Deep Dark Woods

Contemporary folk, Americana, singer-songwriters

The Deep Dark Woods are torch-bearers of the ever-fruitful Canadian songwriting scene. Along with the dreamy, lyrical songwriting of fellow Canadians like Whitehorse (Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland), the Deep Dark Woods may be of interest to fans of the Fleet Foxes, the Cave Singers, the Decemberists, the Punch Brothers, and other such barrier-testing indie folk bands. Long time folkies and fans of the Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Simon and Garfunkel, and Joni Mitchell may all enjoy the Deep Dark Woods' thoughtful, considerate, emotional songwriting.

Ryan Boldt - vocals
Burke Barlow - guitar
Chris Mason - bass, vocals
Lucas Goetz - drums, pedal steel, other instruments
Geoff Hilhorst - organ

Place I Left Behind (Sugarhill, 2012) compare prices

Winter Hours (Black Hen Music, 2009) compare prices

Hang Me Oh Hang Me (Black Hen Music, 2008) compare prices

"The Place I Left Behind" (from The Place I Left Behind)
"Two-Time Loser" (from Winter Hours)
"The Ballad of Frank Dupree" (from The Place I Left Behind)

Borne of the Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canadian songwriting scene (such as it is), the Deep Dark Woods lives up to its name. The band blends rich harmonies with a certain airy quality which reaches for echoic, magical, ruminative energy...in other words, all the things you might attribute to being in the deep, dark woods. That said, the band is rooted deeply in the traditional music of North America, swinging with blues and folk energy.

Throughout their four albums, the Deep Dark Woods have maintained a grasp on the thin line between traditional and contemporary folk music. They've done so with considerable elan and proficiency, earning awards for Best Roots Group at the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards, and Ensemble of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

For the album which earned them those accolades - 2009's Winter Hours - they teamed up with acclaimed Canadian producer Steve Dawson at the Factory studio in Vancouver, BC. Dawson is best known for his work with folks like Kelly Joe Phelps, Old Man Luedecke, and the Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project (featuring Madeleine Peyroux, Bruce Cockburn, and more). An artist in his own right, Dawson brought a certain creative approach to the music which accentuated the Deep Dark Woods' already somewhat ethereal approach to their music with a richly rooted contemporary energy.

Similar to others in their generation of Canadian folk music, the Deep Dark Woods play music which is both wintry and heartbroken while maintaining a firm grip on the grand tradition of acoustic music. Their lyrics are nuanced and provocative, deeply poetic, and haunting. Instrumentally, they sound like they're straddling a line between the contemporary stringbands coming from the rich musical traditions of Appalachia these days and those pouring out of the rainy Pacific Northwest.

Not much has been written about how the band met and formed, and who they count among their influences, but it's not hard to imagine they've listened to their share of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and probably even Tom Waits. With the more recent addition of organ to their sound, they've added a certain moody quality.

In all, the band has dropped four albums and made countless appearances throughout the North American folk and roots music club and festival circuit. Their appearances at Pickathon and the Americana Music Association's annual Nashville-based festival have gained them considerable attentin here in the States. Look for them on the road near you.