Canadian-Irish duo Dandelion Highway smile as they perform and it’s impossible not to smile back; there’s a gentle joy in their music, which is infectious and a wonderful tonic in a troubled world. In “The Crossing”, Kayleigh McGavock sings, “To know you is a priceless thing,” and there’s a universal truth and beauty in these simple, direct words that everyone can acknowledge and appreciate. “The Crossing” is an absorbing song, propelled along by a delicately pulsing rhythm and Chris Sytnyk’s hypnotic bass. McGavock’s voice rises up, drifting on gorgeous currents of melody, buoyed by Sytnyk’s understated backing.
“The Crossing” is a song for the homesick, a feeling McGavock knows well having moved from Ireland to Canada. She explains, “I’d love to share the story of ‘The Crossing’ – the first song me & Chris wrote together from scratch! We wrote it in one sitting, it came together so quickly. Myself and Chris, were both plucking acoustic guitars. It’s a bit of a hopeful refrain for the homesick! It’s for all fellow immigrants, or for anyone missing friends or family living far away, or passed away. The song is about appreciating those people who mean home to us. It expresses some insecurity that things will change with distance and time. That little swinging outro is supposed to be defiant: ‘the hands each side, the sea that binds, that shifts the tide, each time I’m crossing.’ It meant to me that love like that is always there, no matter how far away, sure as the tide. I think it defines the album and the overall identity of Dandelion Highway very well, the songs are vulnerable and very honest, they are our stories. We want people to hear them and feel less alone and maybe just a little uplifted.”
The accompanying video, directed and produced by Mark Zerenyi, is set in a vintage shop, full of memorabilia, clothing and retro pop culture. The location is really fitting for the song’s themes, exploring feelings of nostalgia and comfort in the past, while creating new memories through new shared experiences. Above all, we see McGavock, Sytnyk and their companions having fun, delighting in making music and being together, a positivity that draws us in.
“The Crossing” is the title track from Dandelion Highway’s brand new EP, which is out now. Recorded with Canadian producer, musician and composer Ron Lopata (Jacksoul, Jully Black, Lindi Ortega), the five songs are modern folk influenced by Irish and Canadian singer-songwriter traditions. Sytnyk says of working with Lopata, “Three of the five songs on the EP were not even written when we began working with Ron. The three of us together have had some of the most magical and inspirational music sessions I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of. Ron is a producer on another level and vibrates on a higher frequency than almost everyone one I’ve ever worked with before. We were also lucky enough to have him play on our tracks. Every note he plays is the right note at the right time and it is a joy and honour to be in the room with him and watch him work.” The result is an uplifting collection, full of heart. Enjoy.
