Dala bringing folk sound to Fanshawe's stage
Two young Toronto musicians are bringing their enchanting and soulful voices to Forwell Hall.
Sheila Carabine, 22, and Amanda Walther, 24, combine to form the Canadian-folk-duo, known as Dala. Based out of Toronto, Ontario, and together since the summer of 2002, Dala has been gaining notoriety nationally based on their debut album Angels and Thieves (2005).
Walther said that making a living in the music industry has been a life long goal of hers.
“It is the best life ever,” Walther said. “Just being able to make music full-time, I know this sounds really cheesy, but I'm basically living out my dream.”
Walther said that she is living the typical starving artist lifestyle at this point in her career.
“So far so good, we're making a modest living more or less,” Walther said.
Walther and Carabine utilize their guitar, piano and vocal talents to produce their mellow and relaxed type vibe and sound, similar to another Canadian female-duo, Tegan and Sarah.
With both artists equally contributing to the music of Dala, Walther said that her and Carabine's relationship is magical and very strong.
“Believe it or not we have the best relationship ever,” Walther said. “We're best friends. We write, we play, and we even hangout together. It is special to be able to share it with someone and we essentially have the same life.”
Influenced by a host of reputable musicians, Dala lists Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Coldplay, as well as the entire cast from Jesus Christ Superstar as being amongst the most significant to their career.
In November of 2003 Dala signed a five-year artist development deal with the independent label Big Bold Sun Music. Dala also signed a deal with the major label Universal Music in the summer of 2005.
Walther said that cementing the deal with Universal has allowed them to gain benefits from their independent label as well as the major label.
“They (Universal) have given us the chance to develop on our own and has given us the chance to open up for some well-known bands, including Jann Arden,” Walther said. “We are really getting the best of both worlds, as our Indie label, whom we are primarily with, is also a nice situation.”
Dala was nominated for three awards in the 2006 Canadian Folk Music Awards for their release of Angels and Thieves. The nominations were for Best Vocal Group, Producer of the Year (Mike Roth for Angels and Thieves), and Best New/Emerging Artist.
Walther said that her and Calabine were both surprised and grateful for the nominations.
“It really means a lot,” Walther said. “To be recognized by the strong musical ears and be appreciated for our music, it is truly a compliment.”
Dala is gaining television airplay on Country Music Television (CMT) and Much More Music for their videos for “Twenty Something” and “Drive Through Summer.” “Twenty Something” is also receiving radio airplay on EZ Rock 97.3 in Toronto.
Walther said being up-and-coming young musicians, it is difficult to be recognized amongst a plethora of other musical artists.
“It is hard to get your name out there, there is so much information available on so many different bands, it is hard to stand out,” Walther said. “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Dala is currently working on material for a new album and hopes to have it released in 2007.
Dala will be performing live at Fanshawe College on Thursday, January 25. The show will take place starting at 12 p.m. in Forwell Hall in the Fanshawe Student Union Building as part of the ‘Nooner.'
Sheila Carabine, 22, and Amanda Walther, 24, combine to form the Canadian-folk-duo, known as Dala. Based out of Toronto, Ontario, and together since the summer of 2002, Dala has been gaining notoriety nationally based on their debut album Angels and Thieves (2005).
Walther said that making a living in the music industry has been a life long goal of hers.
“It is the best life ever,” Walther said. “Just being able to make music full-time, I know this sounds really cheesy, but I'm basically living out my dream.”
Walther said that she is living the typical starving artist lifestyle at this point in her career.
“So far so good, we're making a modest living more or less,” Walther said.
Walther and Carabine utilize their guitar, piano and vocal talents to produce their mellow and relaxed type vibe and sound, similar to another Canadian female-duo, Tegan and Sarah.
With both artists equally contributing to the music of Dala, Walther said that her and Carabine's relationship is magical and very strong.
“Believe it or not we have the best relationship ever,” Walther said. “We're best friends. We write, we play, and we even hangout together. It is special to be able to share it with someone and we essentially have the same life.”
Influenced by a host of reputable musicians, Dala lists Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Coldplay, as well as the entire cast from Jesus Christ Superstar as being amongst the most significant to their career.
In November of 2003 Dala signed a five-year artist development deal with the independent label Big Bold Sun Music. Dala also signed a deal with the major label Universal Music in the summer of 2005.
Walther said that cementing the deal with Universal has allowed them to gain benefits from their independent label as well as the major label.
“They (Universal) have given us the chance to develop on our own and has given us the chance to open up for some well-known bands, including Jann Arden,” Walther said. “We are really getting the best of both worlds, as our Indie label, whom we are primarily with, is also a nice situation.”
Dala was nominated for three awards in the 2006 Canadian Folk Music Awards for their release of Angels and Thieves. The nominations were for Best Vocal Group, Producer of the Year (Mike Roth for Angels and Thieves), and Best New/Emerging Artist.
Walther said that her and Calabine were both surprised and grateful for the nominations.
“It really means a lot,” Walther said. “To be recognized by the strong musical ears and be appreciated for our music, it is truly a compliment.”
Dala is gaining television airplay on Country Music Television (CMT) and Much More Music for their videos for “Twenty Something” and “Drive Through Summer.” “Twenty Something” is also receiving radio airplay on EZ Rock 97.3 in Toronto.
Walther said being up-and-coming young musicians, it is difficult to be recognized amongst a plethora of other musical artists.
“It is hard to get your name out there, there is so much information available on so many different bands, it is hard to stand out,” Walther said. “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Dala is currently working on material for a new album and hopes to have it released in 2007.
Dala will be performing live at Fanshawe College on Thursday, January 25. The show will take place starting at 12 p.m. in Forwell Hall in the Fanshawe Student Union Building as part of the ‘Nooner.'
