Translating the bleakness that a Prairie winter can impose into memorable bursts of inspirationally muted song is no easy feat. But for Saskatchewan roots-rockers The Deep Dark Woods, it is second nature.
Their excellent new record Winter Hours was released this past February and will see the group playing two shows in New Brunswick in support of it.
The first show is at Plan B on St. George Street in Moncton on Monday November 9 while their show in Fredericton at the Capital on Tuesday November 10 will see the group supporting Torontonians Elliott Brood.
The group, who are two time winners of Roots Group Of The Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, has had one of their busiest years to date, packing venues in Central and Western Canada alongside appearances on CBC’s Q radio program and completing a live recording session for HearYa in Chicago.
In addition to the above, The Deep Dark Woods were recently announced as the finalists to represent Saskatchewan in CBC’s Great Canadian Song Quest. The contest featured a selection of musicians and bands from each Canadian province and asked voters to pair up the musicians with a host of provincial landmarks. The finalists selected for each province are then tasked with composing a song about the landmark that was voted upon by the general public. It is undoubtedly an interesting concept that will see The Deep Dark Woods singing about the music venue Good Time Charlie’s in Regina.
Deep Dark Woods singer-songwriter Ryan Boldt is looking forward to his group’s first journey to the east coast after having spent much time playing shows in Canada and as well as the US:
“We’ve been to New York a number of times, Chicago, Portland and Vermont and are expecting to do more American shows this coming year,” Boldt says. “We can’t wait to come east. I’ve been as far as Nova Scotia and folks are mighty fine; the people remind me of Saskatchewan. Maybe because nobody pays attention to the east coast just like nobody gives a damn about Saskatchewan.”
Aside from the drive between shows being much shorter in the US, Boldt says there are far more similarities than differences in touring the two countries. He does joke that touring in Canada “makes you a man and builds character,” but is also a necessary part of paying your dues as a band.
To check out The Deep Dark Woods for yourself, head over to their website at www.thedeepdarkwoods.com and then be sure to check the band out at their upcoming Moncton and Fredericton shows.