Hillary Grace and Kara Belle Fretland are making a name for themselves.
The sisters from Snohomish front the Americana folk-rock band Fretland, which shares their family name.
The Fretland sisters provide the powerhouse vocals. They are joined by Kenny Bates on drums, Kyler Barnes on bass and Jake Haber on guitar. Hillary, who also plays guitar, writes the lyrics, and the sisters’ sidemen work out their musical parts.
Fretland will perform March 9 at the Marysville Opera House. But don’t fret if you have to miss the show — the band will also play March 15 at the Center Public House in Snohomish and April 28 at the Scuttlebutt Brewing Taproom in Everett.
Though they formed back in 2016, they didn’t seriously start booking gigs until about a year ago. Their first show? That was at last year’s Fisherman’s Village Music Festival in Everett.
More often than not Fretland gets compared to First Aid Kit, a sisterly folk duo from Sweden.
“That could very likely have to do with the sister blend,” Kara said.
Though Fretland considers itself an Americana folk-rock band, band members add their own touches of blues and country.
Hillary Grace, 26, and Kara Belle, 24, grew up in a musical family. Their mother wrote songs, played guitar and had a band. It didn’t take long for her daughters to follow in her footsteps.
“I’ve been harmonizing with every song Hill has written since she began writing them, really,” Kara Belle said.
Fretland’s first EP was recorded live at Hillary’s Monroe home. Songs on “Fretland: At the Shabin” include “Black N Gold,” “Friendly Fire,” “Heaven” and Living a Dream.”
The band is working on a full-length album after exceeding a $12,000 Kickstarter goal. They’ll start recording in May.
One of Hillary’s favorite songs right now is “Have Mercy on Me.” It’s a song about healing from heartbreak from the heartbreaker’s point of view.
“I feel like whenever you write a song, it’s your new favorite,” she said.
But first, the Marysville show.
“Getting local support means so much to me,” Hillary said. “We all want somebody from our town that we can root for. I would love if people can come and see if we’re a band they can get behind.”
If you go
Fretland will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $10. Children 10 and younger get in free. Tickets may also available at the door, if not sold out. For more information, call 360-363-8400 or visit www.marysvillewa.gov.
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