Employee of the Myth

• 26 - Andy and Josh: Song by Song

  "There's a certain level where Josh and I are the bosses, but musically, we're all equal." - Andy MaizeAndy Maize and Josh Finlayson are two of the founding members of Skydiggers.Some 35 years into their musical journey, and on the eve of the release of the band's 20th studio offering, the 14-song Dreams and Second Chances, Josh and Andy offer a rare glimpse into their always-evolving creative process, the role of their band mates in that process, and a few of the reasons why their creative partnership thrives as never before.With a friendship that began in kindergarten and solidified during their high school years at North Toronto Collegiate, the duo not only continue to evolve as band leaders, but also serve as statesmen of the Canadian music industry. In their leadership roles both in their band and in the industry, Josh and Andy continue to use their platform to welcome and amplify the talents and voices of a new generation of Canadian musicians.Listen to Dreams and Second Chances Watch the lyric video for "Snow Blind"All the music in this episode is from Dreams and Second Chances. Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer & co-host: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

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• 25 - Noel Webb: Actual Intelligence

  "Always having an open door to the success of other people - that's what Andy and Josh do in Canada...it's so beautiful". — Noel WebbThe longest serving drummer of Skydiggers, Noel Webb is celebrating 20 years with the band, and now considers them "family". He says playing with the band is like "having dinner together". Born in Birmingham, England, Noel's attraction to the drums started at a very early age, when he would run in the back yard wielding a stick, banging on random (inanimate) objects, and keeping time with the radio hits of the day. When real drum sticks arrived as a gift from a brother, an obsession was hatched. Noel's passion for percussion led him to a degree in Orchestral Composition from Laurier University.Despite his considerable achievements in education, and remarkable accomplishments in the business world, Noel remains grateful for the life lessons that says he continues to learn from his “boss” Andy. He believes strongly in "serving the art” as the songs develop and change with the evolution of the band. When asked what he’s learned in his 20 years with the band, the answer is "lead with love". Cheers to that.This interview was recorded at The Tragically Hip's Bathouse Studio in Bath, Ontario, during the recording of Skydiggers new album Dreams and Second Chances (available everywhere May 9, 2025). Listen to Dreams and Second Chances Watch the lyric video for "Snow Blind"Music in this episode:"Dreams and Second Chances" - Skydiggers (Single, 2025)"Broken Year" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"One Maybe Two Maybe" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"Je T'aime Toujours, Mon Amour" - Skydiggers (Bide Your Time, 2023)Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer & co-host: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

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• 24 - Derrick Brady Is My Friend

  "With Andy and Josh, it was - 'you're part of the band'. I still remember one of the early shows, Andy said at the end of the show on the microphone - 'we are all Skydiggers'. That resonated with me. So, [they were not only] very welcoming, but they gave us a lot of latitude—everyone—to do what they needed to do". — Derrick BradyA mainstay of the Skydiggers sound for 12 or so years now, Derrick Brady was offered the bass seat after the departure of the much-loved Ron Macey (Skydiggers' original bass player). Those were not easy shoes to fill, but Derrick's familiarity with the songs, and his existing friendship with Andy and Josh made him a natural fit. His musical maturity and seasoned chops add depth, groove, and —when necessary—space. When not on the stage, you can find him holding court in the kitchen, cooking up a mean spaghetti sauce. Everybody loves Derrick!This interview was recorded at The Tragically Hip's Bathouse Studio in Bath, Ontario, during the recording of Skydiggers new album Dreams and Second Chances (available everywhere May 9, 2025). Listen to Dreams and Second Chances Watch the lyric video for "Snow Blind"Music in this episode:"Dreams and Second Chances" - Skydiggers (Single, 2025)"Snow Blind" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"Mother's Pocket" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"Je T'aime Toujours, Mon Amour" - Skydiggers (Bide Your Time, 2023)Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer & co-host: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

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• 23 - Michael Johnston: Future Blue Jays Organist

  "It's lovely to think of being able to walk into a situation with 20 years of hindsight now...I really felt a part of it...I was able to bring my own ideas, right from the start" — Michael Johnston20 years ago, keyboardist/songwriter Michael Johnston was—like so many of us—a Skydiggers fan. However, being a sideman in one of his favourite bands hadn't occured to him, since—at that point—he was performing his own material and working mostly as a solo artist under his own name. Then one day Andy and Josh asked him to sit in for a few songs, and he gradually found himself living in what he refers to as an "imaginary dream state".  Working from scratch, he developed keyboard parts that complemented the songs he'd come to know and love. Today, he's an integral part of the Skydiggers sound, and also a co-writer on several tracks.This interview was recorded at The Tragically Hip's Bathouse Studio in Bath, Ontario, during the recording of Skydiggers new album Dreams and Second Chances. Listen to Dreams and Second Chances Watch the lyric video for "Snow Blind"Music in this episode:"Dreams and Second Chances" - Skydiggers (Single, 2025)"Hello Beautiful Life" - Skydiggers (City of Sirens, 208)"I Love You, Too, Maybe" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"Quiet Mind" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"Je T'aime Toujours, Mon Amour" - Skydiggers (Bide Your Time, 2023)FYI: Skydiggers Dakota Sessions (as mentioned in the conversation) can be found on the band's YouTube ChannelStream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer & co-host: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

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• 22 - Aaron Comeau: Adding Colour

  "In Skydiggers, I can really be myself...there's a lot of trust" — Aaron ComeauGuitarist Aaron Comeau can't really pinpoint a time when he was officially in the band, but one day he got up to guest at the annual Christmas show, and—as he puts it—he "never left the stage". A multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and producer in his own right, Comeau comes by his musical talents honestly: his mother is a piano teacher and taught him how to play from an early age, and his grandfather played clarinet and violin.  Aaron's natural curiosity and musical inclination has guided him towards a life of creativity, collaboration, and the satisfaction of making music with amazing people. His keen sense of what's needed in a song, and how best to "fit in" to the music, has made him an indispensable part of the Skydiggers' sound for the better part of 10 years. This interview was recorded at The Tragically Hip's Bathouse Studio in Bath, Ontario, during the recording of Skydiggers new album Dreams and Second Chances (available everywhere May 9, 2025). Listen to Dreams and Second Chances Watch the lyric video for "Snow Blind"Music in this episode:"Dreams and Second Chances" - Skydiggers (Single, 2025)"Feel a Whole Lot Better" - Skydiggers (Here Without You - The Songs of Gene Clark, 2020)"Brother Can You Spare a Dime" - (Single, 2020)"Tomorrow, Today" - Aaron Comeau (Infinity Trials, 2024)"Start Again" - Skydiggers (Dreams and Second Chances, May 9, 2025)"Je T'aime Toujours, Mon Amour" - Skydiggers (Bide Your Time, 2023)Stream, download, and follow SkydiggersEmployee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers ProductionsFeaturing: Andy Maize and Josh FinlaysonProducer & co-host: Joel StewartHost and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

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