Honest Woods

Honest Woods' Dustin McGifford and Annie Scott demonstrate their earliest works. This episode showcases the lead vocalists before they developed into the full band as you know them now. -

This interview showcases Honest Woods at Music City Studio's alongside second place winners Chloe & Nils.
It was due to winning this contest that Honest Woods were able to create their first EP Downpour. - Tim Morton

Last fall Creative Okanagan hosted a talent compitition in Kelowna to find our best new talent http://www.castanet.net/news/What-s-On/101670/Top-3-Talented-Kelowna-Acts

Honest Woods took the top place and next weekend they will release the EP that was part of the Talented Kelowna prize package (thanks again Music City Studio for providing that).

They have been touring all throughout BC, performing at many local events, and have really found their niche in Kelowna. This summer you can catch them at Music in the Park, Parks Alive! and our local indie music festival, Keloha.

Lets start today by sharing one of my favorite songs that they perform, Honey.

It was shot in my backyard earlier this week (we wanted to add some bird sounds into their sound) and will give you an idea of why the won Talented Kelowna last fall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG4DGnE1DQI

Their EP is set to be released Saturday June 14th here is their facebook event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/481604405304667/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

In this next video they tell us all about their upcoming shows, where they find their inspiration for their songs and some of their wierdest gig experiences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9i0kyrSp4I - Ryan Donn

Kelowna’s Honest Woods has had an excellent year. The folk influenced indie-rock band has generated some significant local buzz, becoming one of the most talked about acts in town. The band also managed to secure first place in 2013’s edition of Talented Kelowna.


Honest Woods is made up of Annie Gosling-Scott (lead vocals/guitar), Dustin McGifford (lead vocals/guitar), Joshua Ertman (drummer/backup vocals) and Jacob Stasuik (bass/backup vocals).


Honest Woods initially started as a duo containing Gosling-Scott and McGifford in Penticton. However, upon moving to Kelowna the band added Ertman, while one of McGifford’s friends from Penticton, Stasuik, was later recruited to play the bass. While performing as a duo, Gosling-Scott and McGifford submitted their song “Shy” to the CBC Searchlight competition, with the song subsequently making the regional top 20 and earning the duo a spot as regional finalists.

Next up, the melodic band has their sights set on releasing their first professionally recorded and produced EP. I put some questions to the band about the year ahead…

Vincent Jones: What does 2014 hold for Honest Woods? What are you hoping to achieve?

Dustin McGifford: “2014 marks the next chapter for Honest Woods, we have a full band together, are writing songs and recording our first EP. I look forward to playing more shows and increasing the reach of our music.”


Annie Gosling-Scott: “We are recording at Music City Studio in January and we owe this opportunity to those who chose us as the winners of the Talented Kelowna competition. This was our first win as a full band and we can’t wait to share our new sound.”


VJ: What’s your fondest memory of 2013?

AGS: “Meeting and playing with lots of other great local bands around Kelowna who have been gracious and helpful to us as emerging artists, shout out to Wild Son.”

DM: “[My fondest memory of 2013] is of all the awesome bands and fans that we have met this year, I am truly thankful for all we have received and so grateful that the music community has welcomed us with open arms.”

VJ: If you were to describe your band’s style for those who haven’t listened to your stuff yet, how would you describe it?

AGS: “All would agree we are an indie folk rock band with influences from many other genres. The fact that we all have different musical backgrounds, Dustin in contemporary piano, I’m in classical and musical theatre, Jacob in aspects of punk rock, and Josh in classic rock, along with the fact that we all have different musical tastes, has allowed us to blend our preferences together to create a unique sound.”

DM: “We have a broad mix of originals spanning from jazzy acoustic to dancy rock songs. We try to accommodate the people and place we are playing at and as a result we have a dynamic sound of which the unifying factor is the vocal blend between Annie and I.”

VJ: What inspired you and Dustin to start Honest Woods? Why did you guys decide to move to Kelowna?

AGS: “We are both University students and wanted to be closer than Penticton, we also knew that there would be more opportunity in Kelowna for music but had no idea how great the music scene was here.”

VJ: What are you passionate about outside of music?

AGS: “Culture, writing and, of course, all the great people I know and love.”

Jacob Stasuik: “Friends and family.”

DM: “I am only really passionate about music it is what I spend my free time doing.”

Josh Ertman: “For me music is my life, there is not much else that I am as passionate about. Although I do love the water.”

VJ: It’s that time of year, so I have to ask, what’s your favourite Christmas/holiday song?

AGS: “I can’t lie, Christmas music drives me crazy.”

JS: “Little Drummer Boy.”

DM: “I’ve got so say “Carol of the Bells” is my favorite Christmas tune, being classically trained in piano and theory I really enjoy the counter melodies in it.”

JE: “Favourite Christmas song is definitely little drummer boy medley by Jimi Hendrix.”

VJ: Is there anything else that you’d like to add?


AGS: “A big thank-you from all of us to you Vince as this is a wonderful opportunity and we really appreciate it! Look out for our EP and check out our website.”

2014 promises to be another year of progress, development and excitement for Honest Woods. Keep an ear out for these guys! Visit their official website to find links to their music, social media and more.

Have a great New Year’s Eve, and all the best for the 2014! If you’re wondering what’s going on around town on the 31st, check out our New Year’s Eve parties list!

Thanks to everyone who read my column in 2013. You’re all lovely people and I really do appreciate the support! As you know, we’ve got some fantastic artists in Kelowna, and it’s my mission to help give them as much exposure as I possibly can! The mission continues… see you in 2014! - Vincent Jones

There were a few standouts and, by far and away, young guns Honest Woods brought down the house. Originally based out of Penticton, founders Annie Scott and Dustin McGifford took the stage with their new Kelowna based drummer Joshua Ertman and got the entire room involved. From their polished black and red outfits, to Scott's delightful English-accent touched voice, they managed to take what was largely and evening of impressive performances and turn their moment to shine into an experience audience and performers alike could share. - Capital News Kelowna

Just over a month ago I went to O’Flannigan’s Pub to watch a friend of mine do spoken word at their open mic night. There I met Honest Woods, a folk rock duo consisting of university students Annie Scott and Dustin McGifford. They are particularly skilled at harmonizing, and their chemistry is an instantly recognizable strength. I was struck by the couple’s consistently friendly disposition and their general comfortable appearance onstage. Scott, now nearly 20, and McGifford, now 22, originally met in a Chess musical. McGifford was performing his music around Penticton and started bringing Scott along to gigs. The two eventually started dating and performing together more, a duo act being a little more exciting than a solo act. McGifford—who was originally piano trained and transferred his musical knowledge to the guitar—pairs well with Scott’s bluesy voice. He currently studies biochemistry at UBCO, while she studies psychology.

The duo, who name The Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons as some key influences to their musical style, started to pick up speed and earn some recognition when they entered the CBC Searchlight Competition. McGifford and Scott had to create their own track, which they recorded and finished in their basement, and the rest was up to the public.

“We realized that we [couldn’t] just sit there with our music on the internet and not go out and perform,” says Scott.

While Honest Woods did not make the regional top five for the CBC Competition, they did make the top twenty out of 112 competitors.

“It’s till a big achievement,” says Scott, “for our first ever competition.”

The duo found out the news shortly before our interview, but that in no way affected their disposition as they chatted excitedly with me about their recent journey as a band.

“We started working together two years ago, but really only came up with Honest Woods within the last year,” says Scott. “Before we were known as Playing for Tips. It started off as a sign, because we actually were playing for tips at the time, but [eventually] turned into a name.”

Scott took classical vocal training in England for three years and went to the Fallibroome School of Performing Arts. She writes most of the band’s lyrics, while McGifford works on the melodies.

“We’re basically a music and lyrics team,” says Scott. The duo has about six original completed songs now, which is certainly grounds for an EP (wink wink).

“At the beginning we played mostly what the audience wanted,” says McGifford. “ABBA, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash.”

“When we played at camp grounds we’d even play stuff as [current] as Katy Perry,” says Scott.

The team is certainly paying their dues, having begun at yacht clubs and pubs in Penticton, and now doing much of the same in Kelowna. They perform most Wednesdays at The Avenue and Thursdays at O’Flannigan’s, and possess a level of maturity that is always appreciated in new acts. This will certainly come in handy as the duo continues to face the difficult task of networking and consistently landing gigs.

“You can’t really make it with music unless you have contacts, we realized,” says Scott. “It’s not a joke when people say that. You need to meet people.”

And network they do, between sets consisting of covers like “Barton Hollow” by The Civil Wars, “More Than Words” by Extreme, and “Last Request” by Paolo Nutini, as well as some original music. While the band typically has an acoustic sound, they also sometimes make accompaniment tracks at home, with the piano and drums, to play during sets. This contributes to a personal sound that is really starting to mature, despite their rookie-like status in our local music scene. CBC may have missed out on Honest Woods, but Kelowna doesn’t have to. - The Phoenix