Oliver Swain’s BIG MACHINE & The Unfaithful Servants

The Unfaithful Servants
Described as “BC’s most exciting Newgrass band,” The Unfaithful Servants have carved a name for themselves as one of Canada’s most acclaimed acoustic acts. With explosive instrumentals, compelling story-telling, and high-powered vocals, they deliver a fresh and dynamic take on folk, bluegrass, and Americana.

The band’s sophomore record Fallen Angel (October 2025) represents an exciting new chapter for the group. Produced by Adrian Dolan (The Wailin’ Jennys, The Bills), Fallen Angel showcases a band at the height of its powers — a record that distills the very essence of The Unfaithful Servants’ sound.

The Unfaithful Servants are anchored by the virtuosic mandolin playing of Jesse Cobb—who has performed with Béla Fleck, David Grisman, Dierks Bentley, and Lee Ann Womack, and held residency at the Grand Ole Opry—and the prolific songwriting of Dylan Stone, who has shared stages with Keith Urban, Robert Randolph, Colin James, and Lou Reed. The group has evolved into a powerhouse quartet, joined by young fiddle prodigy Quin Etheridge-Pedden and bassist Mark Johnson, whose background in jazz and American roots music adds depth, drive, and groove to the band’s dynamic sound.

https://www.unfaithfulservants.com/

“The Unfaithful Servants are one of the most exciting bands from Vancouver Island in some time…gorgeous harmonies and fine song writing, beautiful instrumental interplay and some seriously rippin’ solos.”
— Kelly Nakatsuka, CBC/Islands Folk Festival

“Explosive instrumental prowess.”

Oliver Swain’s BIG MACHINE
Two-Time Western Canada Music Award Winner and Juno Nominee, Oliver Swain leads BIG MACHINE, an all-star lineup of artists featuring elements of Bluegrass, Psych-Rock, Old-Time and modern Songwriting. From his early days travelling the Appalachian Mountains and Mississippi Delta to touring the world with some of North America’s most loved roots bands, The Bills, The Duhks, The Red Stick Ramblers and Outlaw Social(Pharis Romero), Swain has explored the depths of Americana music and written songs that experiment with the palette in surprising ways.
Known for his astonishing vocal and instrumental abilities, Swain has assembled a group of some of the greatest musicians and singers in Victoria including Glenna Garramone(Guitar, Piano, Vocals), Ashley Wey(Organ, Keys, Vocals), Tyler Lieb(Pedal Steel, Guitars) and Alex Campbell(Drums) with Swain rounding out the ensemble on String Bass and a hundred-and-fifty year old goat skin Banjo.
https://oliverswain.com/

“Since I first discovered him, Oliver Swain has been one of my very Favorite artists, especially in a live setting,”
– Tamara Kater, Director at Folk Music Canada

“This is genre-defying at its best…beautifully played and performed, each song a mini masterpiece”
– Paul Jackson, Fatea magazine, UK

“My award for the very best session from a fine set of musical encounters [at Canmore Folk Festival]has to go to Big Machine…a rolling beast of a sound which seems to surprise and delight its creators just as much as their audience.”
– Peter Wrench, Eden on the Line, Tom Thumb Theatre UK