Employee of the Myth

"When we sing together like that, it feels like a real superpower...like you're part of something much bigger..." —Josh 

"...this is a chance to take stock, and move forward into whatever the next thing is" —Andy

Music can make friends.  And that's how this friendship started.

In the shadow of the Hi Fi's, Handsome Ned and Cowboy Junkies, at a time when traditional country music was the soundtrack of Toronto's Queen Street West, a musical partnership was crafted.  And these forty years ago, a new band was formed.

West Montrose would become Skydiggers. 

Skydiggers would become the stuff of legend. 

When Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize first made music, the songs on West Montrose were the songs they played - the songs where they found that their voices merged.

Songs that became something bigger when they sang them together.

Now with Maize and Finlayson celebrating 40 years as musical partners, the album West Montrose is an opportunity for Skydiggers to revisit the songs that became their foundation. 

In this episode, Josh and Andy discuss Side B of West Montrose - the album, and that moment in time that changed it all.

West Montrose is available everywhere on June 5, 2026. Listen here. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

“We never set out to reinvent the wheel, but maybe to be another spoke in the wheel” —Andy Maize

“Everything’s a bluegrass tune to me” —Josh Finlayson

Music can make friends.  And that's how this friendship started.

In the shadow of the Hi Fi's, Handsome Ned and Cowboy Junkies, at a time when traditional country music was the soundtrack of Toronto's Queen Street West, a musical partnership was crafted.  And these forty years ago, a new band was formed.

West Montrose would become Skydiggers. 

Skydiggers would become the stuff of legend. 

When Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize first made music, the songs on West Montrose were the songs they played - the songs where they found that their voices merged.

Songs that became something bigger when they sang them together.

Now with Maize and Finlayson celebrating 40 years as musical partners, the album West Montrose is an opportunity for Skydiggers to revisit the songs that became their foundation. 

In this episode, Josh and Andy discuss Side A of West Montrose - the album, and that moment in time that changed it all.

West Montrose is available everywhere on June 5, 2026. Listen here. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

From the Skydiggers universe comes a new project.

Inspired by their setting on Prince Edward Island and inspired by the world events of the day,  Andy Maize and Skydiggers guitarist Aaron Comeau have created a new collection of songs that is both ambitious and contemplative.  Songs that rouse the spirit and house moments of melancholy and peace.

They are Captains of Everything. The album is Avast and Belay!

Even with its' fiery nautical title, Avast and Belay is not so much a project about the sea, but about the infinite possibilities that the canvas of the sea provides.

With all songs written together by Maize and Comeau, and with all instruments performed by Comeau, Avast and Belay becomes a document of the rare magic that an environment of true collaboration and trust can create.

When these two unique musical voices merge, a new sound is made.

Special Edition Avast and Belay 12" vinyl + 30-page booklet: available on Bandcamp

All the music in this episode is from Avast and Belay, by Captains of Everything. Available wherever you enjoy music. 

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"There's a certain level where Josh and I are the bosses, but musically, we're all equal." - Andy Maize

Andy 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 Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"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 Webb

The 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 Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"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 Brady

A 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 Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"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 Johnston

20 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 Channel

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"In Skydiggers, I can really be myself...there's a lot of trust" — Aaron Comeau

Guitarist 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 Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

"I'm so lucky. It's like a fever dream sometimes." — Jessy Bell Smith 

Singer-songwriter Jessy Bell Smith is ever grateful, and continually in awe of being a Skydigger. In this interview, Jessy's love and respect for her bandmates, her gratitude for the music, and her deep dedication to the songs comes shining through. 

For almost 20 years, Jessy has been gracing the Skydiggers lineup, adding feminine warmth, spirit, and soul to the well-honed roots rock foundations of the band. Jessy's presence is joyful and compelling; her voice is dynamic and rich. Since 2009 (or so), she has sung and danced her way into the hearts of Skydiggers fans everywhere.

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)
"Ramblin' On (feat. Jessy Bell Smith)" - Skydiggers (She Comes into the Room, 2013)
"Hide Your Light" - Skydiggers (Hide Your Light, 2023)
"Constant Love" - Richard Laviolette (All Wild Things Are Shy, 2024)
"Je T'aime Toujours, Mon Amour" - Skydiggers (Bide Your Time, 2023)

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely

In this special episode, you'll hear from all the current members of this beloved Canadian roots rock ensemble. In order of appearance, Andy Maize, Jessy Bell Smith, Noel Webb, Josh Finlayson, Derrick Brady, Aaron Comeau and Michael Johnston offer thoughts, highlights, and fond remembrances of the annual Skydiggers Christmas Show - a much-celebrated seasonal highlight in Toronto, Ontario.

The tradition continues! - the next Skydiggers' Christmas show is Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 at The Danforth Music Hall. Tickets available here.

This episode was recorded in October, 2024 at The Tragically Hip's Bathouse Studio, during the Skydiggers' recording session for their next studio album.

Songs used in this episode:
“Good King Wenceslas” (Trad.) - Skydiggers, Angels (2014)
“Barbara Allan” (Trad.) - A Christmas Carol, 1951
“Christmas in Prison” (John Prine) - Skydiggers, Angels (2014)
“The Holly and the Ivy” (Trad.) - Skydiggers, Angels (2014)
“2000 Miles” (Chrissie Hynde) - Skydiggers, Angels (2014)
“Remember Me” (Finlayson/Maize) - Skydiggers, Angels (2014)
“Church Bells Ringing (Christmas in the City)” (Charlie Angus) - Skydiggers, Angels (2014)
“Fairytale of New York” (Finer/MacGowan) - performed by Jim Cuddy and Skydiggers at the Skydiggers’ Xmas show (Danforth Music Hall, 2023). Filmed and posted on Youtube by ShakyShorty.
“Start Again” (Norman Blake) - Teenage Fanclub (Songs from Northern Britain, 1997)

And if you're looking for more seasonal fun, check out Andy Maize's priceless "Santa Claus Parade" story in Episode 11!

Stream, download, and follow Skydiggers

Employee of the Myth is brought to you by Skydiggers Productions
Featuring: Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson
Producer & co-host: Joel Stewart
Host and Editor: Jane Gowan (Music Buddy)
Audio Engineer: Tim Vesely