Skydiggers

For two decades the Skydiggers have been integral members of Canada's vibrant folk-rock scene, garnering considerable critical acclaim and community support despite repeated industry setbacks and limited commercial success. Inspired to write songs after attending a concert by the Hi-Fi's (later Blue Rodeo) at the Cabana Club in Toronto, founding member Josh Finlayson formed an acoustic duo with Andy Maize in 1988, quickly attracting attention with their strong melodic vocal harmonies. With the additions of songwriter Peter Cash, drummer Wayne Stokes, and bassist Ron Macey, the Skydiggers rapidly became darlings of the Toronto club scene. Less than a year after forming, the Skydiggers became the first signing of the new Canadian branch of Enigma Records, releasing their self-titled debut LP in 1990. Sales were modest but the record garnered two charting singles at Canadian radio, "Monday Morning" and "I Will Give You Everything," giving the group the foundation for the first of many Canadian cross-country tours. Despite their growing popularity, their new record company was unable to promote the album properly; soon the slim economics of the Canadian music marketplace and the collapse of the U.S. parent company forced Enigma Canada into bankruptcy. Undeterred, several former members of Enigma formed FRE Records, bankrolling and releasing the second Skydiggers album, Restless, in 1992. Critically acclaimed, Restless spawned their biggest hit single ("A Penny More") and is considered by many fans and critics as the high watermark of the band's recording career. FRE and Enigma Records were then picked up for distribution by Capitol/EMI, which reissued the first album and released the album Just Over This Mountain in 1993, which ironically -- after three records and a dozen...