The Fretless Album Release with Oliver Swain's Big Machine

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Friday, June 15th, 2012
Doors 7:30pm/Show 8:00pm

It was a happy collaboration that brought together The Fretless with Oliver Swain's BIG MACHINE. A trip to Memphis, Tennessee and the International Folk Alliance Conference saw the two conjoin when Fretless member Ivonne Hernandez agreed to play fiddle with the BIG MACHINE during the conference. Soon the two groups found themselves around the same table sawing fiddles and singing along into the wee hours of the morning. It was so inspiring a jam that the musicians made the pact to play a show together at the next opportunity, which has come about! Oliver Swain's BIG MACHINE is proud to join The Fretless on stage for their album release party at Fairfield United Church, in all it's acoustic glory.

The Fretless is an innovative young string quartet that performs original and traditional fiddle music in a setting that's one part chamber, one part kitchen jam. Hailing from all across North America, the members of The Fretless are Victoria's Ivonne Hernandez (violin, viola, step dancing, vocals), Vancouver's Trent Freeman (violin, viola, feet), Saskatoon's Karrnnel Sawitsky (violin/viola), and Eric Wright (cello), from Los Angeles, California. The foursome originally met as each other's competition at fiddle contests across North America, each winning titles like BC Provincial Fiddle Champion (Trent & Ivonne), Saskatchewan Provincial fiddle Champion (Karrnnel x4), Canadian National Fiddle Championship finalists (Trent, Ivonne, Karrnnel), Grand North American Fiddle Champion (Ivonne x5) and finalists (Trent, Karrnnel), and European Fiddle Champion (Ivonne).

"Since I first discovered him in 2008, Oliver Swain has been one of my very favorite artists, especially in a live setting...an evening spent with Oliver Swain will leave you breathless and joyful."
Tamara Kater, Executive Director, Folk Music Canada

Victoria BC's Oliver Swain delivers his own brand of alternative folk and traditional music to the masses with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He's spent the last fifteen or so years honing in his craft with various bands such as Outlaw Social, Scruj MacDuhk, and The Bills. He's won awards, supported many known Canadian musicians, and his solo debut, In A Big Machine was released to critical acclaim in 2011, including an award from Monday Magazine. The collective live version of Oliver Swain's BIG MACHINE has wowed fans from Victoria to Memphis, TN (where they showcased officially at the 2012 Folk Alliance Conference), and this incarnation includes Richard Moody (Violin), James Whittall (Mandolin), Kelby MacNayr (Percussion), and Quinn Bachand (Guitars).