Biography
William "Grit" Laskin functions as a singer and songwriter, plays numerous instruments, and constructs fine acoustic instruments. He has distinguished himself within the Canadian folk community since the 1970s, beginning as a member of Friends of the Fiddler's Green, later collaborating with Ian Robb, and ultimately working alone. His command extends to guitar, tenor mandolin, Northumbrian smallpipes, concertina, and fiddle, while his repertoire spans jigs and reels to shanties and songs from the British Isles.
An arresting and elusive stage artist whose compositions have been recorded by Pete Seeger and the Tannahil Weavers, Laskin delivers a rich baritone that recalls Martin Carthy and maintains a comparable regard for traditional folk forms. Engaging and direct with audiences, he also crafts incisive original material, though his recorded catalog stays modest in size while remaining consistently outstanding. In addition, he operates Borealis Records together with Bill Garrett, Paul Mills, and Ken Whiteley.
Laskin received his first guitar at age nine. In his late teens he completed a two-year apprenticeship with Jean Larrivee, which positioned him to open his own workshop by age twenty. An inventive builder, he earned international recognition for distinctive body shapes and elaborate graphic inlays that depict ordinary people engaged in ordinary activities. Each instrument requires roughly 150 hours of work, allowing him to complete about one per month for players facing a three-year waiting list. Viewed today as a leading master of the craft, Laskin has written numerous articles and conducted courses on instrument construction. Those unable to acquire one of his guitars often wish he would devote greater time to songwriting instead.
An arresting and elusive stage artist whose compositions have been recorded by Pete Seeger and the Tannahil Weavers, Laskin delivers a rich baritone that recalls Martin Carthy and maintains a comparable regard for traditional folk forms. Engaging and direct with audiences, he also crafts incisive original material, though his recorded catalog stays modest in size while remaining consistently outstanding. In addition, he operates Borealis Records together with Bill Garrett, Paul Mills, and Ken Whiteley.
Laskin received his first guitar at age nine. In his late teens he completed a two-year apprenticeship with Jean Larrivee, which positioned him to open his own workshop by age twenty. An inventive builder, he earned international recognition for distinctive body shapes and elaborate graphic inlays that depict ordinary people engaged in ordinary activities. Each instrument requires roughly 150 hours of work, allowing him to complete about one per month for players facing a three-year waiting list. Viewed today as a leading master of the craft, Laskin has written numerous articles and conducted courses on instrument construction. Those unable to acquire one of his guitars often wish he would devote greater time to songwriting instead.
Albums
