“We’re Not There Yet."
Nearly every day in 2020 during the pandemic, some public official or journalist would utter these words. I was becoming both annoyed and amused with its overuse, and well, you can turn anything into a song, right?
This phrase is also evocative and made me think about where I was, where I'd been.
When do we get "there"? Where is "there" anyway? Maybe it just might be someplace we'd rather not return at all.
I scratched out this this tune and joined some friends here in Chicago to do a live recording and did a video. It felt pretty good to shake off some of the cobwebs.
Here's to all of us coming out on the other side. Where ever that is.
"We're Not There Yet", single from EP, "Tastes Like Fire."
"Watching The Day Go By"
During the lockdown in 2020, I was pretty low on energy and inspiration. Most days, I was focused on what was going on with family and friends and trying to help others to hold on until we could get to a safer place. So, I sat in my backyard a lot listening to the birds, admiring a neighbor's treehouse, and just watching the day go by. Good enough.
This track has Don Stiernberg on mandolin and Brian Wilkie on acoustic and pedal steel guitars and vocals. They make everything shine.
"October"
A guitar-forward and lyrical album, featuring eight original songs in the folk tradition of personal journeys, conversations, dedications and contemporary themes.
Dana Maragos is a superb songwriter with an excellent turn of phrase … wrapped in metaphor and allegory…pure Americana … superbly produced given crystal clear sound which showcases Maragos’ voice … a pleasure to listen to. - Americana UK - Allen Fitter
Produced by Brian Wilkie, who contributes pedal steel textures and dynamic acoustic, electric and slide guitar work and vocals, with outstanding local artists, John Abbey, Gerald Dowd, Jackson Kidder, Justin Kramer, Laurence Nugent, John Rice and Alton Smith.
Buy CDs directly!
"Tastes Like Fire" (2021 EP) $5 + $2.85 shipping
"October" (2020 album) $10 + $2.85 shipping
"Dana"(2017 EP) $5 + 2.85 shipping
To purchase CDs or contact Dana, please complete the contact form below.
About
Earliest influences include her mother’s soaring soprano voice, and her grandmother buying a $25 guitar in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood when she was 6 years old; harmonizing with her sister, memorizing long, lyrical passages of the songs of Bob Dylan, Odetta, Joan Baez, and Eric Andersen.
Original songs blend old and new folk.
In 2017 she released a 3-song EP, Dana, and followed with an album, October, in 2020.
In 2021, she released Tastes Like Fire, an EP featuring 3 songs that carved into uncertainty with sharpness and honesty.
Dana is currently working on a new collection, called Unimaginable Things, due out later this year.
A south Chicago-born singer-songwriter, lives on the city’s north side, is married to George, and is a mom to Alex and Sam. Sunday church choir is a part of her regular practice and is a fan of the open mic scene. You're likely to catch her road-testing songs.
In May, 2021, during the pandemic, WLUW's Tom Jackson featured the song "We're Not There Yet" in a new releases show on November 6, 2021, "Tastes Like Fire" and "Watching the Day Go By" were featured on WDCB's "American Backroads", hosted by Greg Easterling.
Portrait by Stella Mavrides.
Photography: David Suarez, Steve Gubin, Roman Sobus and Alex Maragos
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