BOWKER CREEK five peice band has its roots firmly established in Victoria, and most live within a “banjo’s throw” of Bowker Creek! The band consists of Duncan Sutherland (guitar and vocals), Renata Young (vocals and guitar), Martin Matychuk (bass and vocals), Dan Ready (mandolin and guitar), and Doug VanDine (banjo) . Influences range from folk, bluegrass, country, rock ‘n roll, old time, swing, and jazz, They’ve all played in various other groups in the Victoria area, and some further afield. The voice of one band member has been described as “raw and earthy”;another has toured with Canadian Country Music Award winner, Patricia Conroy, another also plays in a Victoria rhythm and blues band, and yet another plays with a swing band “Guaranteed you’ll love Bowker Creek’s song selection, harmonies and musical energy”. http://www.myspace.com/bowkercreek
Saturday, April 14th 2012 Paul O'Brien
Paul O’Brien is a songwriter with deep roots and broad horizons. In the space of one song, he can take his audience from foot stomping energy to the absolute stillness of choked-back tears. O’Brien is a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist with a gift for going straight to the emotional heart of the story, and taking his listeners with him - a working class poet with a knack for straightforward language and sweet melodies. In the tradition of folk / roots artists everywhere, he honours his musical roots by teaching guitar, mandolin and bodhran, the traditional Irish drum. http://www.myspace.com/paulobriensongs