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

Elusive Drug
Damhnait Doyle Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll be a life size
cutout of all your faults
open up your wounds
I will be the salt

no intermission
no time to rest
this is the real thing

this is not a test

chorus
you're the elusive drug
that keeps me from myself
when I reach for you
you're healing someone else
an addiction comes so sudden
oh, it comes so sweet
the elusive drug has me beat

your the epitome of
what you hate about me
you inspire me
to be more like you

and it pleases me
to see you so frustrated
growing intimidated, agitated
cause I'm just like you

chorus

and you pick on my imperfections
and you put 'em out on show
you're well worn crown of compliments
I will never know

chorus out

Overall Meaning

In Damhnait Doyle's song, "Elusive Drug," the lyrics suggest a toxic relationship between two individuals. The singer presents themselves as willing to be everything that their partner despises, from being a constant reminder of their faults to being the salt on their wounds. The partner, who seems to be elusive, acts as a drug that the singer is addicted to. Every time the singer reaches for them, they end up healing someone else, leaving the singer feeling defeated. The addiction comes suddenly and sweetly, overpowering the singer's ability to overcome it.

Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that the partner serves as an inspiration for the singer to act just like them, despite hating everything about themselves that the partner represents. It pleases the singer to see the partner growing agitated and intimidated as the singer becomes more similar to them. The partner reveals the singer's imperfections, putting them on display for the world to see, while the partner's own insecurities and compliments will forever remain hidden from the singer.

Overall, "Elusive Drug" suggests a toxic relationship full of self-loathing and borderline obsession. The singer is addicted to someone they can't reach and are willing to become everything they hate to be with them.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll be a life size
I will be a full-sized representation

cutout of all your faults
depicting all your shortcomings

open up your wounds
revealing your vulnerabilities

I will be the salt
adding pain to your wounds

no intermission
no breaks or pauses

no time to rest
no opportunity to relax

this is the real thing
this is not fake or an act

this is not a test
this is a serious situation

you're the elusive drug
you are the addictive substance that cannot be found

that keeps me from myself
that prevents me from being myself

when I reach for you
when I try to find you