An English singer and songwriter who utilizes storytelling to express nuanced and often complex ideas about his life, Stephen Fretwell landed a much-sought-after opening gig with local heroes Elbow and began releasing his music on a friend's Northern Ambition label. 8 Songs, the Something's Gotta Give EP, and The Lines, all released between 2001 and 2003, brought Fretwell to the attention of the press. He signed to Fiction Records in 2003 and released his first full-length, Magpie, recorded at Abbey Road studios in London. Fretwell recorded the follow-up to his debut album, Man on the Roof, in New York City; it was released in 2007. He ended up taking a lengthy break from music, returning 14 years later with his third studio album, 2021's Busy Guy.