Bio

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Craving modern Folk music uniquely steeped in Irish and Canadian singer-songwriter traditions? Then dive into the world of Dandelion Highway formed in 2023 by musical duo Kayleigh McGavock and Chris Sytnyk.

Born and raised in Waterford, Ireland, McGavock is a soulful folk singer with a uniquely creative approach to the guitar. Sytnyk is a Canadian touring and session musician who has shared the stage and studio with some of Canada’s biggest musical acts. The two artists began collaborating after attending a concert for Irish singer CMAT together and realizing they shared a love for Irish Folk Songs, puppies and grapefruit tea. 

The duo has been perfecting their live show at Ontario venues and festivals such as the Sundown Sessions, Heritage Sounds and Buskerfest. This fall they will appear on CCMT TV Talent which will air nationally on City TV.

Dandelion Highway’s debut 5 song E.P. The Crossing was recorded with Canadian producer, musician and composer Ron Lopata (Jacksoul, Jully Black, Lindi Ortega) and is set to be released in early 2025. 

The Songs:

“Home” is the debut single that beautifully captures the traditional Celtic side of their sound. The lyrics were inspired by Kayleigh’s conflicting feelings about leaving Ireland to explore the multicultural vibrancy of Toronto, Canada. “I felt like I was losing myself, and was grappling with the excitement of what I could be and the guilt of leaving home,” she explains. The song is an uplifting celebration of choice.

The second single duet “We Are Gold” invites you to look back on past relationships with fondness. Chris, being an eternal optimist, was inspired by a chance meeting with an ex and the realization that it’s all good and everyone’s happy for each other.

“The Crossing” is a hopeful refrain for the homesick who fear the change that may come with distance and time. It’s a reminder that those that mean home to you will always be there, sure as the tide.

“Lullaby” was created in the first writing session the two had and was based on a poem Kayleigh wrote with her roommates during the long lonely days of the pandemic. The premise of the song is that life is a series of unpredictable moments. “If you’re lucky enough you can recognize the good moments and hold onto them for as long as you can and let the bad moments slip by,” Chris explains. “It’s also a song about courage and strength and embracing beauty and being thankful for every single moment life throws your way.

“Chroí Álainn” is in Gaelic and about the expectations/ rules that we put onto young people. “I was picturing my godson and it was kind of a wish that he could grow up and just fully be himself without too much outside influence,” says Kayleigh. “Be who you want to be, open and honest and that will be your greatest strength.” 

Background:

Sytnyk is known as the bassist for Canadian alt-rock band MAdE, alt-country group Driveway, and Scottish singer songwriter Andy Sharp. “I think what I like most about music over other art forms is how it can be both solitary and collaborative at the same time,” he shares. “A song idea may begin on your own but to see it to fruition it almost always requires input from other creative minds, be it producers, or other songwriters or musicians.”

The magic of Dandelion Highway comes from the merging of two very different life experiences. As a quintessential Canadian, Sytnyk grew up in Toronto playing hockey on a backyard ice rink, learning bass guitar and listening to The Tragically Hip. McGavock was raised in a small town in Ireland surrounded by Irish folk music and the eclectic music taste of her musician father.

“Music was always a huge part of communicating love and emotion for me,” she says. “When I was 8, I started playing guitar and that’s when music became about self-expression. It’s my therapy and how I process things, which is why I used to be hesitant to share my songs.”

With Dandelion Highway they share their love of the story telling aspect of folk and country music and the majestic beauty of an organic orchestral string arrangement.     

Quote on Producer Ron Lopata

“Three of the five songs on the Ep were not even written when we began working with Ron. The three of us together have had some of the most magical and inspiration music sessions I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of. Ron is a producer on another level and vibrates on a higher frequency then almost everyone one I’ve ever worked with before. We were also lucky enough to have him play on our tracks. Every note he plays is the right note at the right time and it is a joy and honour to be in the room with him and watch him work.” – Chris Sytnyk

Release Dates:  Home Oct 17th We are gold November 20thish The Crossing Jan 7th and the rest Feb 10th