Karen Bliss
contributed by Chelsi
Antoine and James a.k.a. Montreal-based urban-pop duo Sky, warm up their voices in a hallway before appearing on THE DINI PETTY SHOW. Guitarist John Acosta strums the current single "Love Song," on acoustic. James starts singing - beautifully - and Antoine adds some harmonies. The impromptu performance, which goes to include Hall & Oates's "Sara Smile" and Diana Ross's "Missing You" (with a Warren G rap tossed in) stops staff and brings into focus "the real factor" -that this commercial polished pop duo are not merely the product of studio whizzes.

Sky's debut album, PIECE OF PARADISE, was produced by the world-renowned Peter Mokran (Maxwell, R Kelly, Michael Jackson) and Euro-Syndicate Productions, whose members include The Berman Brothers (She Moves, Hanson,Real McCoy). The choice was more for the cred factor than a slight on Sky's production skills. Sky's Canadian label (EMI) is looking to break this act in a big way and "name" recognition helps. Arista Records recently signed the band for U.K., U.S. and Asia and has the same global vision for the duo.

Chris Cole, the self-described "green room mom," escorts the band out to the stage. "Everyone ready? Let's check your teeth now. Don't want anything in there," she teases. Gum is immediately expelled.

In amongst the grey-haired audience are some young folks clutching Sky CDs.

"Today, a really hot band from Montreal, Sky," Petty reads off the monitor. The band plays "Love Song" and James and Antoine, backed by a drummer, keyboardist, guitarist and bassist, prove to be comfortable, charming frontmen.

Petty chats with the band briefly, recapping what she says was a "brilliant" independant business strategy that led to their major label deal - investors, an EP, video and indie label. She also calls Sky "one of the best reasons why this country should never separate. Look at the talent!"

After a technical glitch delays Sky's performance of "Some Kinda Wonderful" for well over an hour, the band performs the song, the dashes off to Toronto radio station Hits 103. On the way, Antoine does a bizarre interview on the cell phone with CHART'S Aaron Brophy, covering everything from toilet and subway sanitation to his tongue piercing and $4,000 worth of tattoos. This is a band where all is not what it seems.

Below the exterior of Sky's sweet sexy soul and stylish, earthly good looks, lies a gritty reality. James and Antoine are drawn to subjects that are off the beaten track, a guy in love with a she-devil in "Some Kinda Wonderful," cocaine addiction in "Powder," a heroine-driven crime in "Shave." Purer in thought are the personal snapshots in the propulsive "Love Song" and stunning ballad "All I Want," a destined international hit.

103 is playing on the car radio and the DJ announces that Sky has just finished THE DINI PETTY SHOW and is making its way to their studios. At the rainbow-painted offices, decorated with clippings and calendars of bikini-clad girls, program director Ken Stowar hooks the guys up on the phone line for an interview with Tony Monaco, who's on-air in 103's other studio location. Next stop is national radio network Pelmorex, for an interview with Lisa Griffin. On the way, 103 spins"Love Song." It's the first time James has heard it on the radio.

It's 6:30 p.m. and the guys have one more interview left. They are co-hosting Energy Radio's Top Eight at Eight. Antoine is famished and the pull into Mr. Greek for dinner. When the bill arrives, so does a teenage girl. "I don't know if anyone knows you in the restaurant, but I do," she says. "Can I have your autograph?"

Sky arrives at Energy Radio at 7:45. When the clock strikes eight, operator Kenny B plays the number eight track, "love Song," and James and Antoine settle into the nighttime groove. Williams asks the guys to describe PIECE OF PARADISE in three words. Without missing a beat, James quips, "Thirteen Ninety Nine".

Frankly, Williams brings up the here-today-gone-same-day fickleness of the pop music industry and asks what separates Sky? "We're gonna keep writing good songs and lyrics that can touch people," Antoine responds.

For a treat, at 8:50 the stations spins an unreleased, straight off the board CDR demo of a new song, the sultry "Strange," which Arista might add to the album before its U.S. release. "It's about really weird kinky sex," says Antoine when he's off the air. "It's a kind of in-your-face, funky, R&B bumpin',whipping, '80's0-flavoured, Jacksons-influenced track."

By now, a horde of teenage girls has gathered outside the window, screaming occasionally and speaking through the glass about how James is "hot" and Antoine is "sexy." The guys venture outside with black markers in hand to sign autographs. "You guys are great fans to stay outside in the cold," says Antoine.

"It was worth it," answers one, as she poses for a group photo.

For Sky, it's moments like this that make it worth it.

© 1999-2001

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