Oliver Swain has been a celebrated musician for years, held in high regard in acoustic and folk music styles for both his astonishing instrumental and vocal abilities, though he seldom gives the genre a fully traditional treatment. Oliver Swain strays towards the whimsical, the spiritual, and the socially conscious side of what he likes to refer to as “chamber folk odyssey”, and it’s these beguiling and provocative elements that make him unique as an artist and songwriter.
Oliver Swain got his start performing and writing with many of the US and Canada’s most loved roots bands including The Bills, The Duhks, Outlaw Social and The Red Stick Ramblers. He’s a two time Prairie Music Award (WCMA) winner, Juno nominee and has a few “M” (Monday Magazine) and Times Colonist Music Awards under his belt. In 2011 he released In A Big Machine, hailed as “Absolutely mesmerizing”and “one of the best albums of 2011, regardless of genre”, touring across Canada and the US including Folk Alliance International, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Music Festival, and countless others. Between his own shows and tours, Oliver also runs the Victoria Django Festival each February in his home city, and recently toured as one half the Leonard Cohen tribute duo project Tower of Song, as well as playing bass and some vocals with his new rock band, Fans & Motor Supply Co..
Nils Loewen seeks to break down the Performer/Audience split. His songs are set around catchy melodies with audience percussion and harmonies. With his cello, mandolin, and guitar he melds classical training with campfire grooves. Nils has been a performing around the Okanagan with the bands Richie and the Poor Boys, Leo Piano Trio, and Birds of Cray, Swamp Honey as well as supporting many other projects.
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