Random Orbit RecoRds

Bio (2025)

Recent Years and Evolution

Tom Thompson ( Pedal Steel and Guitar) Steven Jurgutis ( Drums and BG Vox) Greg Brayford ( Bass and BG Vox ) Michael Peterson ( Lead Vox and Guitar) Tom Pechlof (Keyboards and BG Vox)

Tilda is an eclectic Ottawa based indie rock collective with roots tracing back to the early 1990s. Back then, as the Belfast Cowboys, neither Celtic nor country dubbed ‘REM on horse steroids’ and coined the hardest working band in the Ottawa scene; they played anywhere that would have then in an Ontario, Quebec and East coast circuit before parting ways.

In 2010, performing as The Flats, they recorded and released Between the Beams followed by as many shows and festival performances as they could muster. In 2014, Tilda was born and a “neo-folk” album titled Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor, intended to be a solo project by singer Michael, quickly evolved into a full band effort. Tilda once again found success playing the Ontario circuit, with significant airplay on radio and internet stations.

In 2019 the band recorded Matter of time and was ready to release and promote an all line up and sound. With dates booked, promotions in place when the pandemic struck, halting any momentum and plunging everything into real uncertainty. 2020, Inbwtween lockdowns the band virtually released the record, but the landscape of the music industry had seemingly changed and they could not build any momentum.

January 2024, Michael received an unexpected boost from local legend Graven, who offered him a solo opening slot. This opportunity reignited momentum, and the band began opening for many local acts again in Ottawa and Wakefield. Looking ahead to 2025, Tilda plans to continue the hustle, working with Jack Pelletier and Dave Dracesto produce a new record targeted for a spring release., eager to share their new material, Tilda is ready to seize any opportunity to perform for anyone willing to listen – telling their side of this Pandemic story.

Bio (2014)

Formation & Early Years
Tilda was formed in a small, sweaty storage closet in a downtown Toronto warehouse. In the beginning, the mission for Michael Peterson and Andrew Long was simple: collaborate, write, record, and repeat. Life, however, had other plans.

The Journey Begins
In early 2012, amidst a cold February in Ottawa, Michael Peterson branched out from his band, The Flats, to create a solo project under the name Tilda. What started as a solo endeavor soon morphed into a full band with Andrew Long, Nicholas Dyson, Tom Thompson, and Brennan Pilkington joining forces. They set up camp in Michael’s basement studio and began work on their first album, Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor—released on their own label, Random Orbit Records.

The album tells the story of a fictitious WW2 pilot who bails out of his bomber over the ocean, awaiting potential rescue. It’s a “song story,” blending narrative and music in a unique way.