Tag: Dana Gehrman

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dana Gehrman Delights With “Let It Be You”

If you’re one of those old-school music fans who complain that all the best stuff is behind us, Dana Gehrman’s new single “Let It Be You” might just change your tune. Her sound is a total throwback to the 70s, in the best possible way. This song sounds like an instant classic, soulful, sultry, and incredibly smooth.

Dana has just wrapped up a string of cool shows including playing support for Charlie Musselwhite and gracing the Dashville Festival stage. While she’s taking some downtime for now, I can’t imagine she’ll be off the road for too long. Until then, make sure you give this song a spin.

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Down in Hollywood” – Dana Gehrman

I must admit, I approached Dana Gehrman’s new album Down in Hollywood with a little trepidation. I wasn’t very familiar with this Meeanjin/Brisbane-based blues-rock artist, and I’m ashamed to admit I’m not across the music from Little Feat, whose songs she covers on this release. I thought I’d feel like a fish out of water listening, but I have a policy of playing everything that lands in my inbox. I’m so glad I did. While I expected to feel out of my element, Down in Hollywood is one of the most accessible and enjoyable albums I’ve heard in some time.

This album has a beautiful nostalgia about it, even if you don’t know the source material. And Dana’s voice is so warm and welcoming, the marriage is heavenly. She wraps her vocals around these songs with gusto. All too often there’s a disconnect when people sing covers, because they didn’t write the material, but you can hear how much these songs matter to Dana.

“I grew up with Little Feat, emanating from vintage Tannoy speakers in cabinets larger than life. These songs are so engrained in me; when we play them, they feel as much a part of me as my own songs,” Dana added. “I don’t believe you could ever make their songs better; these are just my humble interpretations of songs I truly love.”

After listening to Down in Hollywood, I’m inspired to listen to Little Feat’s originals, but not just yet. For now, I’m happy to sit with Dana’s fabulous interpretations and celebrate them as standalone works before I make inevitable comparisons. Dana will launch Down in Hollywood with these shows along the East Coast next month:

1 October 2023 – Caloundra Music Festival, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Caloundra
5 October 2023 – The Beach Hotel, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
6 October 2023 – The Citadel, Kalibai Country/Murwillumbah
7 October 2023 – Tom Atkin Hall, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
13 October 2023 – St Bernard Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Mt Tamborine
14 October 2023 – Felons Barrel Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Find a Way” – Dana Gehrman

Brisbane’s Dana Gehrman creates the sort of music we don’t hear enough of these days. She has a cool bluesy sound that veers into rock, country, soul, and Americana. It’s perfectly punctuated with Hammond organs and slide and pedal steel guitars. And then there is that voice, so commanding with a sultry ease you instantly warm to. I hadn’t heard of her before listening to her debut album Find a Way, which is out today, but I’m an instant fan.

The album’s opener “Hands Tied” is the perfect introduction to her sound. It goes down so easily, but there’s a definite edge to the message. “24 Karat Rocker” could easily have come from Tom Petty’s catalogue. It’s perfect road trip music, with a vintage 70s sound that evokes rich nostalgia.
The album is mostly a party full of solid blues-rock numbers, but Dana shows her sensitive side in the title track “Find a Way.” It’s the album’s most poignant moment, a romantic track that shows she’s not all sass and strength. It’s not too long before she shakes off that vulnerability and is back grooving with us again though. Deep swampy cuts like “Howling Wolves” and “Grasshopper Creek” will please blues purists. A reprise of “Remedy” seems a little tacked on, especially after the powerful “Rogue Train (Rattle on By),” but it’s a good reminder than Dana’s music is really all about having fun.

Dana Gehrman feels like Australia’s answer to Sheryl Crow, an immense talent with an ability to effortlessly cross genres. Find a Way is an impressive debut from this superb Queenslander. She’ll bring its songs to music lovers at the following shows.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

26-28 July 2019 – Echuca Blues Festival, Echuca
10 August 2019 – Phase 4 Records instore, Brisbane
17 August 2019 – Imperial Hotel, Eumundi
6 September 2019 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane