The Deep Dark Woods return with their new single Ruby, a tender psychedelic waltz in which late-evening thoughts swirl around your head, cut adrift with no point of anchor.
Fronted by Ryan Boldt, The Deep Dark Woods, described in these pages as one of Canada’s finest purveyors of stately folk-rock, return with their first new music since Broadside Ballads Vol. III. From an upcoming yet-to-be-announced late 2025 album, watch the accompanying video for their new single Ruby, released today.
In the final line of Ruby, Boldt sings, “I love it when the lights are low and the city’s shutting down;” from the off, there’s a feeling of being suspended in time, detached from the ticking clock of life. With subtle almost theremin-sounding notes, punctuated by twinkling keyboard and steady percussion, the song drifts along like a psychedelic waltz, accentuating that feeling of detachment and numbness one can experience during moments of personal grief or changes in life that are just too large to fathom.
“I wrote it during a strange and difficult time, after the sudden loss of my dear friend and tour manager, Kiko, and just before my daughter was born,” says Boldt. “It was a mix of heartbreak and anticipation that I will never forget.”
Boldt is a master when it comes to evoking tenderness and emotion and there’s an open honesty to this song that makes certain lines linger with you:
Ruby, please take it easy on me
I’m not that young anymore
And my brain keeps drifting around and around
The accompanying video taps into that whole vibe beautifully; the cinematography of Evelyn Hofmann & Jesse Northey and Stephanie Kuse’s animation (who also produced the video) accentuate that feeling of being in isolation with your thoughts, swirling around in your head, cut adrift with no point of anchor.
We’ve featured Deep Dark Woods several times over the years, and I owe it to the late David Morrison for introducing me to Ryan’s music. On the strength of this first single, it sounds like another gem is on the way. Don’t miss The Deep Dark Wood tour dates, including UK dates in May (see below).
Stream Ruby: https://orcd.co/ruby-
THE DEEP DARK WOODS TOUR DATES
April 23 – The 27 Club – Ottawa
April 24 – Neat Cafe – Burnstown
April 25 – Collective Arts – Hamilton
April 26 – Longboat Hall – Toronto
May 06 – Filey, UK – Filey Folk Festival
May 07 – Sheffield, UK – Greystones
May 08 – Wrexham, UK – Focus Wales
May 09 – Bristol, UK – Hen & Chicken
May 11 – Coventry, UK – The Tin Music & Arts
May 12 – Brighton, UK – The Folklore Rooms
May 13 – London, UK – The Social
May 14 – Guildford, UK – The Star Inn
May 15 – Isle of Wight, UK – Strings Bar & Venue
May 16 – Cheltenham, UK – Wood Festival
May 17 – Halifax, UK – The Grayston Unity
May 18 – Winchester, UK – Railway Inn
Oct 14 – Regina – The Exchange
Oct 15 – Saskatoon – Capitol Music Club
Oct 16 – Sherwood Park – Festival Place
Oct 17 – Calgary – Festival Hall
Oct 18 – Lethbridge – Geomatic Attic
Oct 22 – Nelson – Spirit Bar
Oct 23 – Penticton – Red Bird
Oct 24 – Vancouver – Fox Cabaret
Oct 25 – Victoria – Capitol Ballroom
