Zach Marshak
On Thursday, April 11th, I had the pleasure of Interviewing brothers Dana and Alden McWayne of the Jazz-focused duo, Dana and Alden. Hailing from Eugene, Oregon, the brothers grew up playing in jazz bands since middle school. Their music is inspired by various genres, from classic jazz to modern abstract jazz to hip hop and even indie rock. Through this, they created their own unique sound, and, alongside artists like Laufey, are contributing to a new wave of jazz’s popularity amongst younger audiences.
Alden, a recent Berklee College of Music grad, is also known for his presence on TikTok, where he goes by the username Gucci Pineapple. Alden has amassed over 800,000 followers and counting on the platform, creating music and wholesome comedic content. This large social media presence has helped the duo grow their following among younger Gen-Z listeners while also introducing fans to jazz as a genre.
In the summer of 2023, Dana and Alden released their debut album, Quiet Music for Young People, which includes some of their two biggest hits (so far!): “Dragonfly” and “Let’s Go to Trader Joe’s. They just announced their sophomore album Coyote You’re My Star, which is slated to be released later this year. Stay on the lookout for what comes next from these rising jazz innovators!
Dana and Alden’s latest single, “Coyote, You’re My Star” is streaming now, check it out!
