Daniel Sky

After years of slingin’ shots, serving the music community of Toronto’s Parkdale (at popular artist hangout Not My Dog), Daniel Sky steps out from behind the bar and into the studio with resounding results. Released independently and produced by man about Hogtown David Baxter (Justin Rutledge, Bob Snider), Sky shows on this debut that all those years of promoting and listening to other roots musicians have paid off. Birds, the imagery of flight and dreams are the themes that weave together these nine songs. On the Round features a fine collection of other TO roots musicians, including the accordion of Treasa Levasseur and the upright bass of Brian Kobayakawa (Creaking Tree String Quartet). The title cut sets the tone; it’s an emotive song filled with rich instrumentation. The lo-fi "Paisley Sadie” showcases Sky’s skilful harp playing. Other highs include "Way Back Home,” which speaks of a "whisky-tinted dream,” and "Prairie Sky,” where the songwriter finds solace in the wondrous beauty of nature’s embrace. If this debut is any indication, Sky will be spending more time strumming chords and taking centre stage at bars across this country in the months to come, rather than serving whisky sours to fellow music lovers.