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‘Amazing stuff’ at the Waverley

Popular Victoria folk and traditional musician Oliver Swain visits the Waverley Hotel in Cumberland Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. to promote his new CD, In A Big Machine.

Popular Victoria folk and traditional musician Oliver Swain visits the Waverley Hotel in Cumberland Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. to promote his new CD, In A Big Machine.

A tour of British Columbia and Alberta next month leads to a showcase in Memphis, Tenn., at the International Folk Alliance Conference.

“Absolutely amazing stuff. I was mesmerized from start to finish … In a Big Machine is poised to be one of the best albums of 2011, regardless of genre,” says Kenna Burima of the Calgary Folk Music Festival.

With his pure, finely tuned vocals that have an astonishing range, and his undeniable skill behind a banjo or upright bass, Swain grabs the attention of all who hear him, and holds it with his enormous sound and stature.

He’s shone at the forefront of the WCMA-nominated group Outlaw Social, held up the bottom end of The Bills, and even completed a one-year stint with Louisiana’s popular Red Stick Ramblers.

He’s won awards, supported many well-known Canadian musicians, and spearheaded an effort to bring a folk festival back to his hometown of Victoria.

Now, with his solo debut In A Big Machine, Swain is set to wow all who hear it with his stunning vocals, lulling banjo, and audacious upright bass, backed by the Big Machine band.

This highly anticipated album sees the culmination of several years touring his own original music throughout Canada, in between being an active member of the Victoria music scene and touring as a sideman overseas with Juno Award winner Toni Childs.

— ModMay

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