The Fretless

This award-winning Canadian foursome has firmly established itself on the international music scene with prolific playing, masterful compositions, iconic collaborations, and electrifying live shows. The Fretless has expanded the idea of what a string quartet can be, transforming fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, high-energy arrangements. Their ensemble of two fiddles, a viola, and a cello produces a rich, multi-layered, and distinctive percussive sound that redefines contemporary folk music.  

Since forming in 2011, The Fretless has toured extensively across Canada and worldwide, including Australia, South and North America, and seven European tours—playing historic small halls to prestigious stages such as the Cologne Philharmonic, Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra Hall, Shetland Folk Festival, Festival Internacional Cervantino, and two sold-out shows at Celtic Connections. At home, they’ve captivated audiences at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Small Halls, Hillside Festival, and Mariposa Folk Festival. They also had the honour of sharing the bill with legendary Canadian fiddler Natalie MacMaster for Canada Scene at the National Arts Centre.  

In 2012, The Fretless had a breakout year with their debut album, Waterbound, winning Instrumental Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and Instrumental Group of the Year and Ensemble of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA). Their follow-up, The Fretless, won Ensemble of the Year at the CFMAs and features “Waving To Ryan,” one of their most streamed songs. In 2015, Bird’s Nest solidified their place in the roots music scene, earning a 2016 Juno award for Instrumental Album of the Year. Recorded live in a historic barn in upstate New York, their 2018 release, Live from the Art Farm, won a CFMA for Best Ensemble and a second Juno nomination. In 2021, The Fretless released their most ambitious recording — Open House, a 10-track guest singer collaboration featuring an astounding list of powerhouse vocalists. This album solidified The Fretless as an ever-evolving, transcendent group, earning them a Juno nomination for Contemporary Album of the Year in 2022.

Live from the Art Farm taught The Fretless to find a deep traditional groove, while Open House pushed them to explore new sounds and techniques. Influenced by these previous concept records, which expanded their arranging toolkit, The Fretless is set to release Glasswing — an album filled with breath, space, intention, and life. Opening up their writing and arranging process for the first time, they welcomed accomplished singer/songwriter Madeleine Roger to co-write three songs. 

Experimental in nature, Glasswing feels effortless—capturing magical performance moments, superb subtleties, and over a decade of playing together. The Fretless’s sound has never been more cohesive. With expert musicianship and a one-of-a-kind musical experience, the Glasswing tour will invite audiences to connect deeply, sharing a profound passion for music on an entirely new level.

The Fretless is Trent Freeman (Fiddle/Viola), Karrnnel Sawitsky (Fiddle/Viola), Ben Plotnick(Fiddle/Viola), and Eric Wright (Cello)… with Madeleine Roger on vocals.

Awards:

 2017 JUNO Award – Instrumental Album of the Year (The Fretless)

 2014 CFMA – Ensemble of the Year (The Fretless)

 2014 WCMA – Instrumental Album of the Year (The Fretless)

 2012 CFMA – Ensemble of the Year (The Fretless)

 2012 CFMA – Instrumental Group of the Year (The Fretless)

 2012 WCMA – Instrumental Album of the Year (The Fretless)

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