First October dates for The Deep Dark Woods announced

Nearly two decades into their journey as one of Canada’s finest folk-roots ensembles, The Deep Dark Woods have become a band defined not by tradition, but by a tradition of their own making. Led by founding member Ryan Boldt, whose voice carries the subtle emotional weight of icons like Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch, and Jason Molina, the group blends classic folk sensibilities with a sound that feels quietly timeless. Boldt himself describes his relationship with music as obsessive and deeply physical, always searching for songs that bring “an aching pain in my chest”—a feeling that echoes through his nuanced, effortlessly precise performances.

Surrounding Boldt is a tight unit of seasoned musicians, including keyboard talent Geoff Hilhorst, veteran drummer Mike Silverman, and Evan Cheadle, along with a rotating cast of like-minded collaborators. Together, they evoke the spirit of legendary groups like The Band, mid-era Wilco, and even late ’60s UK folk collectives such as Fairport Convention and Pentangle—while still sounding unmistakably like themselves. Their catalogue has grown into a celebrated body of work, filled with acclaimed albums, EPs, and award nominations from across Canada.

The band’s most important recent milestone comes at the end of 2025 with the release of their new album, “The Circle Remains”, out on Victory Pool Records. Recorded through an analogue tape-heavy process with producer David Parry, the album leans into an organic, roots-driven atmosphere across its nine tracks. It’s been described as an exercise in understatement: a record that feels like it’s unfolding in a dark, fireplace-lit wood cabin, with the listener sitting close enough to hear every detail breathe.

One of the standout moments from the release is the single “Traded In Your Name”, a song Boldt originally wrote during the Changing Faces sessions but never fully completed until now. Revisited during recording, it came together quickly and naturally, with Cheadle contributing what Boldt calls “probably my favourite harmony ever recorded on one of my songs.” With “The Circle Remains”, The Deep Dark Woods once again prove that their strength lies in restraint—making their craft feel effortless, while quietly deepening their legacy.

In October The Deep Dark Woods return to Europe again. First dates are announced now:
03/10: Sint-Niklaas, BE - De Casino
04/10: Nijmegen, NL - Thiemeloods
07/10: Copenhagen, DK - Vega JR
18/10: Odense, DK - Dexter