Sky, the Montreal-based duo of Antoine and James, are accomplished writers, producers and multi-instrumentalists whose edgy and introspective lyrics, soaring pop melodies and killer harmonies define the sound of their Arista debut, Piece of Paradise.
"Love Song," the first U.S. single, was #1 most added in its first week at Top 40 Radio, according to Radio & Records magazine.
"Love Song" has already gone to #1 on the Canadian CHR chart & #1 on MUCH MUSIC. The group’s album went double platinum after only three months in their native Canada and after debuting at a record-breaking #6 , the highest debut ever for any new Canadian artist. The group’s first Canadian single, "Some Kind Of Wonderful," was the longest-running video in MUCH MUSIC history (24 weeks). The U.S. Album release date is June 29, 1999 (*With the addition of two new songs: "Dreamin’" & "Strange")
The worldwide appeal of Sky’s edgy pop sound and unique production style is undeniable. Employing top-name producers is only part of the global strategy. What really sets them apart is that James and Antoine are accomplished songwriters and musicians in their own right, something that cannot be said about most contemporary pop groups.
Housemates for five years in the very same space where they write and demo at their home studio, James and Antoine rarely agree on anything besides music. "There's even a bit of tension when we're working," admits James. Still, that fraternal dynamic has yielded an impressive musical force.
Strangely, it's not the frontman, James, who is outgoing and sociable, but Antoine. James is shy and prefers to stay home and read a sci-fi novel, or if he must venture out, chooses a movie theater over a house party. Even more out of character, though, James has sky-dived five times. One would think then, that James, the quiet type, would be the clean freak. Not so. That honor goes to the tattoo-adorned Antoine.
Musically, their personalities can't help but seep into Sky's songs. "What I bring to it is more the energetic groove," explains Antoine. "The whole sound, the drums and bass track, the 'going out' vibe in a song is me. James brings the deeper side to the song."
Where the guys' minds meet is in their determination, their creative instinct and their headstrong vision of what Sky is and can be. Both songwriters, producers and multi-instrumentalists, the pair met in 1992 at a music engineering school in their native Montreal. Since then, James and Antoine have honed and nurtured Sky's sound independently. They self-produced and played all the instruments on a five-song EP in 1997, and released it on the band's own Phat Royale label. It was serviced to radio in Quebec and landed on 43 stations. A video for the song, "America," was also put into rotation at MusiquePlus and the band started playing locally. In February of 1998 they signed to EMI Music for release in Canada and then in February of 1999 signed with Arista Records for release in the U.S., U.K. and Japan.
For their Arista debut the duo worked separately with internationally renowned producers Peter Mokran (Maxwell, R Kelly, Michael Jackson) and Euro-Syndicate Productions, (whose members include The Berman Brothers, Jeff Coplan and Joe West). Sky wasn't intimidated by the producers' experience and know-how and made no apologies for their own. "We have very defined ideas," says James. "We have the gear in our own studio to build our songs up and [the producers] were then able to work side by side with us to bring our vision all the way home."
Working first with Euro-Syndicate at Gallery Studios in New York City, Sky says the production team translated the ideas behind the songs beautifully, especially for "Love Song". "When you write a song, the idea and the feelings you have in your head are easier to express lyrically," says James. "That song is my life in a nutshell with all the disturbances and happy moments, and The Euro-Syndicate was able to help build a track behind it that makes you feel the same way."
"Strange," Sky’s likely second U.S. single, is a gritty, pulsating track filled with sexual tension that explores a forbidden relationship and takes place in the steamy, sensual environment of Europe’s dance clubs.
Other key cuts include "America", a wistful pop song laced with a touch of cynicism, about how the pursuit of the American Dream is "nothing more than a dead-end"; "Dreamin’," a heartfelt breakup song with a soaring melodic chorus; and "All I Want," a stunning ballad with spectacular harmonies.
If Sky does write an old-fashioned love song, there's most likely a twist. The shuffling pop of "Some Kinda Wonderful", for instance, is about a man smitten by a rather unusual woman. "You can call me baby if you let me hold your soul," goes the lyric, written from her perspective. And later, from his: "I know the eyes are freaky and the horns are here to stay."
"It's about this guy who falls in love with Satan in the form of a woman," explains James. "They move to the suburbs and have kids, and everybody gawks. He thinks it's because she's really pretty."