Anyone who has suffered from the travel bug should take a particular interest in the next group to raise the roof at Invermere’s Station Neighbourhood Pub. Broken Down Suitcase is a roots-inspired folk duo comprised of a Kiwi and a Canuck who will be delivering meaningful music with soul when they place their show on Friday, November 2.
“Basically we call it old time banjo pickin harmony singing,” said Ben Caldwell.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Caldwell grew up listening to his father’s vinyl collection, realizing his love of music through such greats as Simon and Garfunkle, and Fleetwood Mac. Moving to Golden in 2008 solidified his folk and roots sound when met Toronto-born musician Eric Larocque and the two started Broken Down Suitcase. Larocque, who plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica, has been playing music most of his life, but it’s only in the last five years that his appreciation of it deepened. His vision for folk music preservation was shared by Caldwell and the two developed a range of styles from Americana, blues and traditional folk to rock and roll and indie rock. Since forming, the group has played just over 1,000 shows.
“It’s a lot of traditional songs that we’ve revamped and made a little more lively,” Caldwell said, “but there’s a lot of blues thrown in there as well.”
Caldwell plays mandolin, banjo and guitar, and uses a stomp box to provide a backbeat to the duo’s different sound.
He and Larocque released their first self-titled album in June before leaving for a summer European tour that included the U.K., Scotland, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Broken Down Suitcase will bring you on a journey back in time to bygone eras of musical history so come prepared for high energy songs loaded with stories, timeless melodies and contemporary harmonies.
The multi-set show will start at 9 p.m. and there’s no cover. To listen to their music, visit. www.brokendownsuitcaseband.com.
