In a world where the music charts are dominated by manufactured acts, TV talent shows and over-produced songs, Pretty Gritty are out to show success can still be achieved through hard work, disappointments, perseverance, and most importantly their cultivated, timeless and classic Rootsy-Americana sound.” –Boulent Mustafa, UK
“Pushing rootsy-Americana sounds into an edgy, alternative space.” -The Daily Country
“The debut single off the album shows the essence of their songwriting. The harmonies between Portland duo Sarah and Blaine are rich in tranquility. They really do capture the lyrics when they sing “two hearts beating in perfect time“.
“The future is luminous!” -Mike Davies, FATEA
“The album makes you wonder and drift into somewhere else. Isn’t that what good music is meant to do?” -Sydell Faith, The Early Bird Eater
“Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’ is emotional and touches hearts, when listening to it the country backing allows for a feeling of relaxation. The lyrics are beautiful and relatable which makes listening to the tune a really good experience.” -Memoona Ali, MEMOONA Blogs, Full Review
“Pretty Gritty might be another duo emerging from a sea of female/male acts as of late, but there is nothing typical about these two.” -Myra Ivy, Paste Magazine, Full Review
“There is something simply divine coming out of Portland Oregon and it’s the duo Pretty Gritty. Their release Seven Year Itch is a colorful palette of their songwriting and multi-instrumental skills. Sarah and Blaine have a sound that is a timeless treasure, they also succeed in bringing something fresh to the rootsy-Americana genre. Pretty Gritty is a flawless fit.”-Lou Flesh, No Depression, Full Review
“Pretty Gritty is one of the most refreshing duos in the Folk/Americana space right now. They achieve a harmony and display a chemistry that no other male/female duo has managed to do in the modern era of Roots-Rockin’ sounds. Sever Year Itch is a must-add to your collection.” -Joshua Smotherman, Middle Tennessee Music
Friday Firsts – Purple Revolver
On new album Seven Year Itch, co-vocalists and bandleaders Sarah Wolff and Blaine Heinonen sing songs that feel alive, like make-out sessions on warm lake sand and tasting raw honey; smelling sweet pine and sipping expensive whiskey by the jar. Like a male-female Everly Brothers they vocalize and play what’s come to be known as Americana. Lou Flesh – Portland Music News
“The ability to sing in tandem is one thing, but the tug and tension between the two adds authenticity.” -Lee Zimmerman, Relix Magazine, Full Review
“Pretty Gritty is the type of music where you constantly tell yourself that you really love the singer’s voices and that you could listen to them all day.” –The Vinyl Anachronistic
Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | CD Baby
‘PRETTY GRITTY’ CREATE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Creative and Dreams Music Network and Fred Cannon KHS, are proud to welcome the soulful Americana duo Pretty Gritty to our talented family.
Proving that Pretty is as Gritty does, Blaine Heinonen and Sarah Wolff, the soulful, Americana duo known as Pretty Gritty has just released a full album of music, Seven Year Itch. Ten of the twelve songs are self-penned and produced by the powerhouse production team of Fred Cannon and Paul Buono and instantly caught the attention of the international music scene.
Pretty Gritty might be another duo emerging from a sea of female/male acts as of late, but there is nothing typical about these two. Being described as having male-female Everly Brothers harmonies they give us their rendition of All I Have To Do is Dream. Sarah and Blaine have cultivated a sound that is both timeless and classic, as delivered in the new single Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, yet they still succeed in bringing something fresh to the table, pushing rootsy-Americana sounds into an edgy, alternative space.
Both members utilize their multi-instrumental skills to sing, play stringed instruments and hold down back-beats, all simultaneously for a truly engaging experience. But they are not simply just entertainers. It is their mesmerizing vocal harmonies and beautifully crafted songwriting that really tug at the heartstrings and earn them life-long fans.
These two have carved out a reputation as a must-see live act, allowing them to open for such acts as Tim O’Brian, Tony Trischka, Chris Eldridge, Rod Picott, Lake Street Dive, Ben Sollee, Larry the Cable Guy, Josh Gracin. Lake Street Dive and Joe Newberry.
The first Ep recording for Creative and Dreams, ‘Lonely Road’ in 2015 showcased the duo’s unique and delicate harmonies to perf
ection – but don’t be fooled, Cannon/Buono made sure that each track also packed a Pretty Gritty punch!
Lonely Road’ includes covers as well as original songs. As you commence to listen to this exciting product, you are introduced to an amazing vocal cover rendition of ” A Thousand Miles from Nowhere ” by Dwight Yoakam. This is a beautiful and warm initiation to a wonderfully harmonic presentation of this talented group. Pretty Gritty have taken Jeff Buckley’s legendary composition ‘Forget Her’ and made it their own; not an easy task. Their arrangement and harmonies are both mesmerizing and memorable. This is a track you will want to revisit time and time again and you will definitely not forget her! And just when you think you have heard every possible version of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’, Pretty Gritty take your breath away with a rendition that is unique without detracting from Parton’s very heart and soul. Pretty Gritty’s versatility also shines through on their original compositions; ‘Best of Me’ is as soulful and reflective as ‘Pleased to Meet You’ is quirky and upbeat. Cannon/Buono have chosen to produce a sound that allows Pretty Gritty’s unique vocal harmonies to speak for themselves; a creative decision that enables ‘Lonely Road’ to stand head and shoulders above others in its class.
Originally from Rockville, Maryland, on the US East Coast, Blaine and Sarah discovered their passion for music at school, where they both played in their respective school bands. Later, their musical paths crossed periodically, but it was not until a mutual friend asked them to perform a duet at an ‘open mic’ that they realized they had a winning combination.
Sarah came up with the name ‘Pretty Gritty’ while describing their sound during an interview and, as Blaine explains, “Not too polished, not too raw. Just enough of both.” They are currently touring the US West Coast where they have been warmly received and are playing sold out gigs.
Pleased to meet you, Pretty Gritty!
For more information about Pretty Gritty, please contact us at info@creativeanddreamsmusicnetwork.com.
Links
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Pretty Gritty shines from every angle with “Seven Year Itch” via No Depression
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http://thatgreenhen.com/pretty-gritty-on-pretty-gritty/
Open-ended Radio Interview
1. How old were you when you first started playing music?
2. How did you meet and when did you found Pretty Gritty?
3. I’m sure all our listeners want to know why you chose your name, Pretty Gritty?
4. You’re both multi-instrumentalists. Please name the instruments you bring to the stage when you perform.
5. Do you have a preference for the size and setting of venues when performing your music?
6. Any stories you’d like to share regarding your experiences while performing as an opening act in concert?
7. You’ve recorded 3 CDs and your debut CD won 3 IMC Awards in 2012. Congrats and how exciting was that?
8. You have a large and loyal fan base. That has to be quite special for you?
9. Your new EP has 6 songs and is titled Lonely Road. Why did you choose the title Lonely Road for this CD?
10. Please tell us more about your experience of recording your new CD, Lonely Road.
11. What was your inspiration for your song “Best Of Me”?
12. And how about your song “Pleased To Meet You”?
13. What inspired your song “Running Scared”?
14. How does it feel to now be a part of the musical family of Creative and Dreams Music Network?
15. Where can our listeners find Pretty Gritty on social media?
16. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview on our station.
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