damhnait’s latest cd, “Lights Down Low,” is a spectacular showcase for “dav… Read Full Bio ↴damhnait’s latest cd, “Lights Down Low,” is a spectacular showcase for “dav, the vocal powerhouse” … not to be confused with “dav, the songwriter,” “dav, the budding director,” or any of her other multiple-threat incarnations. Although we haven’t officially seen her dance yet (and she assures us we never will), the fancy footwork required to pull off a new recording while working with Kim Stockwood as Shaye, writing in Nashville and Toronto, and continuing her weekly column for “The Telegram” is certainly worthy of honourable mention.

“Lights Down Low,” scheduled for release this Feb is a cd of cover tunes which may appear randomly diverse at first read – Joy Division, ABBA, Bob Marley, The Clash – but dav’s intensity and the musical ingenuity of her partner in the project, Danny Michel, create a disc that feels like a natural whole. dav explores every facet of her voice and reveals depths of tenderness and passion. She and Danny play with rhythms and arrangements that honour proven hits with fresh perspectives and a true love for the music. dav refers to the cd as “the perfect dinner party record” in its eclectic representation of musical genres and eras.

damhnait’s career is charging ahead on every level as she continues to explore a variety of creative outlets. In addition to her recent solo project, dav and Kim toured throughout 2007 to promote Shaye’s latest cd, “Lake of Fire.” The title track soared to #13 on the A/C charts and “You’re Not Alone” followed with similar success. The girls also shot a very well received 4-part reality/documentary television series with Global which featured an authentic, unscripted and sometimes hysterical glimpse behind the entertainment curtain. The show follows the girls as they promote “Lake Of Fire” which built on the momentum established by two huge radio hits from the first cd, “The bridge.” (“Happy Baby” and “Beauty” both shot instantly into the Top Twenty on the A/C charts and “Happy Baby” earned a SOCAN Award, A Canadian Radio Music Award and a Juno nomination.) Shaye’s self-titled show aired initially on the E! network and was picked up later in the fall and aired on CMT.

Whether with Shaye or performing solo, damhnait has toured Canada extensively, opening for legends like Willie Nelson and sharing the stage as special guest with such artists as Nelly Furtado, Dido and Jann Arden. With Shaye, she has represented Canada at Japan’s 2005 Expo and has performed on Canada Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. On her own, dav has travelled to Kandahar twice to perform for Canadian forces personnel – initially as part of a CBC Christmas television special and subsequently as a guest of General Rick Hillier. She also journeyed to Africa to contribute her talents to the documentary The Song for Africa, a project aimed at raising awareness about the AIDS pandemic in Africa among Canada’s youth. Her insightful and humorous recounting of her experiences is what prompted the publication of her first book, “Miscellaneous Female.”

damhnait dedicates a significant amount of time and energy to co-writing – efforts which have paid off with covers by Brian Melo, Eva Avila, Rex Goudie and Alexz Johnson, as well as multiple television and film placements. Never one to stray far from a microphone, dav has guested on recordings with Bruce Cockburn, Kevin Parent and Justin Nozuka – to name just a few. Her previous solo effort “dav-net” was a sophisticated, acoustic, roots/rock recording, with mature, powerful writing. “dav-net” garnered two 2004 East Coast Music Awards for Female and Pop/Rock Recording of the year and dav placed as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition for her song, “Afterglow.”

dynamic and innovative . . . emotional and intelligent . . .

QUOTES:

"...my favourite performer was Doyle, whose sassy energy lit up the stage, while her dazzling sequined mini-dress and four-inch heels lent an air of glamour to the occasion."
The Ottawa Citizen

“a versatile voice that is angel-pure one minute, deep and hurtin’ the next”
Here Magazine

“Raw acoustic sounding collage of songs full of angst, heart-breaking stories and stellar songwriting”
Newfoundland Herald

“This Newfoundland raised singer with the soaring voice just released a lovely new album.”
The Daily News

“This album is an extremely immediate, personal and moody folk-pop recording.”
The Calgary Sun

“damhnait has evolved into a great singer/songwriter.”
Times & Transcript

“The album has an earthly appeal that should click with fans.”
Canadian Music Network Magazine

“If you don’t like this cd for her sweet honesty, then you’ll likely fall for the enchantingly sexy vocals, but I promise real fans of acoustic pop that you’ll adore it for a dozen other reasons . . . I’m sorry but that girl is gold, solid gold.”
The Gate

“Her voice is now rich and mellow, with a tang, and her emphasis is firmly on the songwriting.”
New Brunswick Reader

“There are many moments of pure power.”
Metro Toronto

“Doyle’s pride in this album is deserved.”
FFWD

“Third time is a charm for Damhnait.”
The Record

Afterglow
Damhnait Doyle Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

nobody really wants this life,

no matter what they tell you, baby it's a lie

maybe i should just pack it in

grab my shit and not come back again

well heaven knows i've tried

it comes as no suprise

word gets around in this one horse town

It travels faster then the, speed of sound

they take ya down fast in this town

i was really hoping you would change your mind

if this is your idea of a valentine

then turn the lights down low

I don't want to watch you go

maybe I'm better off alone

in the afterglow

shining like a dimond on the hand of a bride

lonely as an angel in a Godless sky

shining like a dimond on the hand of a bride

lonely as an angel in a Godless sky

I took my chances, I was mistaken

I didn't take the roads that I should have taken

but heaven knows i've tried

it comes as no suprise

theres nothing left if me tonight

but an afterglow

Overall Meaning

The song "Afterglow" by Damhnait Doyle is a melancholic reflection on life, love, and loss. The lyrics express the idea that no one truly wants the life they have, despite pretending otherwise. The singer considers leaving everything behind, packing up and not coming back. The town they're in is small and judgmental, and rumors travel fast. The singer had hoped their Valentine would change their mind, but it's clear that the relationship is over. The closing lines suggest that while there might be nothing left of the singer, there's still an afterglow, a faint shimmer of something beautiful that remains.

The first verse establishes the mood of the song, one of resignation and regret. The line "nobody really wants this life" is particularly poignant, suggesting that even those who seem content or successful may be secretly unhappy. The idea of leaving is presented as a solution, but the fact that the singer is still there implies that this is easier said than done. The chorus contains some of the song's most memorable lines, comparing the afterglow to a diamond on a bride's hand, simultaneously beautiful and fleeting. The repetition of the phrase "lonely as an angel in a Godless sky" adds to the sense of sadness and isolation.

Overall, "Afterglow" is a moving and well-written song that explores some universal themes, such as the impermanence of relationships and the difficulty of finding meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

Line by Line Meaning

nobody really wants this life,
Many people might claim to enjoy their life, but in reality, nobody wants to live this kind of life.

no matter what they tell you, baby it's a lie
People can say whatever they want but in reality, they don't want to live this kind of life.

maybe i should just pack it in
Perhaps it's better if I give up and stop trying.

grab my shit and not come back again
Take my stuff and leave without turning back.

well heaven knows i've tried
I have put in a lot of effort.

it comes as no suprise
It's not unexpected.

word gets around in this one horse town
People gossip quickly in this small town.

It travels faster then the, speed of sound
Rumors spread too fast in this place.

they take ya down fast in this town
People in this town bring you down quickly.

i was really hoping you would change your mind
I had high expectations that you would have a change of heart.

if this is your idea of a valentine
If this is your way of expressing love to me.