Royal Wood
Encyclopedia
Royal Wood is a Canadian
pop music
singer-songwriter
/ producer
, based in Toronto
, Ontario
. His classic pop style has drawn comparisons to Hawksley Workman
, Ron Sexsmith
, Randy Newman
and Rufus Wainwright
.
, Royal Wood grew up in a household filled with music. He began playing piano by ear at the age of four and started lessons at age eight. With the support of his school music program, he had access to a variety of different instruments, and by his teens, he became well-versed in many different instruments, including the guitar
, bass guitar
, drums, clarinet
, and trumpet
.
After high school, he studied business at McGill University
. During this time, he had limited access to a piano, and focused on his guitar playing while trying to find his voice as a songwriter.
, entitled The Milkweed EP
, in 2002. This collection of songs were written, arranged, performed and produced by Wood himself. The release garnered much critical acclaim, and critics drew comparisons with Randy Newman
, Jeff Buckley
, and Tom Waits
.
Following the release of his debut EP, Wood set out to create an over-the-top pop record for his full-length debut. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles
and The Beach Boys
, Wood once again undertook production duties during the recording sessions. In 2004, he released his full-length debut record, Tall Tales
on Maple Music. The record’s ornate sound and layered arrangements garnered much critical attention, and Wood was praised for his vocal style and infectious lyricism.
With the goal of creating a more mature and pristine sound, Wood entered Toronto
's Reaction Studios in 2005 to begin recording the follow-up to his full-length debut. During the recording session, he used a Steinway
grand piano, scored a full string quartet
, and also enlisted the help of many well-known musicians, including Hawksley Workman
and Kurt Swinghammer
. The result was A Good Enough Day
, which was released in 2007 on Dead Daisy Records
in Canada, and in 2008 on Rounder Europe. The record received much radio attention domestically and abroad, and Wood was praised by critics for his fluent piano playing, melodic lyrical style and production ability. The record spawned three singles and three music videos, “A Mirror Without”, “Juliet” and “I’m So Glad”. Music from the record has also been featured on several TV and movie soundtracks, including TMN
/Movie Central
's Regenesis
, the CBC
series This is Wonderland
, the CTV movie Playing House
, the film The End of Silence, and the Food Network
’s The Surreal Gourmet
. Internationally, A Mirror Without was featured on an episode of Grey's Anatomy
.
With the success of A Good Enough Day
, Wood was invited to share the stage with numerous Canadian songstresses, including Emm Gryner
, Sarah Harmer
, Kathleen Edwards
, Sarah Slean
, Jill Barber
and Serena Ryder
. In support of the Rounder Europe release of the record, he also embarked on a European tour in 2008.
Constantly evolving, Wood wanted to focus his next effort on the lyrics and string arrangements. The result was the 2009 release The Lost and Found EP
. With a consistently growing fan base, Wood embarked on his first headlining tour in Western Canada in November, 2009 in support of the new EP. Joined by Atlantic Canadian singer-songwriter Rose Cousins
, Wood played to capacity crowds during three-week tour.
In 2010 he released The Waiting
after which he was named iTunes Songwriter of the Year. With the release of The Waiting he has an upcoming national theatre tour with David Gray and more in the works.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
/ producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. His classic pop style has drawn comparisons to Hawksley Workman
Hawksley Workman
Ryan Corrigan , better known by the stage name Hawksley Workman, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter who has garnered critical acclaim for his blend of cabaret pop and glam rock. Workman has released eleven full length albums throughout his career...
, Ron Sexsmith
Ron Sexsmith
Ronald Eldon "Ron" Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in Toronto. He started his own band when he was fourteen years old, and released the first recordings of his own material seven years later, in 1985...
, Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
and Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
.
Early life
Born and raised outside of Peterborough, OntarioPeterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
, Royal Wood grew up in a household filled with music. He began playing piano by ear at the age of four and started lessons at age eight. With the support of his school music program, he had access to a variety of different instruments, and by his teens, he became well-versed in many different instruments, including the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, drums, clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, and trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
.
After high school, he studied business at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. During this time, he had limited access to a piano, and focused on his guitar playing while trying to find his voice as a songwriter.
Career
Wood released his first EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, entitled The Milkweed EP
The Milkweed EP
The Milkweed EP is the debut release by Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2002.-Track listing:# "Of Milkweed"# "Chamomile"# "Freezing in Fire"# "Dog-Eared Day"# "Off My Sleeve"...
, in 2002. This collection of songs were written, arranged, performed and produced by Wood himself. The release garnered much critical acclaim, and critics drew comparisons with Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
, Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
, and Tom Waits
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
.
Following the release of his debut EP, Wood set out to create an over-the-top pop record for his full-length debut. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, Wood once again undertook production duties during the recording sessions. In 2004, he released his full-length debut record, Tall Tales
Tall Tales (Royal Wood album)
Tall Tales is the full-length debut album by Canadian pop singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2004.-Track listing:# "The Spirits and I"# "Once"# "Sway"# "Suzanne"# "Weigh Me Down"# "Under the Years"# "The Wonder"# "The Scene"...
on Maple Music. The record’s ornate sound and layered arrangements garnered much critical attention, and Wood was praised for his vocal style and infectious lyricism.
With the goal of creating a more mature and pristine sound, Wood entered Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
's Reaction Studios in 2005 to begin recording the follow-up to his full-length debut. During the recording session, he used a Steinway
Steinway & Sons
Steinway & Sons, also known as Steinway , is an American and German manufacturer of handmade pianos, founded 1853 in Manhattan in New York City by German immigrant Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg...
grand piano, scored a full string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
, and also enlisted the help of many well-known musicians, including Hawksley Workman
Hawksley Workman
Ryan Corrigan , better known by the stage name Hawksley Workman, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter who has garnered critical acclaim for his blend of cabaret pop and glam rock. Workman has released eleven full length albums throughout his career...
and Kurt Swinghammer
Kurt Swinghammer
Kurt Swinghammer is a Canadian singer-songwriter and visual artist.A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, Swinghammer joined the band Vital Sines in the 1980s before launching his solo career...
. The result was A Good Enough Day
A Good Enough Day
A Good Enough Day is the second album by Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2007 on Dead Daisy Records.-Track listing:# "A Good Enough Day"# "Juliet"# "Safe Haven"# "A Mirror Without"# "I'm So Glad"# "Siren"# "In the Garden"...
, which was released in 2007 on Dead Daisy Records
Dead Daisy Records
Dead Daisy Records is a Canadian independent record label, owned and operated by singer-songwriter Emm Gryner. Artists who have released material on the label include Gryner, In-Flight Safety, Daniel Ledwell, Hot One, Andrew Spice, Royal Wood and Noah's Arkweld....
in Canada, and in 2008 on Rounder Europe. The record received much radio attention domestically and abroad, and Wood was praised by critics for his fluent piano playing, melodic lyrical style and production ability. The record spawned three singles and three music videos, “A Mirror Without”, “Juliet” and “I’m So Glad”. Music from the record has also been featured on several TV and movie soundtracks, including TMN
The Movie Network
The Movie Network is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service, owned by Astral Media. The service is licensed to operate east of the Ontario-Manitoba border, excluding the territories...
/Movie Central
Movie Central
Movie Central is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service. Movie Central is designated to operate west of the Ontario-Manitoba border, including the territories...
's Regenesis
Regenesis
Regenesis or ReGenesis may refer to:*ReGenesis, a Canadian television series*Regenesis , an environmental group*Regenesis , by C. J. Cherryh*ReGenesis , a Genesis tribute band...
, the CBC
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
series This is Wonderland
This Is Wonderland
This Is Wonderland was a Canadian television series which aired on CBC Television. The series is a legal drama with comedic elements, or a comedy-drama. It was created by playwright George F...
, the CTV movie Playing House
Playing House
Playing House is a 2006 television movie that was originally shown on CTV in Canada. It was produced by Blueprint Entertainment. The movie is based on the book of the same name by Patricia Pearson.-Plot summary:...
, the film The End of Silence, and the Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
’s The Surreal Gourmet
The Surreal Gourmet
The Surreal Gourmet is a program on Food Network hosted by Bob Blumer. The show features creative techniques for cooking and the memorable Toastermobile. Generally the foods prepared on The Surreal Gourmet are intended to be served at parties or other get-togethers...
. Internationally, A Mirror Without was featured on an episode of Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
.
With the success of A Good Enough Day
A Good Enough Day
A Good Enough Day is the second album by Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2007 on Dead Daisy Records.-Track listing:# "A Good Enough Day"# "Juliet"# "Safe Haven"# "A Mirror Without"# "I'm So Glad"# "Siren"# "In the Garden"...
, Wood was invited to share the stage with numerous Canadian songstresses, including Emm Gryner
Emm Gryner
Emm Gryner is a Canadian singer-songwriter and occasional actress.-Biography:Gryner's childhood was spent in Forest, Lambton County, Ontario. Her father was of half Irish heritage and her mother was Filipina....
, Sarah Harmer
Sarah Harmer
Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer-songwriter and activist.-Biography:Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, Harmer gained her first exposure to the musician's lifestyle as a teenager, when her older sister Mary started taking her to concerts by the well-known Tragically Hip. At the age of 17, she...
, Kathleen Edwards
Kathleen Edwards
Kathleen Edwards is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. Her 2003 debut album, Failer, contained the singles "Six O'Clock News" and "Hockey Skates".- Personal life :...
, Sarah Slean
Sarah Slean
Sarah Hope Slean is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and occasional actress from Pickering, Ontario. She has released eleven albums to date .-Major recordings:...
, Jill Barber
Jill Barber
Jill Barber is a Canadian singer-songwriter formerly based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia.-Biography:Born and raised in Toronto, she is sister to singer-songwriter Matthew Barber...
and Serena Ryder
Serena Ryder
Serena Ryder is a Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter raised in Millbrook, Ontario.Ranging musically between folk, roots, country, and adult contemporary music, Ryder possesses a five-octave range...
. In support of the Rounder Europe release of the record, he also embarked on a European tour in 2008.
Constantly evolving, Wood wanted to focus his next effort on the lyrics and string arrangements. The result was the 2009 release The Lost and Found EP
The Lost and Found EP
The Lost And Found EP by Royal Wood is released on Dead Daisy Records .-Track listing:# "Don't Fall Apart"# "Wish To Paint"# "Thinking About"# "It Weighs On Me"# "Poor Little World"# "All Of My Life"...
. With a consistently growing fan base, Wood embarked on his first headlining tour in Western Canada in November, 2009 in support of the new EP. Joined by Atlantic Canadian singer-songwriter Rose Cousins
Rose Cousins
Rose Cousins is a Canadian folk-pop singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Prince Edward Island, she is currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia....
, Wood played to capacity crowds during three-week tour.
In 2010 he released The Waiting
The Waiting (album)
Track Listing01 You Can't Go Back02 Do You Recall03 Waiting04 On Top Of Your Love05 Birds On Sunday06 The Island07 A Discovery 08 Tonight I Will Be Your Guide09 Paradise10 Lady In White11 When Nothing's Left...
after which he was named iTunes Songwriter of the Year. With the release of The Waiting he has an upcoming national theatre tour with David Gray and more in the works.
Discography
- The Milkweed EPThe Milkweed EPThe Milkweed EP is the debut release by Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2002.-Track listing:# "Of Milkweed"# "Chamomile"# "Freezing in Fire"# "Dog-Eared Day"# "Off My Sleeve"...
(2002) - Tall TalesTall Tales (Royal Wood album)Tall Tales is the full-length debut album by Canadian pop singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2004.-Track listing:# "The Spirits and I"# "Once"# "Sway"# "Suzanne"# "Weigh Me Down"# "Under the Years"# "The Wonder"# "The Scene"...
(2004) - A Good Enough DayA Good Enough DayA Good Enough Day is the second album by Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood, released in 2007 on Dead Daisy Records.-Track listing:# "A Good Enough Day"# "Juliet"# "Safe Haven"# "A Mirror Without"# "I'm So Glad"# "Siren"# "In the Garden"...
(2007) - The Lost and Found EPThe Lost and Found EPThe Lost And Found EP by Royal Wood is released on Dead Daisy Records .-Track listing:# "Don't Fall Apart"# "Wish To Paint"# "Thinking About"# "It Weighs On Me"# "Poor Little World"# "All Of My Life"...
(2009) - The WaitingThe Waiting (album)Track Listing01 You Can't Go Back02 Do You Recall03 Waiting04 On Top Of Your Love05 Birds On Sunday06 The Island07 A Discovery 08 Tonight I Will Be Your Guide09 Paradise10 Lady In White11 When Nothing's Left...
(2010)