Duane Eric Abner
Los Angeles
Duaniac/DjMe, better known as Duane Eric Abner, is a Los Angeles based photographer, songwriter and music producer. Writing music since the age of 10, he started with the acoustic guitar given to him by his dad for his birthday.
His mother gifted him with a Magnus electric organ for his following birthday. This was after six months of accordian lessons at The Milton Mann Studios. The eleven year old Duane could hardly sleep at night for hearing the sounds of music in his head.
It wasn't long before he began composing and recording himself playing and singing into two separate "condenser-mike" tape recorders; then playing or singing back and forth between the two, recording each time. It was the best way he could hear all the parts at once and learn what music could do, beginning a serious life-long-passion within him. He thanks BOTH of his parents for that.
From 1979 until 1984, Duaniac-DjMe was a member of a six man, one woman RnB/Pop band called, Ziphoid. They produced all of their own demos and were an integral part of his musical training in vocals, recording, producing, mixing, and for some time, performing in Los Angeles and Las Vegas night clubs.
Through the band, Duaniac-DjMe became associated with the great and respected drummer, James Gadson, who taught him the importance of being "in the pocket" and to let the metronome become a part of his musicality. It was a lesson well learned.
Gadson also trained Duaniac-DjMe in studio vocal technique, overdubbing, vocal harmonies and breathing excercises. He was also very key in getting him and his band ready to perform in the local clubs in L.A. and Vegas.
The band's demos caught the attention of Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Ralph Johnson (Let's Groove Tonight), and Gloria Jones of Motown fame, and co-writer of "If I Were Your Woman". They co-produced the band on several polished tracks.
After a few stops and starts, the band members went their own separate ways. Still, Duaniac-DjMe found himself continuing to write music, as well as learn about analog multi-track & digital recording techniques, playing keyboards and programming drums & percussion.
Duaniac-DjMe says...
"I love music period. In multiple genres. I'm an avid FILM buff and a big fan of old & new media technologies. I have an affinity for 1920s thru the 1990s American Music styles. Like the kind found in Hollywood movies of the times. Many of those rhythms are from Jazz/Blues/& RnB origins".
Duaniac/DjMe enjoys revisiting classic styles and "eras of sound". Particularly the jazzy mute trumpet of the 1930s, the classic soul 70s strings, 80s and 90s synth and bass fx and a whole gamut of drums and percussion.
These are largely instrumental tracks, and are tributes to what Duaniac/DjMe has absorbed from watching movies, listening to music (since 1965 when he was four years old) and from working with some amazing & inspiring musicians, vocalists and songwriters.
Stay tuned for the debut of "The Vocal Sessions" versions of many of the songs you hear on this page.
Duaniac-DjMe says...
"Enjoy the music, feel free to follow, comment or leave me a message here, or at (duaniac@outlook.com). ALL the best to you Artists out there (keep striving towards your goals). Don't forget your "daydreams". AND, To all you wonderful Listeners out there, I thank you very much for embracing my music so well.
Peace&Creativity/ -dea 7/20/12
Duaniac-DjMe’s tracks
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