Sarnia native Donovan Woods back from UK tour, will perform at Sarnia Public Library on July 6

Sarnia native Donovan Woods is back after touring for two weeks in the UK and is slated to perform live at the Sarnia Public Library on Jul. 6.

His record label, Aporia Records, calls him clever and engaging; and says, "Woods' music draws a listener in and asks you to take your coat off and stay awhile."

An alumnus of Northern Collegiate High School and performer in several Sarnia Little Theatre productions, Woods grew up singing with his hometown church choir. Named after legendary musician Donovan Leitch (“Mellow Yellow”), Woods is excited to be performing at Sarnia Library Theatre on July 6.

Since moving to Toronto, this is his second gig in Sarnia.

“I’m really inspired by the kind-of cultural renaissance which seems to be taking place in downtown Sarnia,” says Woods. “The new art gallery being built downtown, the new annual arts festival and so on. I’d especially love to have the opportunity to come home and be a part of that, if I can. It's great for the city particularly for the young people who need places to perform and show their work.”

Woods has just returned from a great two week tour in the UK. "No Time Has Passed", from his current album The Widowmaker, will be featured in the August issue of Uncut Magazine.

In his songwriting, Woods firmly believes in simplicity, something he attributes to touring with The Andy Kim Band. After being handpicked by Kim, Woods joined the band in a national tour in 2006. Working and touring with the writer of the American classic “Sugar, Sugar” had a profound influence on him and resulted in the release of his first studio album, The Hold Up (2006).

Critics agree that Woods masterful storytelling and sparse musical tapestry relies on the conflict from combining the happy and the sad, the heavy and the light, and creating an ongoing narrative between the artist and the listener. It’s the blending of all of these elements that allows Donovan Woods the versatility to paint a true portrait of life.

“An uncommonly gifted folk-pop storyteller.”  – Toronto Star

“There is something magical about a man and a guitar that doesn’t need tricks to make you keep listening. Donovan Woods has that magic.” –Herohill

"This is an engaging and articulate window into the heart of an extremely unique writer."  – Exclaim

“I want to write songs that stick around,” says Woods. “Solid songs that age well. A lot of songwriting these days is cheap. I’m trying to write the expensive stuff; the stuff that only comes out when there’s company coming”.

Tags: Donovan Woods, Entertainment, Live music, Sarnia Public Library