"I just wanted to amp it up," says Dana Beeler. "I was tired of being nice." Beeler is referring to a recent shift from her country and bluegrass beginnings to an edgier sound. Beeler's roots are country-fried, having played bluegrass with her family and releasing the twangy debut full-length The Long Goodbye in 2012. But this year she's working on a new album, due out in 2015, featuring production by Daniel Ledwell. Two thousand fourteen's to-do list is focusing primarily on writing songs–both solo and in collaboration. "Basically if an idea comes to me I'll jot it down," says Beeler. "I do a bit of co-writing as well, that helps with expanding ideas for sure." She cites Gordie Sampson's songwriting camp as a great resource and source of inspiration from musicians like Mo Kenney, Carleton Stone and pal Barbara Cameron. "We get together and work it out," says Beeler. "She's a great friend of mine."
Her upcoming IDOW spot has a few firsts: opening for Kathleen Edwards, and playing for the first time with a full band–Floodland bassist Lauchie Headrick and drummer Matt Thauvette from Young River, The Chronos Band, Adam Baldwin Band, Mo Kenney, Heather Green and apparently everyone ever. "It's more upbeat," Beeler says–upbeat with an overcast lining, that is. "I think just by the way a lot of the songs I've written have been going, it's a little darker and more edgy," she says. "I'm moving away from the very country feel and more into alt-country, it's darker both musically and lyrically."
No need to be shy this weekend. "I haven't scared anyone off so far," Beeler says, laughing.
