“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
Learn To Crawl
Damhnait Doyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I like the shame
just to say the words to the ones that I've hurt
it kills my pain
these are my hands that have
touched another man
these are my feet that are
chorus
I want to break
I want to fall
to be cut by
the jagged edges as I
learn to crawl
I'm not the one you think I am
I'm not the one you need
I'll only make you bleed
I'd give up everything I have
give up everything I am
to want you, the way you want me
these are my arms
that have held another tight
these are my lips
that he kisses well into the night
chorus
and yet he turns me so
I'll easily forget
all I have ever known
chorus out
The song "Learn To Crawl" by Damhnait Doyle is about being honest with oneself and embracing vulnerability in order to heal and move forward. The first verse talks about the singer's tendency to confess her mistakes and shortcomings to those she has hurt, as a way to gain relief from her own pain. The lyrics suggest that she enjoys the shame of admitting her faults and seeks out these moments of vulnerability as a way to confront her inner demons.
The chorus expresses a desire to break free and experience the pain and struggle of learning to crawl, suggesting that this process of growth and self-discovery is necessary for personal transformation. The second verse reveals the singer's awareness that she is not the person her partner may want or need her to be, and that she is willing to sacrifice everything she has and everything she is to be loved in the way she desires. The final lines suggest that despite her awareness of her own tendencies towards self-deception and denial, the singer is still susceptible to being swept up in the romantic illusions offered by her partner.
Overall, "Learn To Crawl" is a powerful introspective ballad that encourages listeners to confront their own inner struggles and embrace vulnerability as a necessary part of personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
me, I never keep any secrets from myself
I am always honest with myself and never keep any secrets.
I think I like the shame
I enjoy feeling guilty for my actions.
just to say the words to the ones that I've hurt
I feel the need to apologize to the people I have hurt.
it kills my pain
Apologizing helps ease my emotional pain.
these are my hands that have touched another man
I have been unfaithful and have touched another man with my hands.
these are my feet that are drawn to the quick sand
I am drawn to dangerous situations and behaviors.
I'm not the one you think I am
I am not the person you perceive me to be.
I'm not the one you need
I am not the person you need in your life.
I'll only make you bleed
I will only hurt you.
I'd give up everything I have
I would sacrifice all that I possess.
give up everything I am
I would give up my identity.
to want you, the way you want me
I desire to be wanted by the person I long for.
these are my arms that have held another tight
I have held another person tight in my embrace.
these are my lips that he kisses well into the night
I have been physically intimate with someone into the early hours of the morning.
I want to break
I want to shatter my current self.
I want to fall
I want to plummet and crash down.
to be cut by the jagged edges as I learn to crawl
I want to experience the pain and discomfort of growth as I learn to navigate through life.
and yet he turns me so
Despite my inner conflict, I am still attracted to this person.
I'll easily forget
I can easily forget about my true self and desires.
all I have ever known
All that I have experienced and learned so far.
Contributed by Alexandra M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.