Intrests Include: Long walks in the (Belle)woods.

There are many lines that divide a music scene even within similar genres, but sometimes those lines intersect bringing bands together, as is the case with Toronto’s Bellewoods.

Chris White, Dylan Green (Raising the Fawn), Scott Remila (Raising the Fawn, Violet Archers), Paul Watling (ex-Diableros), Erik Anersen (Great Lake Swimmers), and Peter Garner (Lion) make up the band. With Rachel Shaw providing harmonies in the studio.

The project was born outside of the city a few years ago says Green.

“Chris and I knew each other from St. Catharines and had been interested in working together in some musical respect. The timing never really worked out until about 2 years ago when we started recording and working out the songs that would eventually become Bellewoods.”

Things progressed from there.

“Once we had more material, we were looking for people to play with us, and it took about a year to actually round up the right dudes for the job.”

The band has been steadily working on their live show, getting comfortable in their new setting. They’ve done a few laps of Ontario opening for bands such as
A Northern Chorus, Nordic Nomadic, The Coast, and Tusks. But they have done so at their own pace.

“Things are relatively lax, because business-wise, we don't really have any commitments like a manager, label, agent&#8230that sort of thing,” says Green.

Over the past few months Bellewoods has been focusing on their first record.

“We're recording with our friend Jamie Bunton of Ohbijou. He has a studio in the west end of Toronto,” says Green. “It's nice to work with friends because there's a lot less pressure...less nerves in the studio.”

There may be less pressure but it’s the speed they take an issue with.

“The recording is going a lot slower than we'd like it to mainly because we all have jobs or school to deal with on a day to day basis, so that leaves evenings and weekends to make music and it's very hard to try and co-ordinate 7 people's schedules in a timely manner,” says Green. “We're all excited about how it's sounding, and we're definitely close to finishing.

Things may have taken a while to get going, but the extra time taken is producing results. And the fact that the process is almost complete is creating some energy in the band.

"I think we're all getting a bit restless and eager. We've all reached a level where we are comfortable, and excited to be playing in a band together,” adds guitarist Paul Watling. “The songs are really coming together and the reality of having a finished album we're all pretty stoked on is not far off.”

The wait shouldn’t be too much longer as the album is slated to come out sometime this year says Green.

“We'd like to find a label to release it, but if nobody's biting, we'll do it ourselves.”

“Then they'll all come crying to us,” jokes Watling.

Bellewoods is a result of bands meeting through various connections. And when they set out to tour they will likely cross paths with many other bands from this city, forming new friendships. But before they do they’ll need to figure out transportation. Green politely quips.

“If you would like to donate a van to us, we would graciously accept.”