The BIG MACHINE Holiday Social

Event Description

Folklorist Oliver Swain has spent over a decade searching out some lesser known Christmas spirituals from the early Delta and Appalachian traditions. BIG MACHINE will combine these with some more well known holiday favourites, lead some sing alongs and throw in a few of their hits for an evening celebrating the season.

BIG MACHINE
Two-Time Western Canada Music Award Winner and Juno Nominee Oliver Swain leads BIG MACHINE, an all-star line up of artists featuring elements of Bluegrass, Old-Time, Jazz and modern Songwriting. From his early days travelling the Appalachian Mountains and Mississippi Delta to touring the world with some of North America's most loved roots bands, The Bills, The Duhks and Outlaw Social(Pharis Romero), Swain has explored the depths of Americana music and written songs that experiment with the palette in surprising ways. BIG MACHINE has toured across North America with performances at Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg Folk Festivals and was twice selected as an Official Showcase artist for Folk Alliance International. Known for his astonishing vocal and instrumental abilities, Swain has assembled an ensemble of some of the greatest musicians and singers in Victoria including Glenna Garramone(Guitar, Piano, Vocals), Ashley Wey(Organ, Keys, Vocals), and Tyler Lieb(Pedal Steel, Guitars) with Swain rounding out the ensemble on String Bass and a hundred-and-fifty year old goat skin Banjo.

"This is genre defying at it's best...beautifully played and performed, each song a mini masterpiece" Paul Jackson, Fatea magazine UK

"Since I first discovered him, Oliver Swain has been one of my very Favorite artists, especially in a live setting" Tamara Kater, Director at Folk Music Canada

"My award for the very best session from a fine set of musical encounters [in Canmore]has to go to Big Machine...a rolling beast of a sound which seems to surprise and delight it's creators just as much as their audience." Peter Wrench, Eden on the Line, Tom Thumb Theatre UK