In a relatively short time, Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther of the Canadian duo Dala have established themselves as one of the brightest rising stars of the popfolk circuit. On their second release with Compass Records, Best Day, the duo has achieved a new level of maturity in both their abilities as songwriters and integrity of presentation. Vaguely reminiscent of fellow Canadian Feist and with echoes of Leonard Cohen’s lyric sensibilities, Dala presents a set of tracks that are empowering and optimistic but not without a quiet mourning for the past and the impossible. Of particular note are the title tracks, a sweet love ballad called “Good As Gold” and “Life on Earth,” which will be the first video single for the album, showcasing the trademark lush harmonies of Amanda’s ethereal soprano and Sheila’s velvety alto.

Dala’s previous efforts have earned them collective accolades, their video/DVD for Girls of the North Country was nominated for a Juno Award and Everyone is Someone earned the duo their fifth Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Folk Group and was touted by the Irish Post as the Album of the Year. The song “Horses” was nominated by National Public Radio in the US as one of the Top Ten folk songs of 2010. Dala is a favorite in the US Festival circuit with recent appearances including New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and a repeat appearance at The Newport Folk Festival. They have also appeared on syndicated radio including Mountain Stage, NPR’s Folk Alley and World Café.

"The definitively Canadian duo…has an ear for pop hooks, but writes songs that sound warm and comfortable played on an acoustic guitar with little ornamentation.” —NPR Music

“Ontario’s Dala are so charming in every other way it hurts.” —Edmonton Sun

“Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are poised to bring their harmonies and fresh brand of acoustic pop to the world.” —The Post (Ontario)