The Gentlemen of the Woods began nearly a decade ago as a long-simmering idea among friends ready to refocus their creative energy and see what would happen if they fully committed to making music. What started as a studio experiment quickly turned into an outpouring of catchy, old-time–inspired songs that earned the band a distinct and coveted place in the Ottawa music scene.

Momentum paused during the pandemic, forcing GOTW to temporarily shelve the project. With multiple albums’ worth of material still waiting to be captured—and new songs continuing to take shape—the band returned to the studio with renewed purpose, an evolved sound, and a newly added lead guitarist in Mike Zikovitz.

GOTW deliver a powerful live show built on tight musicianship, deep connection, and song-first arrangements. Their emotionally resonant storytelling and melodic craftsmanship have made them a standout draw, consistently selling out venues of all sizes across the Capital region.

Their sound has grown steadily over the years, blending classic folk-rock influences like The Byrds and The Band with the modern sensibilities of Wilco, Dawes, and the Avett Brothers.

The band’s first two releases were produced by Ottawa’s Dave Draves at Little Bullhorn Studio, amassing close to 100,000 streams across platforms despite a lengthy hiatus. They are currently recording their third album with Jeff Watkins at Breezehill North Studio—this time embracing a more expansive, electrified approach. Moving beyond banjo and upright bass, the new material leans into richer textures and bolder production, marking the next chapter for Gentlemen of the Woods.