Employee of the Myth

Since the early days of the band, Skydiggers have placed a high value on friends, fans, and collaborators. What started over 30 years ago as a few songs on a Monday night at Toronto's Spadina Hotel gradually bloomed, to become a vibrant and joyful community, rich with stories and songs, still thriving and growing today.  In Season 3 of Employee of the Myth, we highlight a few key musical relationships that have developed over the years, beginning with guitarist/songwriter Paul Langlois. As a member of the legendary rock band The Tragically Hip, Paul witnessed Skydiggers' ascent within the Canadian music scene. Much mutual admiration and inspiration ensued. Joining Paul for the conversation is his current bandmate in the Paul Langlois Band—guitarist Greg Ball—along with co-hosts Jane Gowan and Joel Stewart, and Skydiggers co-founders Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson. Paul's new album is called Guess What, and is available wherever you get your fine Canadian rock n roll. More about Paul Langlois:Paul Langlois linktr.eeSongs used in this episode:"Je t'aime Toujours, Mon Amour" - Skydiggers (Bide Your Time, 2023)"The Face of Time" - Paul Langlois Band (Guess What, 2023)"Will To Fight" - Paul Langlois Band (Guess What, 2023)"Broken Road" - Paul Langlois Band (Fix This Head, 2010)"It Matters To Me" - Paul Langlois Band (Guess What, 2023)"Slow Burning Fire" - Skydiggers (Restless, 1992)Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"This is  a celebration of the two of us making music together...for over 35 years".—Andy Maize"I'm very grateful that people will come and see us and that we've made a connection in the lives of an audience - what a gift that is".—Josh FinlaysonUn peu française, un peu optimiste, the final track on Bide Your Time is a joyous Django Reinhart-meets-Mills Brothers number - the perfect chanson to send us off into the night with a smile in our hearts and a spring in our step. For this track, audio engineer & multi-instrumentalist Tim Vesely (Rheostatics, Violet Archers) joined the fold, playing upright bass and singing harmonies. This is a celebratory finale that finds Skydiggers paying tribute to the the past, being grateful for the present, and anticipating all the music to come.  To cap it all off, you'll be treated to two live-off-the-floor acoustic recordings: From the new album, you'll hear "Je t'aime toujours, mon amour" (Bide Your Time, 2023 ), followed by "Nothing Lasts Forever" (Warmth of the Sun, 2017). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"... it's about the cult of celebrity that we find ourselves in...people who are famous for being famous... one of those people was elected President of the United States." — Andy Maize"Whatever the Cost"—the 5th track on Bide Your Time—reveals a perspective partially ripped from the headlines, but also gleaned from a more panoramic look at society and fame. From stream of consciousness to the Santa Claus Parade, this episode finds Andy and Josh once again unveiling priceless memories and valuable lessons learned from a life spent on stage and in the studio. As always, the importance of friends, family, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour are essential ingredients in a rich career that has allowed them to continue making music that stays true to who they are.You'll also be treated to acoustic live-off-the-floor versions of two songs: From the new album "Whatever The Cost" (Bide Your Time, 2023 ), and "It's a Pity" (Road Radio, 1995). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"When you release [a song] it's no longer yours, so you put it out into the world, and it finds its own path..." —Andy MaizePrivate thoughts, public work: a contrast that many artists and performers encounter, and Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson are no exception. Their ability to step back from their own personal challenges and present an all-embracing picture of the world may be one of their superpowers, but ...they're only human. In "Keep It To Myself", the raw emotions felt after a loss are held close to the chest.  In this episode, Josh and Andy talk about the balance of personal and private. They also touch on of the topics of grief, comfort, social media, road trips, soundtracks, and the essential role played by Josh's rhythm guitar.  You'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: The brand new "Keep It To Myself" (Bide Your Time, 2023 ) and "Northern Shore" (Northern Shore Deluxe, 2012). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"...every time you get up on stage, you try to represent what you're doing, to the best of your abilities. You can have a sh*tty song or a sh*tty set, and then you can turn it around. That's one song at a time...night after night" —Andy MaizeIn this episode, Andy and Josh explain how they stay positive when things get challenging, and how the band can be a safe haven when times are tough. They also talk about their annual Christmas show (a cherished tradition for so many of their fans), and what they might have been if they hadn't become musicians. In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: The brand new "One Song at a Time" (Bide Your Time, 2023 ) and—"All Of Our Dreaming" (Bittersweet Harmony, 2003). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

At once current and timeless, "Just Another Lucky Day" calls out the behaviour of certain people in power and delves into the challenges faced by a divided society, while maintaining a deep warmth and strong melodic foundation. In this episode, Andy and Josh talk pandemic times, working with producer Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), and creating another "classic Skydiggers" track.In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "City of Sirens" (City of Sirens 2023 + Andy Maize'sThe History of Forgetting, 2010 ) and—from the brand new EP Bide Your Time—"Just Another Lucky Day". Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto, Ontario.Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson discuss the first track from their new EP, Bide Your Time. They talk about their approaches to 30 years of singing harmonies together, and how they arrived at a "kitchen-party-bluegrass-jam" style for this track. They also reflect on a long-ago tour in the Netherlands with a stungun-toting promoter named "Rudolph", and the time when Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip quoted their song "A Penny More" on Saturday Night Live.In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Employee of the Myth" (Bide Your Time, 2023) and "A Penny More" (Restless, 1992). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto.Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson are masters of embracing change and evolution in the creative process. Track 6—“Come to My Senses”—is an example of their ability to keep moving forward, and making music that is fresh, relevant, but still authentic to who they are.In this episode, they reveal how a song written years ago, blossomed in the recording studio with the help of a solid bass line, great musicians (such as trumpet player Daniel Lapp), and a fruitful collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Joby Baker.In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Come to My Senses" (Hide Your Light, 2023) and "Warmth of the Sun" (Warmth of the Sun, 2017). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

“A Wednesday meant for broken hearts to mend…” In Episode 5, Andy and Josh discuss finding meaning in the loss of loved ones and the healing power of music.In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Anything For You” (Bittersweet Harmony 2003), and "A Wednesday" (Hide Your Light, 2023). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

In this episode we take a nostalgic look back to a time when everything was in front of us…  to the innocence and adventure of youth… the endless days of summer and the endless possibilities of life ahead… “All the time you can’t get back… when time is all that you need…”In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Muscle Cars and Sissy Bars” (Hide Your Light 2003), and "I Will Give You Everything" (Skydiggers, 1990). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

EP 3 - Hide Your Light, finds Jane, Josh and Andy shining a light on the EP's title track. In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Hide Your Light” (Hide Your Light, 2023), and "Horseshoe Bay" (Bittersweet Harmony, 2003). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"Bit by bit, brick by brick, My city is gone..." Josh and Andy discuss the changes that have occurred in Toronto over the years and also touch upon Josh's time in London during the early '80s.In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Desmond's Hip City” (Desmond's Hip City, 1997), and "My City is Gone" (Hide Your Light, 2023). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

Episode 1 of Employee of the Myth  features Ronnie Lane's "Debris", the opening track on Skydiggers' new EP, Hide Your Light.“If you’ll learn to play an instrument you will always have a friend.” A solid piece of advice from Stanley Lane to his son Ronnie, who would take that advice and turn it into a career writing songs and playing with seminal British bands the Small Faces, Faces and Slim Chance. This is our tip of the cap to the late, great, Ronnie Lane and his tribute to his father. In addition to the interview, you'll also hear Andy and Josh perform two songs: "Debris”, by Ronnie Lane (Hide Your Light 2023), and "You've Got a Lot of Nerve", by Andrew Cash (Road Radio, 1995). Both tracks are recorded by Tim Vesely, live-off-the-floor at the Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely