Press
“(From his Best CDs of 2010:) Here I’m cheating a bit: The Evergreen EP came out in 2009. But singer-songwriter Dana Wells is so talented, I want to include her in this selection. Dana may be young — just out of her teens — but this is no Taylor Swift. … Wells is an engaging singer; one wants to get to know her. Her voice and delivery are very appealing, reminiscent of the lovely Mindy Smith. … It’s not easy for singer-songwriters to break through, but with her talent and beauty, Dana Wells might just be one who will make it big.” - Any Major Dude With Half A Heart, Sept. 8, 2010
“The principle element of this song is the voice of 19-year-old Dana Wells. It’s tempting to run the whole “young singer/old soul” bit here, but one of the best things about Wells’s vocal performance is the spirit of youth inherent in both timbre and melody of the vocal. Her voice refreshing and sweet as, well, an evergreen, Wells might possibly bewitch you, or at least make you want to go outside and feel some of what she’s singing about.” - Boston Band Crush, “Evergreen” song crush, April 29, 2010
“Though still impossibly young at 19 she displays a musical finesse and lyrical fortitude … Blessed with a supple set of pipes that locates a midway point between Juliana Hatfield and Sarah McLachlan and an accomplished delivery to go with the pipes, Wells … delivers an even-handed blend of classic-tilting pop and sleek Americana that’s impressive indeed.”
“(The) lusher, elegant “Into Air,” a piano- and violin-powered waltztime number (is) destined to find its way onto a TV show (are you listening, Grey’s Anatomy?). … Yet the stealth gem, for my money, is “We Come Undone,” on the surface a sunny, bouncy slice of New Wave-flavored pop boasting a chorus that sinks its hooks so deep you’ll be humming it in your sleep, yet with a distinctively dark narrative line … It’s a wise-beyond-her-years moment, and utterly memorable.”
“If there’s any justice, when the Lilith Fair tour hits Washington in August Wells will be one of the featured local performers. Come to think of it - she oughta be ranked among the national performers. Her sound’s that big and bold and beautiful.”
- Fred Mills, BLURT online, April 27, 2010
“Dana Wells has a voice that’s clear and sweet with just a hint of amber; shaded but not dark or desolate.”
“Wells shows herself to be a serious songwriter with a gentle delivery that’s eminently pleasing to the ear. … Wells sings with her heart; showing an ability to commit to a song fully and in the moment without over-performing.”
“‘Watching Winter Melt Away’ (is) a virtuosic songwriting endeavor … the sort of song that other artists hear over time and cover because the song is so compelling and well written it needs to be heard.”
“If you saw Dana Wells busking on a corner somewhere you’d keep throwing money in her case all day so she wouldn’t stop. Add to this a songwriting talent that quickly paces the bulk of her contemporaries and shows the potential to someday be discussed in awed tones … This is talent that’s meant to shine, and Dana Wells has made an excellent start of it on The Evergreen EP. Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)”
- Wildy’s World Blogspot, April 2010
“A terrific talent.” - Jim Monaghan, WDHA-FM, January 2010
“Listen with your eyes closed and you’d swear local singer-songwriter Dana Wells couldn’t possibly be only 19. There’s a settled maturity to the lyrics and tempered voice of this strummy smartie that’s usually reserved for older artists.” - Washington Post Express, Weekend Pass, Dec. 24, 2009.
“Dana Wells was just excellent. Her stuff was very polished, and her melodies were interesting and unique. I started listening closely to her lyrics about halfway through her set, and there was something subtle and emotional about them. She reminds me a bit of Suzanne Vega as far as composition goes.” - D.C.-area singer-songwriter Scott Malyszka, July 2009
“She’s coming into her own quite phenomenally as an acoustic singer-songwriter. … I could say that her songs are great considering her age, but the age disclaimer isn’t even necessary. These songs are good. End of story. … Her vocals are amazing and I think she’s headed to big places - we’ll be hearing more from her for a lot of years to come, of that I am sure.” - asongfortheday.blogspot.com, June 2009
