FEATURED ARTIST 6/22/08- DANA ALEXANDRA

DANA ALEXANDRA: THIS GIRL IS FIERCE!

Lindsay Van Osten

To say that I am excited about this weeks featured artist is an extreme understatement.  I have been anticipating showcasing this ray of sunshine ever since I first heard her several months ago; before the RED BANANA even existed.  The sounds of Dana Alexandra are as refreshing as the tallest glass of cold lemonade on the hottest of summer days.  Her record, Fashionably Late, has quickly become one of my all-time favorites.  (This is not to be taken lightly, as I assure you, my ears get around!)  It is booming with lyrical sass and wit, and melodies to sate any musical appetite.  This small town native is an extremely intelligent musician with much to say, and the flawless ability to say it.  Her music is an undeniable outpouring of her entire self, but unlike many singer-songwriters, Dana is able to expose this without dragging us down into a somber state.  

I can not remember the last time I was presented with an album that held my attention completely, throughout its entirety.  This record is a full blown party!  It's fun, and it's exciting!  There are records we all know and love, but whenever we put them in, we instinctively skip to our favorite tracks.  This album is different.  Every time I start it, I find myself getting sucked in and listening to the whole thing.  There are no weak tracks, making it impossible to choose a favorite!  

The day I received the record in the mail, it immediately sought out a home in my car stereo, and has not been evicted since.  It has effectively made my commutes to work and school the highlight of my day.  All of my fellow road-dwellers have become accustomed to the sweet sounds of Dana Alexandra (trust me, I belt it out like I own the road), and as I've glanced over through my rolled down window, all that has greeted me is smiles!  How rare a sight during rush hour!  Behold, the power of Dana Alexandra!

Let's take a moment and talk about what can be found on this recorded gem, shall we?  The 9 tracks of this record are absolutely infectious.  It is filled with very innocent and childlike qualities, while incorporating a clear sense of growing personal maturity-- a much needed reiteration of the necessity of playfulness in our everyday lives, amidst all the drama and hardships.  Here is a brief look at what is included:

Track 1.  "Swallow":  Catchy, catchy, catchy!  This is the perfect start to the perfect record!  It incorporates a sing-a-long quality, without dumbing down the greatness of the tune!  After this track, I guarantee you'll be hooked.

Track 2.  "Show and Tell":  This song has the best chorus on the record.  It will have anyone and everyone singing and swaying along!  It is impossible to resist belting out, "I FEEL FINE!"  (Trust me, you will!)

Track 3.  "Hand Me Down":  Everyone loves a good hum, and this song gives us just that from the very beginning!  Thank you for yet ANOTHER feel-good song!

Track 4.  "Jenny's Song":  I refuse to sway from my original statement that favorites are impossible on this record, but I really love this song.  It shows a gentler side of Dana Alexandra, and the heart-warming quality of her voice makes the song even more beautiful and relatable.   

Track 5.  "Feels Like Home":  This song is so fabulous that it was recently featured on NYC's Saturday night program, Fearless Music Television!  For more on this program, click here. Here it is for you to enjoy:

Track 6.  "Don't":  This is a wonderful laid-back tune, that will leave you completely relaxed and satisfied.  Its peacefulness is sure to leave you with an un-erasable smile on your face.

Track 7.  "Pickpocket":  "or maybe Korean...I'm not really sure what you were..."  Just when you think your listening experience could not possibly get any better, Dana Alexandra decides to shake things up even more with this brazen (in the absolute best way!) tune.  THIS TRACK IS HILARIOUS.  Everyone I have played it for has completely lost it with laughter.  If you've ever been pickpocketed, or had something stolen from you, you will definitely be able to identify with this song.  Dana takes us along for a very authentic reactionary ride after being pickpocketed.  The build up, the process, the aftermath--- it's all there.  Aside from the humour, the harmonies are delicious!  Listen, and love it.

Track 8.  "D Train":  This is the perfect follow-up to "Pickpocket".  It takes the listener to a much more introspective place, and we can feel the tender desperation in Dana's voice as she begs, "Darling, don't you leave me out."  (Please don't!  She's lovely!)

Track 9.  "Rock Paper Scissors":  A favorite of many, this is a fantastic send off for the listener.  Beginning with the title, this song embraces the childlike feel of the record, and applies it eloquently to the life of someone finding their way into adulthood.  There is a very home-made feel about it, provoked in part by the slow harmonica, in which we can find comfort.  When the track ends, we are left in happy silence...until we press play and begin all over again.

There is something unmistakably liberating about music that demands interaction, and Dana's will definitely not fail you!  If summertime could be captured in sound, this would be it.  Please check out her MySpace, where you can hear more of the goodness I have spoke of!

Dana has several upcoming shows, so I encourage you all to go out and experience her live!  We will be covering Sunday's (6/29) show at Spike Hill in NYC, so come out and join in the merriment!  The amount of feedback in just the day that she has been featured on our MySpace has been overwhelming, and I'm very excited to finally catch her live.  Coverage of the show, and an interview with this lovely diva, should be up soon after!

Here's a taste of a live show.  Dana's playing her fabulous "Show and Tell":

Here are her upcoming show dates to work into your calendars:

June, 27 2008 09:00 PM - The Duplex
61 christopher street (and 7th ave), manhattan, New York - 12 dollars

with the beautiful Aileen Morgan!!!

June, 29 2008 08:00 PM - Spike Hill Pub
186 bedford ave, Williamsburg Brooklyn, - free
with the courtney janes and more tba!

July, 11 2008 07:00 PM - Sparky and Clarks (market street one)
York, Pennsylvania - free but we work for tips!

July, 12 2008 09:00 PM - Pete’s Candy Store
709 lorimer street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York 11211 - ?

July, 17 2008 08:00 PM - Milkboy Coffee (Bryn Mawr) Acoustic Cafe

824 west lancaster ave, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010 - free
with Bob Carlton and Alec Stewart.

July, 19 2008 08:00 PM - the Harp and Fiddle
York, Pennsylvania
with the kenton Shelly Band!

July, 21 2008 08:00 PM - Symphonics Live @ The Blue Note!!
131 W. 3rd st, Manhattan, New York 10012 - 10

July, 21 2008 10:30 PM - Symphonics Live @ The Blue Note!!
131 W. 3rd st, manhattan, New York 10012 - 10

August, 15 2008 11:30 AM - SPLASH! lunchtime summer series
the Boat Basin at Foundry Park on Grant St., York, Pennsylvania - free
SPLASH! lunchtime summer series 11:30-1:30 http://www.downtownyorkpa.com/index.html

August, 27 2008 08:00 PM - The Bitter End

147 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and LaGuardia), Manhattan, New York 10012 - $5

August, 29 2008 07:00 PM - The Crimson Frog
1104 Carlisle Rd, Camp HIll, Pennsylvania 17011 - free

more info TBA!

Dana Alexandra...the MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/danaalexandraa

FEATURED ARTIST 6/22/08- DANA ALEXANDRA