A hot meal. A place to stay. A place to play.

What more could a travelling musician ask for?

琉璃神社 venue Snedden House is providing all of that and more for artists on a budget coming through the city.

Michael and Cindy Snedden moved to 琉璃神社 in 2011 and have been hosting concerts in their living room ever since. While it started small, the Sneddens now pack over 30 people on average into their living room to listen to music.

And that鈥檚 truly what it鈥檚 about for them: listening.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to find a venue where it is intimate like this and people actually come to listen,鈥� said Cindy. 鈥淲hen we go to see music, we want a listening environment. We can provide that here.鈥�

Cindy said she likes to follow the bands they host and cited several bands who went on to be nominated for and win awards after playing at Snedden House. The Sneddens have Juno-nominated acts including Corin Raymond, Annie Lou and the Slocan Ramblers, along with various other award-winning bands.

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Michael Snedden watches on from the kitchen as the concert happens in his living room. (Michael Rodriguez - 琉璃神社)

The couple hosts a potluck at every show of which 鈥渢he band always eats first.鈥� Members of bluegrass band flocked to the buffet-style table and filled up their plates with home-cooked goods鈥攁 lot of which were provided by the Sneddens themselves.

Cindy and Michael Snedden talking while waiting in line for food. (Michael Rodriguez - 琉璃神社)

Dinner conversation ranged from the B.C. real estate market to the morality of DJing (general consensus from the band was that it鈥檚 not), but the band did not mince words when talking about the significance of venues like Snedden House.

鈥淭his is so necessary in the folk and acoustic space,鈥� said Maiken de Villiers, vocalist and bassist for the band.

They elaborated, saying shows like these provide another place to play between larger festivals in the summer and it helps them to come out of a long tour in the black.

Story House is currently on the way to Shady Grove Bluegrass festival in Nanton, AB. Members of the band said this show will help them cover travel costs, which can be significant.

The cover charge for the shows is by donation鈥攖he Sneddens recommend around $20鈥攁nd all proceeds go to the band.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really inspiring to get to know these musicians a little bit and we know that it鈥檚 hard for them,鈥� said Cindy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice that we can provide something that works for them鈥攁nd it really does work for them. We can feed them dinner and breakfast; usually they spend the night, too.鈥�

While a lot of work goes into putting on these shows, the Sneddens said they don鈥檛 see an end in sight.

鈥淚t can be exhausting,鈥� said Michael. 鈥淏ut every time it鈥檚 over, you think 鈥榯hat was the most awesome thing ever.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 so worth it.鈥�

You can find out what鈥檚 happening next at Snedden house by following them on or going to .

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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