“Michael Peterson...branched out to create a solo project under the name Tilda but then it accidentally became a band. Tilda wrote and recorded the album...calling it a ‘song story’ about a fictitious WW2 Pilot who has to bail out of his bomber and into the ocean. Riots of 31 is a perfect example of the introspective totally sweet folk poppy perfection that is this Tilda record.” Amanda Putz, host of Bandwidth

“Tilda have made a bold record. This is territory usual avoided by local, unsigned, indie acts, but in taking such a large risk, there is equally large reward to be had, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor is that reward. Not many bands have the skill to pull off what Tilda have done here, and I get the feeling that I’m not the only one who they will impress with this debut.” Ottawa Music Index

This is a song-story that stemmed from a vivid dream–one that was hard to shake–about a WWII pilot grinding his way back to base from a bombing mission. His plane damaged, he has to bail out and await rescue alone in the ocean, floating in and out of memory while rolling over endless waves. It’s also about love lost and friendships past and hanging on for dear life through the storms and letting go while riding out the doldrums.

At the outset, the goal of this recording was to create and capture smiles on the faces of everyone in the room. By avoiding the trap of searching for illusive on-the-spot perfection, this Tilda album is replete with flubs and happy coincidences. What you hear is the result of a ridiculously simple setup. As the tracks unfolded, Mike, Andrew and Brennan, never having played as a group nor practiced a single song together, found an amazing common ground with the narrative and with each other. This was ground zero for something truly magical.

Michael then recruited amazing trumpet player Nicholas Dyson and convinces Curtis MacPhee (Still Winter Hills) that “anyone can play lap steel.” Tilda, now a crew of six, records the horn and slide that provide the depth and soul of many of the new songs. Michael also puts down the remainder of the tracks, all acoustic solo numbers, save one brilliant duet with Nicholas.

With the tracking side of things complete Michael takes a shot in the dark and asks long time friend and renowned Canadian music producer and recording engineer Chris Shreenan-Dyck (Kris Kristofferson, Bruce Cockburn, Garth Hudson (The Band), Blue Rodeo, and Ron Sexsmith) if he might mix the album. Chris says yes!

The the album headed off to Ottawa’s Bova Sound to be mastered – beautifully – crisp and tight and deep, but with a lot of bounce.