Friday, February 6, 2009

You Crazy Dreamers

You Crazy Dreamers

The Deep Dark Woods - Winter Hours

Posted: 06 Feb 2009 03:50 PM CST


DDW-WinterHours-FrontCover-lowres.jpg

So my last two post have been Stripmall Ballads and The Sumner Brothers and to finish off this Canadian trilogy I present to you The Deep Dark Woods. Since they sent me their new album Winter Hours last week I can honestly say I must have heard it at least fifty times in that period and I can’t see myself stopping any time soon as it is an album that, for me at least, takes a few listens to really appreciate the craftsmanship at work. Stunning, spine tingling harmonmies, beautiful arrangements and the musicianship is out of this world. By far the best album I’ve heard so far this year and not sure If I will hear better to be honest. Blending country, folk, rock and bluegrass you can hear influences from Gram Parsons through to that other Canadian stalwart, Neil Young but also with harmonies this good a modern comparison could be The Fleet Foxes. Lead singer Ryan Boldt has a immense sadness in his voice that I think he could sing the phone directory and keep you interested, full of deep emotion.  When last years top albums lists came out many people had The Fleet Foxes as either top of their list  or somewhere very close and yet The Deep Dark Woods’ Hang me oh hang me was never even mentioned let alone in any best of lists and for me it was one of 2007’s best albums ! Scandalous.( I know its 2007 but some end of lists went from oct 2007 to 0ct 2008); Well here’s hoping that this new album receives more praise because as far as I’m concerned this is quite simply astonishing. I could piss myself with glee while listening to it as it so excites me that music this good is still around.

This album starts off with a rather chilling track called Farewell which may give you the impression that this is a reflection of what is to come and you’d be part right I suppose but with more upbeat tracks like Polly and Two Time Loser sitting comfortably in the middle it gives you a slight break before hitting you with the The Gallows which is a beautifully written song and then a storming final eight and a half minute track The Sun Never Shines, probably my favourite on the album. The best final track I’ve heard on an album since The Day Texas Sank to The Bottom Of The Sea from Micah P Hinson and the gospel of progress. A blistering guitar solo (what ever happened to the guitar solo?), It’s the perfect way to end what is an incredible album, their best yet and that’s saying something considering all three are superb. I think what tops this one is the production of Steve Dawson who also contributes on the album playing ukelele and banjo as well as other stringed instruments.  it’s as if this is a long lost album from the mid seventies or something. I wish I could write a review that would give this album justice but as I’ve said in the past I’m not a reviewer, my mission is to put the word out about good music and for me it doesn’t get any better that The Deep dark Woods.

Winter Hours is not slated for release until 17th February but very kindly Chris has taken time to answer some questions for us, He’s informed me it’s normally Ryan who does interviews but he was having internet troubles, tell me about it.

Underneath the interview you will find Where have the summers gone form their first album, Rumble in the sky from Hang me Oh Hang Me and All The Money I had Was Gone from the upcoming Winter Hours. But please, buy the album(s),  I know it might sound like they are being produced in some multi millon pound studio with loads of money behind them but they’re not, Their just fucking good !

Hi The Deep Dark Woods, welcome to the Youcrazydreamers blog, hope you are all well. Here goes.

  1. So, you have now recorded your new album Winter Hours, do you have a release date yet?The release date of the album will be Feb 17th. That’s soon!

    How would you say this album differs from your previous ones, if at all?

    I’d say that the album represents the growth of the band. Better arrangements, better vocals, better playing. We did the beds, and lead vocals live on the floor, which felt nice, playing throught each song 1 or 2 times each…..and that was it. It helped being in The Facory, a wicked studio in Vancouver….not to mention working with Steve Dawson, who produced the album.

3. Are you the kind of songwriter that needs to write every day or do you wait until the songs come to you?

Not sure about Ryan, but for me a song has to come to me. Sometimes months in between. For example, the song "Birds on the Bridge" (my only song on the album) came to me, was played 2 times through, and was written.

4. Who were your influences when you were younger, musically or otherwise?

When I was younger I was a huge Smashing pumpkins fan….I had over 50 of their cd’s (including bootlegs). I even listened to them on headphones while sleeping.

5. Canada has such a great music heritage, something in the water?

Our water is full of hope, and good times.

6. If there is one song you could steal and claim it as your own for ever which one would you choose and why?

I won’t over think it…..but lets say "Goin’ to Acapulco" off The Basement Tapes (Dylan and The Band). Reason? I think the song is perfect, and it gives me an amazing feeling everytime I hear it, and has a wicked sound to it. If it were album, I’d say Gordon Downie’s "Coke Machine Glow"

7. Ok, first non- musical question. What did you think last time you looked in the mirror? I thought, "I’m a lot more tired right now than I’ve ever been"

8. You may have read The Sumner Brothers interview we did on this blog, you recently played with them. There is so much good music in this genre coming out of Canada right now, any ideas why?

Not really sure, but I can say that The Sumner Brothers are one of my favorite Canadian bands right now. I love their songwriting.

9. What's currently getting a lot of play on your stereo?

Lots of Leonard Cohen. Mmmm good. Some Grateful Dead.

10. Another silly one now. If you could play any part in any movie past or present who or what would it be and why?

Can’t think of anything. Sorry.

11. What's your best musical experience so far?

Actually, recording our last album probably tops it. We had a ton of fun in vancouver, and found that we really made something special. It boosted the confidence of the band. Other that that, last weekend we played a show in Nokomis, Saskatchewan with the incredibly talented Little Miss Higgens. Jamming with her on stage felt pretty darn good. The whole show was crazy fun.

12. So, where can we get hold of this new album? Any Vinyl release?

No vinyl release right now, but we plan on doing something soon. In Europe our album is being distributed by CRS (Continental Record Services)….so wherever they distribute to. If you can’t find it anywhere, just buy it online.

13. Finally, what's your plans for this year?

We’ll be doing lots of touring in Canada, as well as going down to SXSW in Austin TX. In the summer we’ll be playing tons of great festivals across Canada. We really want to come to Europe, but are waiting for an agent to show interest in booking us there. Hopefully soon. Other than that, trying to make music that we really like.

The Deep Dark Woods, many thanks for the interview and we here at you crazy dreamers wish you all the best for the future.

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