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

Darkness Round The Sun
Damhnait Doyle Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somewhere there's a sea that has no other side
Somewhere there's an airplane lost beyond the sky
So fly us up above the clouds
Live your life, where you are now

In the darkness round the sun
There's light behind your eyes
When you've lost the will to run

You can feel it start to shine
When the rain falls down so hard
And you don't know where to start
Drowning in the sun

Somewhere someone thinks they've found the perfect love
And they think you've found the answer to all of this
So hang on sometimes we miss it
I'll be your perfect kiss

In the darkness round the sun
There's light behind your eyes
When you've lost the will to run
You can feel it start to shine
When the rain falls down so hard
And you don't know where to start
Drowning in the sun

Oh, yeah
Drowning in the sun
Oh, yeah
Drowning in the sun

In the darkness round the sun
There's light behind your eyes
When you've lost the will to run
You can feel it start to shine
When the rain falls down so hard
And you don't know where to start
Drowning in the sun

Drowning in the sun

Overall Meaning

The first stanza of "Darkness Round The Sun" by Damhnait Doyle, speaks to the idea of infinite possibilities or other worlds beyond our own. The line, "Somewhere there's a sea that has no other side," suggests the idea of a world beyond our own, where there is no end to the horizon. The second line, "Somewhere there's an airplane lost beyond the sky," speaks to the idea that there are other planes of existence, beyond our own.

The chorus of the song, "In the darkness round the sun, there's light behind your eyes," suggests that there is a hopeful light, even in the darkest of moments. The metaphorical expression of the darkness surrounding the sun speaks to the idea of being lost or feeling trapped in a dark place, but still having hope that there is light somewhere.

In the second stanza, Doyle speaks to the idea of perfect love, and how it is often elusive. The line, "Somewhere someone thinks they've found the perfect love," speaks to the idea of searching for something that may not be attainable. The final line of the stanza, "I'll be your perfect kiss," suggests that even though perfection may be impossible, finding someone to share love and intimacy with can be fulfilling.

Overall, "Darkness Round The Sun" is a song that speaks to the idea of hope, even in the darkest of moments. It suggests that there is light and love to be found, even when everything seems lost.

Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere there's a sea that has no other side
There are possibilities that may seem infinite, without any limits or end.

Somewhere there's an airplane lost beyond the sky
There are unknown possibilities and destinations, making the world seem limitless.

So fly us up above the clouds
Take us to see a world of possibilities and perspectives that are beyond our reach.

Live your life, where you are now
Make the most of what you have and appreciate the little things in your current situation.

In the darkness round the sun
There is a sense of light and hopefulness even during difficult times, like the sun behind the clouds.

There's light behind your eyes
You have an inner strength and resilience that will help you get through tough times.

When you've lost the will to run
When you feel like giving up, there is still hope and a chance for change.

You can feel it start to shine
You will begin to feel more optimistic and brighter as you face and overcome challenges.

When the rain falls down so hard
When life gets difficult and throws challenges and obstacles your way.

And you don't know where to start
Uncertainty can be overwhelming, making it difficult to know what to do next.

Drowning in the sun
Feeling overwhelmed and lost, even in moments of brightness and light.

Somewhere someone thinks they've found the perfect love
People often think they have found the perfect solution to their problems, but it may not always be the case.

And they think you've found the answer to all of this
Others may believe they know what is best for you when it comes to overcoming obstacles.

So hang on sometimes we miss it
Life can move quickly, and it's easy to miss the opportunities and moments that can change everything.

I'll be your perfect kiss
In difficult times, having someone to support and comfort you can make all the difference.

Oh, yeah
An interjection expressing acknowledgment or agreement.