Dana Austin

Dana Austin's musical catalog comprises high-energy rock, show tunes, secular hymns, jazz, folksy ballads, country, comedy, children's music, and blues, as well as some stuff he's not sure how to categorize. Though it keeps him energized, writing in many different musical styles can have its drawbacks. One producer asked, having listened to Dana's first seven-song demo some years back, "So...what kind of music does he do?"

Fair question!

Whether nonchalant or dark, slapstick or introspective, his music does have a unifying theme: relationships between people. Lovers, parents and children (a not-unusual result of the former), fellow travelers, friends (ditto). Relationships with all their warts. Categorizing much of his work as "fractured love songs," he examines the quirks and flaws inherent in human emotional connection, whether glaring or deeply internalized, while paying close attention to the sampling rate of the story line. Sometimes compressing decades into essential, three-minute synopses, sometimes expanding defining moments into expositions of weakness, strength, or dnouement, his even narrative and lyrical enunciation distinguish his work.

Having published poetry in refereed journals, and having earned an undergraduate degree in writing, Dana has solid credentials as a lyricist. He began performing professionally during his college years, principally because he looks silly in paper hats and brightly colored smocks. After graduating, he continued to earn his living (and feed his family) by playing clubs, bars, and resorts in northeastern and central Pennsylvania for thousands and thousands of on-stage hours.

The careful listener will appreciate the innovation and energy of translucent musical asymmetry and clandestine free verse invigorating generally conventional forms. More than anything, of course, folks should just sit back and enjoy this very approachable music.