There’ll be a chance to hear folk, rock and bluegrass at a trio of upcoming Tractorgrease concerts.
First, on Sept. 9, Dan Walsh will take to the stage. Walsh (banjo, guitar, vocals) was nominated for best musician at last year’s BBC Folk Awards.
Describing what Dan does is no easy task but at the heart of it is British, Irish and American folk music delivered with a healthy dose of funky grooves — all performed with his unique and dazzling take on claw-hammer style banjo helping to challenge all preconceptions about the instrument. Add to all that, poignant songs, astonishing musical departures and lively humour and the result is a truly memorable live show which has wowed audiences across the world from intimate seated rooms to huge dancing crowds in festival fields.
He performs Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets $12.
The following day, on Sunday, Sept. 10, it’ll be bluegrass, swing and everything in between as The Soda Crackers perform.
The Soda Crackers serve up a spicy gumbo of bluegrass, vintage country, swing and jazz. These long-time musical cohorts have played together and been active in the Vancouver bluegrass scene as performers, teachers and mentors for more than 25 years.
Band members are: Sue Malcolm (vocals and guitar), Don Fraser (vocals, guitar, and dobro), and Stu MacDonald (vocals and bass). Plus, banjo wizard Devon Wells will be joining them for this show.
The Soda Crackers perform Sunday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets $12.
Jamming session: Join The Soda Crackers from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 10 for a relaxed, family friendly beginner jam. Bring your instruments and the band will lead you through some easy bluegrass songs using Sue Malcolm’s legendary “slow pitch jam” method. No music reading needed. Tickets $5, kids five and under are free.
And on Sept. 14, Chilliwack’s Kellen Saip will join Ryan McMahon of the band Lion Bear Fox at 7 p.m.
Saip is an up-and-coming singer songwriter from Ladner who currently lives in Chilliwack. His music gently fuses folk and blues with subtle undertones of faith and soul that derived from his family gospel roots. His old soul but forever young mentality helps explore a melodic guitar sound mixed with organically adapting vocals. Saip’s lyrics and vocals together deliver an intimate experience that can one minute be sweet and silky like a fine wine and the next raspy and strong that hits you harder than a cheap shot of whiskey.
Over the course of his career, McMahon has toured Canada countless times, released four full-length albums, and seen his music licensed nationally and abroad. He has shared the stage with an extremely wide-variety of artists, ranging from Lisa Loeb &Buffy Ste. Marie to Nickelback &Mother Mother. He’s had the honour of participating in various music festivals, and has three wins (Male Vocalist, Record &Artist of the Year) out of five nominations at the Vancouver Island Music Awards in 2012. In 2012, Ryan co-founded Lion Bear Fox, with song-writing colleagues Cory Woodward &Christopher Arruda, and the band was immediately named as one of the Top 20 Finalists for the 2013 Peak Performance Project in Vancouver.
The two perform together on Thursday, Sept. 14. Tickets $15.
All events take place at Tractorgrease Cafe (48710 Chilliwack Lake Rd.). For more info, or to buy tickets, call 604-858-3814 or email tractorgrease@gmail.com.
