DONOVAN WOODS RETURNS WITH ANTICIPATED NEW MUSIC “HAPPY BELATED” FEATURING CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD
Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods has returned with his latest single, “Happy Belated”, featuring fellow Toronto artist and Polaris Music Prize shortlister Charlotte Cornfield. Arriving a week after his birthday, the track pairs an upbeat bassline and country-infused sensibilities with warm, Paul Simon inspired melodic arrangements—marking a vibrant step forward in his sound.
Coinciding with the new release, Woods has announced a Western Canadian tour for early 2027, featuring stops in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, and more. Currently on tour in the UK with a performance tonight and upcoming shows in Manchester and Glasgow that will be followed by a handful of dates on this side of the pond. For more info on tickets and tour dates: https://www.donovanwoods.net/
Reflecting on the inspiration behind “Happy Belated,” Woods shares:
“I hope “Happy Belated” exists in the grand tradition of answering machine songs (Blake Shelton’s “Austin”, or perhaps Drake’s “Marvins Room”) , although I think this song is probably more of a voice note. I wrote it with my friend Colton Venner. We thought it was a country song. We still think it is. It’s about a guy coming to terms with his own shortcomings and apologizing for himself over perhaps the most up-beat track of my career. From the moment it began to emerge in the studio, it felt right to me. Adding Charlotte Cornfield’s vocal put a wistful bow on it.”
Adding to Woods, Cornfield on the track says:
There’s something very fitting about a half-baked apology being couched in a belated birthday greeting. You can almost hear the narrator of this song kicking himself as he tries to come to terms with his failings with the person at the other end of the line. The sentiment reminds me of the Wilco line from Radio Cure, “Distance has no way of making love understandable.” You can hear the distance between these two characters and feel that whatever transpired between them is irreparable, but there’s still this impulse to call. I’ve been a fan of Donovan’s songwriting for a long time and it was an honour to get to sing with him on this one. Happy Belated is a song after my own heart.
The new single builds on a big year for Woods, which featured the release of his EP Squander Your Gifts, North American and UK tour dates, and establishing himself as a leading authority on the best of the Great Lakes through his popular annual rankings. He also debuted The Big Five, a CBC podcast co-hosted with close friend Tom Power (host of CBC’s q) that explores life’s biggest questions with guests like Vivek Shraya, Jordan Canning, William Prince, Lindsay Ell, and Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Momentum continues into 2027 with a second season of the podcast, a headlining tour, and upcoming new music.
TOUR DATES
October 23 – London, UK – Oslo Hackney
October 24 – Manchester, UK – Hallé at St Michael’s
October 25 – Glasgow, UK – The Hug and Pint
November 6 – Orillia, ON – St. Paul’s Centre
November 7 – Belleville, ON – Belleville Theatre Guild
November 8 – Elora, ON – Hope Springs United Church
November 11-15 – Miami, FL – Moon River at Sea
February 9 – Campbell River, BC – Tidemark Theatre
February 11 – Vernon, BC – Vernon District Performing Arts Centre
February 12 – Chilliwack, BC – Hub International Theatre
February 13 – Maple Ridge, BC – Maple Ridge Arts Centre & Theatre
February 16 – North Vancouver, BC – The BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts
February 19 – Dawson City, YT – Klondike Institute of Arts & Culture
February 21- Medicine Hat, AB – Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
February 23 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Stage
February 24 – Calgary, AB – The National Music Centre – Studio Bell
February 25 – Calgary, AB – The National Music Centre – Studio Bell
February 26 – St. Albert, AB – Arden Theatre
February 27 – Fort Saskatchewan, AB – Dow Centennial Centre Shell Theatre
February 28 – Airdrie, AB – Bert Church Theatre
March 1- Saskatoon, SK – Broadway Theatre
March 2 – Regina, SK – Darke Hall
May 1 – Toronto, ON – Koerner Hall
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