The Fretliners speak with KGNU Old Grass GNU Grass DJ Shawna Sprowls. They mention their work on a new EP titled Three of a Kind, which was a result of winning the Telluride band competition. The band talks about their upcoming performances at Rapidgrass in Idaho Springs and Rhythms on the Rio in Del Norte, emphasizing the distinct flavors of these Colorado festivals (Interview date: 7/28/2024)
The Fretliners: …I was in that band for four years, out of Chicago, and we recorded that track back then. But we hope to make it available to the needy public, the Fretliners version, at some point.
Shawna Sprowls: That’s fantastic. I didn’t know that you guys did it with the Henhouse Prowlers. I’m not sure if I knew you were a Henhouse Prowler.
The Fretliners: I was, yeah.
Shawna Sprowls: Another great band. And again, they’re playing tomorrow. So what I want to know is, how was Telluride?
The Fretliners: Absolutely just an incredible time. Getting up there and seeing the mountains from that stage. It’s one of the most incredible views, not only to be at, but to play from and see all your friends and family out there swimming around in that sea of people.
Shawna Sprowls: It’s like when you go to Red Rocks and you see the performers stop and just kind of gape at the crowd and the view from that stage. At Telluride too, because those mountains and the Bridalveil Falls and the people going on forever. It’s like RockyGrass on steroids, for those of you who haven’t perhaps made it. But both festivals are run by Planet Bluegrass, who are fantastic and we thank them for letting us be here every year and bring all this music to you.
Any plans for some new music? You guys doing any studio work?
The Fretliners: Actually we are in the midst of – this is Taylor here. We’re in the midst of compiling all our music right now and just getting all our demos together in ducks in a row. We’re gonna be working on a new record here. Lately we recorded an EP called Three of a Kind and that was a result of winning the Telluride band competition. We got some studio time over at eTown with James Tuttle and it was mastered by David Glasser. So we got a chance to work with some of the best in the industry and it was such a treat. We got to record three great songs, three different singers and writers. It’s a cool little EP project thing that we got to do.
Shawna Sprowls: Yes, I actually have checked it out. It’s even available on Apple Music. I came across it and went, wait, they have new music I didn’t know about? But I played a track yesterday. What do we have next? Where are you heading? After RockyGrass, do you have any more shows coming?
The Fretliners: Yeah, this is Sam here. This upcoming weekend, we’ve got a festival in Idaho Springs called Rapidgrass. We’re playing Friday there, and then we’re going to head to Del Norte and play Rhythms on the Rio. Just got a couple great Colorado festivals. Both of them have some really supreme lineups. Different locations of the state so they each have their own little flavor and we’re excited to be at both of them this upcoming weekend. I’m looking forward to both of those. This is going to be a really good time.
Shawna Sprowls: All right. Anything else after that?
The Fretliners: Just so we don’t leave anything out, you can find all our upcoming dates on our website, thefretliners.com. We’ve got a little tour section on there. You can see if we’ll be near you.
Shawna Sprowls: That’s fantastic. You can find their music and bios and all kinds of great things. I think they’ve got a Facebook page as well.
The Fretliners: Also, following us as an artist on Spotify allows for notifications that get sent to you. You get notifications that we’re playing a show in your area.
Shawna Sprowls: It’s a really good thing to do. Bands that you love, like the Fretliners, it’s really good to follow them on Spotify. Because it really helps with their metrics and makes them more popular, makes them show up to other people. Help the bands that you love. Because the music industry is a cruel beast. So they need us all to support them in every way possible.
The Fretliners: It’s complex.
Shawna Sprowls: Okay, we’ll leave it at ‘complex’. Is this your only day on the farm or on the ranch? Do you have to leave? You’re here all weekend. Maybe get to sit in with anybody else? A little cross pollination, maybe?
The Fretliners: Yeah, Sunday morning with the Solar Sisters. Sam Parks and I will be sitting in and doing a number with KC Groves and them, so really looking forward to that. Oh, and we’ll be in the campground with Sam Park’s family on site, so come find us, and we’ll do some pickin’.
Shawna Sprowls: Late night pickin’ folks. That’s it, the Fretliners. Find them, they’ll be at the Sam Park family campground. I’m sure that they’ll be psyched to have everybody come by and pick late. Really appreciate it. Congratulations again on being only the second band ever to win both Telluride and RockyGrass. It’s a big deal. And we appreciate you.
The Fretliners: Thanks for having us. Hey, we appreciate you. We love you, KGNU.
Shawna Sprowls: Oh, we love you. Thank you, Fretliners.
