Dala is Toronto-based, Juno-nominated duo Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther. With incomparable vocal harmonies, emotionally resonant songwriting, and deeply personal and engaging live shows, Dala have made a signature name for themselves in the Canadian Folk scene.
14 years have passed since their last studio album, and Dala are back with brand new music and a revitalized creative vision. The pair have remained active in the intervening years, continuing to tour, write, and perform. Their much anticipated new album, The Big Bang, reflects an exciting new chapter in the beloved duo’s long-standing artistic and personal connection.
photo by Jen Squires
The years between records brought with them a wealth of new experiences for the pair: Solo projects, academic pursuits, new careers, creative reinventions, family milestones, heartbreaks, and marathons, both figurative and literal. The growth of the duo is undeniable. The new songs are remarkably stripped down, and yet they carry with them a powerful sense of urgency, maturity, and joy.
What remains is their unmistakable blend: Amanda’s crystalline soprano and Sheila’s warm velvety alto, woven together with effortless precision, in harmonies that feel both grounded and ethereal. The connection between them, built over decades, has never felt so thrilling.
Since forming in 2002, Dala have earned a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year. They have built a legion of devoted fans following years of touring across North America. They have appeared at landmark festivals including the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Mariposa, and the Edmonton Folk Festival. They have shared stages with Canadian legends such as Tom Cochrane, Jann Arden, and Stuart McLean, and American icons such as Arlo Guthrie and Richie Havens.
Now, with their new album The Big Bang, Dala are stepping into the moment reconnected, reenergized, and more rooted in harmony than ever before. It's been a long road from the High School music room where they first met, but the message of Dala's new album is clear: They’re just getting started.