Press Clippings
“Marv Machura creates pure Canadiana, spinning tales that span the breadth of this land. Delivered with a smooth gentle voice, songs about Saskatchewan, grain trains, and Canadian whiskey spring easily from this longtime songwriter and roots music performer who has published over twenty songs in Nashville.” John Rutherford, Alberta Sessions
Marv Machura's hair is in a death battle with Corb Lund's for Alberta roots' greatest ever coif—and I think Marv's is winning. (Blue Chair Café, by donation) - Eden Munro, Vue Weekly
Warm Summer Night
Johnny Horton bold, Marv Machura’s Alberta voice reminds me both of Ian Tyson and the singers from 1960s Hawaiian films. His settings are almost outside and surprisingly sexy at times, and more than once alluding to nature’s favourite transaction. I like Machura’s direct style, plus the fact he looks like a northside headbanger at Grad ’85. And uses the word “frickin” in a song about buffalo. Yeah!
Fish Griwkowsky See Weekly
Legacy Review
By Ron Chalmers
Warm Summer Night
Marv Machura shows influences of Ian Tyson, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, and John Denver on this, his third CD—while creating a highly original work with eight of the nine compositions being original compositions.
Machura opens with “Woods of the Cree,” revealing a spiritual connection with the energetic rhythms of Aboriginal music, layered with thoughtful lyrics.
The vocal style is strong, clear, open, and unpretentious. It seems naturally suited to acoustic instruments, but Machura casts himself against type, opting for electric guitars and power chords. The combination works surprisingly well. Most of the songs are rich in Alberta references with upbeat, romantic themes.
Machura’s one traditional inclusion, “Buffalo Skinner” is a brilliant departure from the usual description of a tedious, dreary life. Here, the bass is amped up and you’re reminded that the massacre of the those great herds was bloody, chaotic, and terrifying—and living with men who chose that work could be even worse.
Vocalists Ann Vriend, Dahlia Wakefield, and Marty Siltanen join in duets, adding depth and colour. The three-piece band, with drummer Steve Hoy and guitarist Gary Koliger (who also produced the album), plus Machura also on guitar, sounds a lot bigger than just a trio.
Warm Summer Night finds Machura setting things in motion with a good kick on the big and heavy '70s-style rock of "Woods of the Cree," before opening it up a bit for the title track. On the next track, "Hold You," Machura duets skillfully with Ann Vriend, while Dhalia Wakefield and Marty Siltanen offer welcome backing vocals throughout. There's a folk-inspired vibe that carries through the record as Machura sings original songs that are right out of the tradition of narrative songwriting, telling stories of blizzards, badlands and oil patches. He can turn it up loud, too, as he does for a crushing take on the traditional "Buffalo Skinner." Eden Munro Vue Weekly
“A winning singer and talented guitar player” – Penguin Eggs
Marv is the essential Alberta Roots musician.
His songs cover the gamut of the Prairie experience from Cowboy love songs, to First-nation legends, to hockey stories. He is a prolific songwriter, telling great stories within and between his songs. He leads a great band that have the chops in spades...
and you'll love his hair. –Blue Chair Cafe
Strong year for local releases: other rootsy highlights were Trevor Tchir's sparse Sky Locked Land, Marv Machura's happy Warm Summer Night, Scott Cook's This One's on the House. –Fish Griwkowsky
“Folk rocker insists on keeping up with the western flavour and that authenticity is what Machura has strived for throughout his career -Carson Mills, Stony Plain Reporter
