Dana and Alden

Dana and Alden

Dana and Alden are a group led by brothers Dana and Alden McWayne, who work with a troupe of multi-instrumental artists to make music that combines jazz elements with indie sounds. The group is based around their unconventional upbringing in Eugene, Oregon, which informs much of their writing and aesthetic.

Background and members

The project centres on the McWayne brothers. Alden is the younger sibling and plays drums; he is also a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Dana is the older brother and plays saxophone. Outside the group, Dana works as an organic farm inspector in Durham, North Carolina.

Recording and style

Their debut album, Quiet Music for Young People, blends vintage influences with the experience of living in Generation Z and the digital age. The record also draws on childhood memories, including summers spent working at an apple orchard and playing in jazz clubs on rainy Oregon nights. Their sound is described through jazz, indie, jazz fusion and neo-soul influences.