Stephen Fretwell is an English singer-songwriter from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, with rock and indie influences. Born in 1981, he attends St. Augustine Webster Primary School in Scunthorpe and St. Bede's Catholic School in Ashby before studying at John Leggott College, where he starts his first band, Label. He later moves to Salford in autumn 2000 and begins to attract attention in Manchester’s music scene.

Early career

After leaving university after one year, and after attending only two lectures, Fretwell turns to guitar and performs at local acoustic nights in Manchester. His first of these is at The Roadhouse in the Northern Quarter, where he impresses the audience. Around this period he writes songs including “Emily” and “What’s That You Say Little Girl?”. He also forms a band earlier in his life to show his ability to a wider audience.

He is a fan of Britpop-era bands including Oasis, Blur, The Bluetones, Radiohead and Suede, and names Bob Dylan as his main influence. He learns guitar by playing Dylan songs on his grandfather’s unused guitar.

Recordings and releases

Fretwell releases 8 Songs on Northern Ambition, a label owned by a friend, and later describes it as the record he makes to prove to himself that he can release a proper album. He then puts out the self-financed Something's Got to Give EP and The Lines. His debut album Magpie is released in November 2004, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and issued through Fiction Records. The first single from the album is “Run”, followed by “Emily”, which gains strong radio play, and his final single is the Four Letter Words EP.

He later releases Man on the Roof, which receives the same critical response as Magpie, and includes songs such as “Funny Hat” and “Now”.

Recognition and collaborations

As his profile grows, Fretwell supports acts including Travis, Elbow, Athlete, Keane and KT Tunstall. He gains notice from publications such as NME and Q Magazine. Q Magazine describes him as “Scunthorpe's finest export... ever”, while The Times says “Not in your face but in your heart? Yes”.

His song “Run” becomes the theme tune to the sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

Style

Fretwell is known for his curly ginger hair, sombre lyrics and gravelly deep voice.