What is it in the water and the soil in Canada that is growing such beauties? We have been treated to some incredibly talented folks from north of the border, who ain’t hard to look at either. Dala, the duo of Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine, just released their fifth studio record, Best Day. They have been building their audience the old fashioned way, person by person, winning them over through albums, performances, and opportunities.
Along the way, they have picked up five Canadian Folk Music Awards. The girls have played all over North America, including some mighty fine festivals: the New Orleans Jazz Fest, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Denver’s Swallow Hill, the Lowell Summer Concert Series, Strawberry Music Fest, Sisters Folk Festival, and the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival in 2009. Last summer Dala hosted a PBS special primetime concert which you might have seen, titled Girls From The North Country. Then again, they might be totally new to you, but if they come close this summer, you might think about catching them live.
Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther have established themselves an rising stars on the popfolk circuit. The new album Best Day, brings forth their lush intertwining harmonies, with accompaniment from piano, guitar, ukulele and minimal drums. Today’s song, the title track, is wistful, beautiful; the kind of thing you could sing to your child every day. Let the sunshine on your face, make it be a “Best Day.”
-Jessie Scott
