Duane Carleton is the newest voice of
rural America. His songs capture the essence of working class life.
Whether he is describing the everyday people of small town America and
their relationships or the struggles that they encounter in their
day-to-day lives, he conveys the beauty and tragedy of a disappearing
lifestyle. His music falls into the Americana style. He paints a vast and
colorful landscape with his songwriting as he covers the spectrum from
poetic ballads, to upbeat rockers, to political story songs that could be
aptly described as the offspring of Steve Earle and The Rolling Stones.
Duane was born, raised and continues to
reside in rural New England and his upbringing is evident in his work
ethic. He currently plays 250 - 300 dates a year, has released 14 albums
as well as 1 DVD. His last cd entitled "Once Lost, Then Torn Down" on
the Higher Road Records label received a Tammie Award for "Best VT
Rock Album 2007". He just released the follow up CD "American
Boy" which contains guest appearances by Garth Hudson (The Band),
Meshell Ndegeocello (Meshell Ndergeocello, John Mellencamp, David Bowie)
and Joseph Wooten (Joseph Wooten, The Steve Miller Band, The Victor Wooten
Band). He has also appeared as a guest on no less than 15
other cd’s by artists as varied as, Bicycle Mary, John Erlandson, and
Laura Molinelli. He has opened shows and played with such luminaries as
Rick Danko of The Band, Steve Miller, ZZ Top, Gov’t Mule, Don McLean, Bret
Michaels, Eddie Money, Loverboy, The Fixx, Jimmy LaFave and Steve Forbert
to name just a few.
In
addition, he has had songs placed in films such as the HBO documentary,
“Dirty Driving-Thunder Cars of Indiana”, the Edgewood Entertainment
horror film, “Arachnia” which has been aired on the Starz Edge,
Encore, and Encore Action channels, and the snowboard video, “Pipe
Dreams”. Most recently, his song, “Long Way Down” appeared on
episode three of the FX Network show, “Justified”. He has also had
songs used in ads for Killington Ski Resort, Taylor’s Clear River
Tavern, and Advance Music Center.
"Songs like "Small Town Heroes" and "The True
American" are driven by Carleton’s fine guitar work and singing. It’s
easy to laugh at some of the rock and roll bands making hit records these
days, but hearing rootsy rock done this well should make you feel a little
better." – Vintage Guitar Magazine -
"What really makes the album stand out, however, is Carleton’s
honest and skillful songwriting. He’s got a keen ability to create songs
that linger in your memory long after the disc has stopped spinning. And
that’s what makes "Once Lost, Then Torn Down" more enjoyable
with each listen." – Seven Days -
"With so many rock ‘n’ roll albums a wasteland of unresolved
teenage angst, high-decibel electronic noise, undecipherable babblings
from mock poets or otherwise poorly conceived and badly produced wannabe
music, Duane Carleton’s "Once Lost, Then Torn Down" stands out
as an oasis of highly listenable music in a desert of creativity."
– The Times Argus -
"In this day of multi mix styles, it’s nice to hear something
real that’s well composed." – Vermont Review -
" ‘Leaving Despair’ by Duane Carleton is probably the most
beautiful, honest album I have ever listened to. He really captures life
in semi-rural Vermont. With all the crap you can hear on the radio today
it is refreshing to hear someone sing from their heart." – Vermont
Woman –
Drquazar
Ltd
