Interview: Duane Harden
You don't know him like we do!

Duane Harden is the vocalist who features on Armand van Helden's number one smash hit "You Don't Know Me", and is also featured on Powerhouse's song "What You Need" scheduled for release on 10th May.

Duane, 27 years old, has his own production company, Modu Productions, with his friend Moises Modisto. It was formed back in October 1997 while Duane was still studying at Boston University. At about this time he also set up his own recording studios, Cat in Da Bag, where he has spent a lot of time recording and writing songs. In '99 expect to see more material released from Modu Productions including pop, R&B and banging dance tunes.

Ever since 8th grade Duane has been interested in computers. It was his brother Cedric, once described as having a voice of an angel, who was into music in a big way and dreamt of being an entertainer. This was unfortunately cut short by his death. Duane then decided to live out his brothers dream through himself. He wanted to record a beautiful ballad written by Cedric and decided to put the studio together.

Now Duane is living that dream with the huge hit, and his next single is also being tipped by music insiders as another huge hit. EMI publishing (UK) obviously have the faith in him as he has just been signed to their label.

UKMIX was lucky enough to grab hold of Duane during his busy schedule and interview him.

How did the single with Armand van Helden, You don't know me, come about?

Armand and I had been friends since he was DJing at the Loft in Boston when I was a student at Boston University. He has always thought I was a great singer. He had only heard me in the clubs singing chants to records that he played. I was just a club kid screaming on the dance floor.

When he was working on the :2 Future 4U" project he wanted me to do a track. After two nights of mediocre material, the third night after the work "You Don't Know Me" was born. Armand sampled a couple of tracks and made a loop, walked away and I wrote the lyrics and then sung the song, all in his living room.

Did you ever imagine it would sell so well?

No. Neither Armand or I had any idea that so many people would like and understand the song. I'm very surprised, and pleased at the same time.

And you have appeared on Top Of The Pops, what was that like?

That was kind of difficult for me, it was my 5th time ever performing in my life and I had the worst cold. In addition, it wasn't like a club as I expected. It was a TV studio and I wasn't used to that vibe, but everyone said I pulled it off.

Obviously much more in demand following the single, what's your PA schedule looking like over the next few months? Any regular nights we can see you?

Now that's a tough question. My schedule is absolutely insane. Having a #1 UK single means everyone wants to see you sing it, and boy that is true. Just check out my ever changing and rigorous schedule.

Tell us about the new single... It's already tipped for a high position in the charts. When is the release date?

Powerhouse feat. Duane Harden "What You Need" single is due for release on 10th May. Lenny Fontana made the music and just like "You Don't Know Me" I wrote and sung the song. Its basically a cry out for love saying "I Got What You Need" right here. It's in me. You don't have to look any further or try anyone else. "What You Need" is starring you right in the face.

The track is already on all the major radio stations' "A" playlists and the video is expected to be well received by MTV and The Box.

Who do you want to work with in the future? Who is your major inspiration?

I want to work with everybody. I don't have any particular requirements, except that the person just loves making good music. I don't care if that person is known in the industry or not, because as the English say, at the end of the day its all about good music, not the name behind it.

My inspirations... that's tough. I don't really look up to any one particular person. I must say that life in itself is my inspiration. My songs are based on real life experiences that I've experienced personally or have identified with through experiences of my friends. So that's where my inspirations come from.

Who would you consider to be among the best producers to work with?

Boy you are asking tough questions. The problem is I'm just a regular club kid. I don't know the artist, producer or labels to the tracks that I dance to. But if a producer sends in a tape and the material is good I'll work with him/her. To me in the music there are no "best" producers. They all have hits and misses when it comes to making records. That's just part of being human.

Is there anyone you would like to do a remix for?

Yes. Me. I don't want to sound conceited but when I work on a track I give it my all. And the purpose of a remix is to take the track to another level. That would mean being even more creative than what I originally relinquished to the track... improving it that much more. Now there's a real self-challenge.

What are your plans for the future?

Well basically those are all decided by the record label. The next track to come out will be another 'featuring' project. Then the first "Duane Harden" single will be released in September. With an album to follow if things go well.

Did you learn anything from Armand van Helden?

Yeah. I wrote and recorded the vocal in one night and it was after a rather exhausting day at work. So in my opinion I thought my vocal performance was awful. However the Grammy Award Nominee Armand van Helden thought the vocal in its raw form with all its imperfections added character to the track. I learned from him that perfection does not necessarily equate to quality, and that going with gut feelings and first impressions are normally the best ingredient for success.

What are your favourite songs at the moment?

New Radicals "You Get What You Give", Phats & Smalls "Turn Around", Charlotte "Skin" and George Michael feat. Mary J Blige "As".

Obviously you have been travelling around the world. What are the best places you have visited?

Well I don't really get to see much when I get to a new city. The routine is normally from airport to hotel, get a few hours sleep, perform, and then off to the next place or back to the hotel for more sleep. But I must say driving around Florence, Italy by far looked the most interesting place to visit to me.

UKMIX would like to thank Duane Harden for this interview. The questions were asked by Andy Lamb and Lee Knowles.

Source: UKMIX - May '99 Features
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As soon as You Don't Know Me by Armand Van Helden featuring Duane Harden came out it was obvious that a new direction in dance music had been forged.  The track fused together the best elements of dance - clattering breakbeats, Stardust references, filtered disco samples and garage elements - to create a song that was dirty, sexy disco music for the late nineties. 

You Don't Know Me stormed in at number one and it was clear Duane and Armand had a monster on their hands. 

Many people took You Don't Know Me to be Van Helden's creation.  In fact, Duane wrote the whole tune - and, at times, felt short changed at the lack of credit he received: "When the record came out I was not very happy with the coverage I was getting...I don't get mad anymore because that is how the music industry is.  Armand is the big name and this is my first vocal.  I don't blame Armand as he tries to do everything to make sure I get the proper credit."

Duane first met Armand way back in 1989 when Duane was a student at Boston University.    Armand used to DJ at the Loft club where Duane would sweat it out on the dance floor.

"I was just a club kid screaming and dancing to the good tracks he would play.   Well he came up to me one night to meet me because he said he had to meet this crazy person on the dance floor."

After graduating in 1995 Duane moved to New York City where he started a job at UPS using his computer skills - not as a parcel delivery boy as some people have rumoured.   At this time Armand had since started to make a name for himself as a DJ/producer and is credited as being one of the forefathers of UK speed garage with his remixes of Tori Amos, CJ Bolland and the Sneaker Pimps. Eventually, in March of last year Armand asked Duane to sing on one of the tracks for his new album. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since You Don't Know Me hit the big time, Duane's been over to the UK appearing at gigs up and down the country (from Top of the Pops to Ministry of Sound) and realised how much more in tune the UK is with dance than the US.

"The UK has a greater love and appreciation for dance music than what I see in the US.  I'll sing my songs, You Don't Know Me and What You Need, and the crowd are singing along with me.  Masses and masses of people enjoying the work that I've done - it's amazing."

As is obvious from his vocal style, Duane comes from a gospel background with the likes of Yolanda Adams, Daryl Coley and the Clark Sisters influencing his soaring vocal peaks.  Listen to Duane's latest performance on Powerhouse's What You Need and you can tell he's reached that vocal summit. 

What You Need - a Lenny Fontana production - caused a huge buzz at the Miami Winter Music Conference and has since been picked up by Defected records for release in the UK.  It's more than likely that we'll be seeing Duane strutting his stuff in the Top of the Pops studio again soon.

Visit Duane's website

Duane Harden's top five all time favourite dance tracks:

1.  Byron Stingly - Devotion & Peace of Heaven

2. Michael Watford - Holdin' On

3. Martha Wash - Carry On

4. Deborah Cooper - Pride

5. Melissa Morgan - Still In Love (Todd Terry mix)

Source: www.dotmusic.com - April '99 News
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Van Helden makes an Armand a leg

Our man Van Helden has reached the top spot with his single You Don't Know Me featuring Duane Harden.  Primarliy known for his mixing and DJ abilities, Van Helden topped the charts exactly two years ago with his radical reworking of Tori Amos' Professional Widow (It's Got To Be Big), and now he celebrates by returning to the pole position with You Don't Know Me. 

Duane Harden, the vocalist who appears on the standout track from Armand Van Helden's 2 Future 4 U EP, has been signed as an artist on a long term contract to Strictly Rhythm.

You Don't Know Me is the track from the EP on which Harden contributes his considerable vocal talents and is creating havoc in clubs up and down the country.

Look out for it over the festive season - think Stardust meets Jaydee with a nu-skool disco Van Helden twist (and breakbeats thrown in for good measure).

Harden's debut single for Strictly Rhythm, What You Need, is to be released early 1999.

Little known fact - Harden's former job was as a parcel van driver for UPS.

Source: www.dotmusic.com - December '98 News
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