plays songs that dash over hills, harmonize with the breeze and coax honey from tall trees. Founded by Hillary Grace Fretland, the group also includes the tasteful Jake Haber and subtle Luke Francis on bass and guitar and Kenny Bates on drums. FRETLAND’s self-titled, 11-track debut album, which is due out in early 2020, includes the epic, “Long Haul,” reflective, “Have Another Beer,” and the revelrous, "Friendly Fire." Their first single has already received high praise from The Boot and American Songwriter Magazine. While still getting footing on their newest plateau, FRETLAND has lots to enjoy in the view behind them. The band corralled two sonic stalwarts for their first full length record, including engineer Nich Wilbur (Angel Olsen, Black Belt Eagle Scout) and Seattle-area sage Trevor Spencer (Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes), who mixed the record. The band, rife with energy and momentum, has already created one of those strong foundations that allows for a long story to unfold in great detail and with much revelation.

Chris King & the Gutterballs know the secret to creative success: that movement is key to progress. That, whether by gust of tornado-wind or rubber against the road, to push forward is all there is in a life buoyed and scarred by love. The band infuses this propelling urgency in all of its performances, to all of its songs. And it starts with King’s dynamic, uncorked-fire-hydrant of a voice. King, who began playing guitar at 15 in his local church, headed to Seattle in his 20s to find a music community. In just a few years, he amassed a band of players by his side and put the group to work. The band released three locally acclaimed records in the Emerald City and played significant festivals like Treefort (Boise, ID), Off-Beat (Reno, NV) and the Capitol Hill Block Party (Seattle, WA). In 2019, Chris King & the Gutterballs opened for the famed California crooning-rock band, The Growlers, and recorded their first in-studio at the acclaimed radio station, KEXP. In addition, the group was featured on Seattle Channel’s Art Zone with Nancy Guppy and 107.7 The End’s Locals Only radio show. And after a recent six-state tour, the band is poised for a 2020 repeat adventure. The road calls, after all, and feet want new sidewalks, songs want new rooms. And Chris King & the Gutterballs are ready to oblige. -Jake Uitti, Seattle based music writer

Hotel Vignette is the mind of Seattle musician Nils Petersen (Rose Windows, Ole Tinder). Musically the style tends to drift to that of Harry Nillson, Paul Simon and Rufus Wainwright (to name a few) all the while incorporating a Northwest, Cascadian rock feel that he grew up on. Hotel Vignette performances have been know to feature members of Master Musicians of Bukkake, Rose Windows, Spekulation, Ole Tinder and The Crying Shame