Dan and Laurel released their fifth album as a duo in early 2022. Recorded in the summer of 2020 in Dan’s Bonny Doon home studio under California’s Covid–19 stay-at-home order, just days before being evacuated due to a fast moving forest fire, After the Fire marks the end of an era and a fresh start; Dan’s little studio burned the morning after rescuing the rough tracks, studio equipment, and a range of instruments the duo plays, yet rarely has the space to bring with them on the road. Highlighting various guitars, drums and percussion, piano, bass, viola, cello, and harmonica, in addition to the duo's violin and acoustic 6-string guitar, showcases new dimensions of their versatility and helped them feel the joy of performing again, knowing that despite the setbacks of the past 2 years, their music will thrive in new ways. Each of the 10 new original songs portrays a facet of the journey from setback to reclaimed hope - finding faith in the possibility of LOVE in “Make Me Come Alive,” HOME in “Beale Street,” COMMUNITY in “Together Again” and “Money Shouldn’t Talk That Strong,” and one’s own STRENGTH and FORTITUDE in “If A Wave” and “Hey, It’ll Be OK.”

As their dramatic story continues to prove, fires, international border crossings, pandemics, and even UK car rentals with tires about to blow can’t stop Dan and Laurel.

Beyond their perseverance and the synchronicity of their meeting, Dan and Laurel’s backgrounds, musical palates, and even their personalities, make both an unexpected and extraordinary match. Fans note the sense that one is witnessing an outpouring of color, creativity, and artistry far more textured than the sum of its parts. Though each artist had a drastically different style of musical training and were influenced by contrasting musical backgrounds and artists, their commensurate dedication, experience, and the ways in which they inspire each other to grow and evolve musically, make Dan and Laurel a dynamic and unstoppable team. It also helps them craft concerts which offer a bit of something for everyone and it’s not unusual for the duo to hear that they turned someone who doesn’t typically like “folk music,” or “songs with vocals,” or “original music,” or “instrumentals,” or “violin music” or “acoustic music,” etc. into a fan who plans to go out and support live music more frequently. That’s an incredible feeling!

Recognized for their musical talents as children, Dan and Laurel each began performing, teaching, writing, and making their livings as musicians as teenagers. Both have enjoyed over 20 years as full time musicians, recording artists, and music educators, and have gathered broad influences along the way, ranging from Folk-Rock, Classical, Old Time and Celtic, to Gospel, Jazz, Vintage Country, Rock n' Roll, Blues, Ragtime, and Bluegrass. Dan and Laurel flow seamlessly through genres, tempos, stories, and moods, embodying each style with virtuosic command and keeping music fans on the edge of their seats. Enjoyment is palpable!

Dan Frechette is a musical force; As anyone who has ever met him can attest, he is a living, breathing folk festival who's songwriting has been appreciated by the likes of Bob Dylan, Tim O'Brien, Doc Watson, and David Bowie. Born in the frozen north of Manitoba, Canada and raised in the idyllic tiny town of Pinawa, Dan took an early obsession with music to the extreme, garnering the attention of major publishing which signed him a deal when he was just 17. Since 1992 he has learned to play 15 instruments across multiple genres, has written lyrics and music to well over 1500 original songs, released over 100 albums of original material, and has been performing high-energy, soulful concerts throughout North America and Europe. Dan’s prolific output, distinctive voice, and grassroots career path have led many luminaries to sing his songs and share their stages. Dan has opened for the likes of Dar Williams, Richard Thompson, Ron Sexsmith, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, and Iian Matthews of Fairport Convention. “Dan Frechette has never written a song I don’t like” says Ismaila Alfa of CBC Radio. Dan’s songs have been featured in movies and covered by artists around the world, including Ireland’s Dervish, Australia’s The Ploughboys, and Canada’s The Duhks for which he penned their hit singles "The Mists of Down Below" and “You Don’t See It.” Before teaming up with Laurel, Dan had already played most of the major North American folk festivals over the course of his solo career, including the Winnipeg, Edmonton, Mariposa, and Stan Rogers Festivals, and the Suwanee Springfest. He is considered one of Canada's iconic performers on acoustic guitar and harmonica, inspiring the career paths of many up-and-coming singer-songwriters now also touring internationally.

Laurel Thomsen, a California genre-bending violinist and violist, composer, author, and educator, has performed Classically and with a variety of bands and artists since she was a child. With a warm and resonant violin tone and an eloquent playing style that can both rock a solo or take a supportive role with atmosphere, texture, and groove, Laurel is frequently sought for her ability to add depth to diverse styles of music, both in the studio and on stage. Dubbed “The Hookmeister” by one California Bay Area recording engineer (a "hook" being a catchy musical motif in this instance), her knack for creating infectious melodies has saved more than one songwriter’s song from the chopping block. A composer since childhood, and an emerging songwriter and singer with a “remarkable singing voice” and “fascinating undertones and range,” Laurel’s writing explores emotion, empowerment, and life’s deeper questions. Passionate about not only sharing her music in performance, but also helping others find their musical expression, she is a longtime Strings magazine contributor, the author of several multi-media guides and courses on string playing technique, including her popular Complete Vibrato Mastery course now with thousand of students in over 50 countries, the creator and host of the popular Violin Geek Podcast, and as reported on the front page of the New York Times, since the age of 14 she has been an enthusiastic private, Skype, and workshop lessons instructor to dedicated violin, viola, and fiddle students around the world.

Dan and Laurel are quickly finding their niche on the North American and European folk circuits. However, hard work and dedication are only a facet of their relationship; as those who meet and hear them soon discover, “there is something incredibly romantic about these two and the way that their love story is told through their music.” Whether refueling back home, or creating their home at various tour stops around the globe, it’s clear to people who witness these two that their harmony extends well beyond the notes.