From within his parent's living room, a Victoria teenage musician has written, recorded and mixed his first full-length album of original compositions.
Crowned B.C.'s fiddle champion at the 51st provincial contest, held in Kamloops last year, 13-year-old Max Francis also plays every instrument for his new album titled Home.
“This album is destined to be regarded as one of the great debuts from an artist who is already revered in the international fiddle circles and will become a household name to Canadians,” said Daniel Lapp, owner of Victoria-based Woodbox Records, in a news release.
As well as holding the fiddling title for B.C., Francis has won numerous other championship titles in Texas, Florida, Weiser, Idaho and at the Canadian Grand Masters.
He has also won national awards as a classical violinist and composer and in 2023, shortly after his 12th birthday, he was a chosen soloist with the Victoria Symphony.
A launch party will be held on Sunday, March 2 to celebrate Francis' new album, where the teenage fiddler will perform music from his debut, accompanied by an all-star lineup including renowned West Coast artists Daniel Lapp, Adam Dobres and Adrian Dolan.
Hosted at Victoria's The Mint restaurant, 1414 Douglas St., tickets for the launch are $25 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under.
Tickets are available on the website: https://community.admitone.com/events.
