Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Kelson.
Dana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a singer, songwriter, and model. Although I appreciate the fashion industry, I consider modeling more of a day job and music as my passion. I started singing when I was 3 yrs. old for anyone who would listen, performed at bars and jazz clubs in high school and later, with my band at local venues around Atlanta such as The Hard Rock Cafe, Center Stage, Smiths Olde Bar, and the 40 Watt. I now work with various producers in Atl, LA, and Europe as a songwriter and vocalist. I’m also launching a #GoodAcousticsTour on my Instagram for the summer, where I’ll be performing around Atlanta in random spots with good acoustics (apartment stairwells, elevators, bathrooms, hallways, etc.).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The music industry is like a big ocean where everyone is trying their hardest not to drown. The biggest struggle for me has been learning to ride the waves because nothing is a sure thing in the music industry. It’s important to not let rejection or success get in the way of your creativity, but that’s a lot easier said than done. Music is subjective, there’s not really a right or wrong, so I’ve learned some people will love you and your music, while others will hate it. It’s taken me a while to find a balance between learning from feedback and not letting the negative comments take me down.
what should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a songwriter, I think my lyrical concepts set me apart from other writers. I love analogies, and I use them to articulate feelings and emotions in my songs in a way that listeners can easily remember. I wrote the latest single for a Dutch artist named Glennis Grace. The chorus goes:
“We’d have better luck trying to walk on water
then acting like we don’t want each other
So, we can be just friends and not fall back in
But we’d have better luck trying to walk on water”
When I wrote this song, I was struggling to get over someone, and I related that feeling to “trying to walk on water”. This creates a visual picture for listeners so they can relate to the song.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Meet as many people as possible! I’ve learned so much even just from random tidbits that people in the industry have said to me. Also, be supportive of the people you meet. The music industry is very competitive, but cheering on others doesn’t take anything away from you or your career. Go watch other people perform, cowrite, and promote music that’s not your own!
Contact Info:
- Email: danakelson@gmail.com
- Instagram: @danakelsonmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/danakelsonmusic
Image Credit:
Heather Fulbright, Kevin Eassa, Madison Hoke, Michael Kopanski & graphics by Jacob Blazer
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