“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
So Well
Damhnait Doyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I sit here broken hearted
sounds like something
written on a bathroom wall
and thats the best line
that I've got
cause your mother has you
and I've got to lie about you
as I scrawl on this stall
why do you treat me so well
why do you treat me so god damn well
been good to me so long
the enemy of a good song
and that's the kind of problem
every women should want
I've been through hellish phases
that yielded good catch phrases
but here with you, all that shit is gone
why do you treat me so well
why do you treat me the way
I need to be treated
why do you treat me so well
why do you need me the way
I need to be needed
that day in may
I thought I'd break
you broke me down
I was yours to take
across the room
I catch your glance
no standing guard
cause no one else stands a chance
so the drum beat's ending
and the patient's pending on
maliciousness and anger
why do you treat me so well
why do you treat me the way
I need to be treated
why do you treat me so well
why do you need me the way
I need to be needed
The song "So Well" by Damhnait Doyle is a reflection on a complicated romantic relationship. The singer, who is clearly deeply in love with the object of her affection, finds herself struggling to express her feelings for him. She is torn between her need for emotional transparency and her awe at the way he treats her so well. Despite the fact that she has been through difficult times in previous relationships, she finds herself unable to express her true feelings for this man, instead expressing herself in poetry scrawled on bathroom stalls.
The song is essentially a love letter to the man who treats her so well. The singer is so overwhelmed by his kindness and affection that she finds herself unable to put into words how she feels. She acknowledges that she is lying when she writes about him on bathroom walls, unable to express the depth of her emotions in any other way. The chorus, when she asks him why he treats her so well, is a question she cannot answer, because she herself is not entirely sure. All she knows is that she cannot imagine her life without him.
In the end, the singer is aware that the relationship is complicated and may not last. She talks of anger and maliciousness, and acknowledges that the future is uncertain. But even as she faces the possibility of heartbreak and pain, she cannot help but feel grateful for the way this man has treated her, and for the love and affection he has shown her over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
so the loop has started
The situation has started and there's no going back.
and I sit here broken hearted
I am sitting here feeling sad and heartbroken about what has happened.
sounds like something written on a bathroom wall
This situation or feeling seems like something that would be written on a bathroom wall, it's that bad.
and that's the best line that I've got
This is the only good line or reason I can come up with for what's happening.
cause your mother has you so well taught
You have been brought up or taught so well by your mother which is why you treat me the way you do.
and I've got to lie about you as I scrawl on this stall
I have to lie about you as I write on this bathroom stall because I cannot express my true feelings in public.
why do you treat me so well
I am questioning why you treat me so well despite all that I have done or said.
been good to me so long
You have been treating me well for so long.
the enemy of a good song
However, this stability in our relationship does not make for a good song, it's too predictable and boring.
and that's the kind of problem every women should want
This is the kind of problem every woman should want - to have a partner who treats them well and is predictable.
I've been through hellish phases that yielded good catch phrases
I have been through tough times that have produced good catchphrases or lyrics for my songs.
but here with you, all that shit is gone
However, now that I am with you and things are good, all that negativity is gone.
why do you need me the way I need to be needed
I am questioning why you need me the way I need to be needed, even though I can't express myself openly to you.
that day in may I thought I'd break, you broke me down I was yours to take
That day in May, I thought I would break up with you, but you convinced me otherwise and I became yours to keep.
across the room I catch your glance, no standing guard cause no one else stands a chance
When we're in the same room, I catch your eye and I can see that you're interested in me. I don't need to be on guard because nobody else stands a chance with you.
so the drum beat's ending and the patient's pending on maliciousness and anger
As our time together comes to an end, I am left feeling like I may have some feelings of anger or resentment towards you.
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.