Dala

Sheila and Amanda formed DALA during the summer of 2002, making use of their talents on guitar and piano. Amanda was born with an innate understanding of music, and has rightfully earned her title as the "Harmony Machine". Sheila studied piano with the Royal Conservatory for 11 years. Combined, their vocal range spans from the darkest depths of the scale to undiscovered, and frightening heights. Their influences include The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Crosby , Stills, Nash and Young, Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Coldplay, the entire cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, and whoever else inspires them to sing along with intense facial expressions. In the summer of 2005 they signed to Universal Music. DALA is their name, and melting your hardened heart is their game.

Toe: Welcome Dala to the interview and to the site. Sheila:Hi, thanks for having us. Amanda: hi. Toe: So, what are you girls up to this summer? Any shows/events? Sheila: We played tons of shows this past summer, most of which were up in cottage country (Northern Ontario) Amanda: Yeah, most notably we played a number of festivals, including Mariposa, which is actually the longest running folk festival in Canada. It was amazing! Toe: There is a brand new album on the horizon. Any idea when we may see that? Sheila: We will be releasing it end of October/ early November Amanda: keep your eyes peeled. Toe: Your bio mentions you met in music class back in Grade 11. How long ago was that? Did you know each other a long time before Dala became a solid entity? Sheila: We met seven years ago and then started writing and playing music together around three years ago. You do the math:) Amanda: We started jamming together pretty much by accident, and then one thing led to another and it became our lives. Toe: Who does the writing in the band? Is it 50/50 or one person takes care of lyrics and the other writes music? Sheila: When we first began writing we pretty much wrote individually. It took a while to become comfortable with collaborating. Amanda: Now most of our writing is together. It's a nice balance between our two unique styles and it's a lot of fun. Toe: There are clips of some of your music on the site. Where did you two record, and who are the other musicians on the songs? Sheila: We recorded at Big Bold Sun studios in Aurora, an area north of Toronto. Amanda: We both play most of the instrument parts on the album, with the added help of a couple of our friends. Toe: You were just signed to Universal last month. That must have been pretty exciting. How have things changed since that happened? Sheila: We now own three Hummers each. They can be piled on top of each other to form Megatron. Amanda: (laughs) It was VERY exciting, and so far the only change has been that we have better shows lined up this Fall. All in all, our priorities are still the same. We just want to put on a good show. Toe: Have you had anything out of the ordinary happen at any of the shows you have played? Sheila: This one time, we asked how the crowd was doing, and my mom stood up at the back of the room and yelled (with her Irish accent) "IT'S TOO LOUD!!" Amanda: So far we haven't had anything bizarre happen. We're still waiting. Toe: Are there any plans to come and play out West? Sheila: As soon as we get the chance, we'll be on the first plane we can find. Amanda: Even if it's a toy plane. Toe: What would I find in your CD players right now? Amanda: Radiohead, Radiohead, Radiohead. (it's a three disc player) Sheila: One track mind. I'm listening to the Cloud Room, NIN and Tegan and Sara Toe: What interests are you pursuing right now, besides music? Sheila: I just got a cat. Amanda: My garden. Toe: If you guys could share the stage with any musician or band for a show, who would it be? Sheila: hmmmm. Coldplay and for my own enjoyment, Trent Reznor. Amanda: One track mind. I would love to be on the same stage as Neil Young. Even if it's just to refill his water bottle. Toe: And for the big question...for people visiting your site, and reading this interview...who is who in the pictures on the site? Sheila: I'm the good looking one. Amanda: She is. I'm the blonde one. Toe: Dala I appreciate your time in having this interview. We look forward to seeing you play out West here at some point. I will be extremely disappointed if you do not let me know when, so we can sit down for a show and a live interview Sheila: That would be great. Thanks so much! Amanda: Until next time, keep fit and have fun