U.S. Publicity:

Liz Lawson
Deus Ex Machina Publicity
liz [at] deusexmachinapr [dot com]
610.306.6823

European Publicity:

Peter Holmstedt
Hemifrån
peter.holmstedt [at] telia [dot com]
+46 (0)33.26.0210

Online:

Christina Duren
Ariel Publicity
christina [at] arielpublicity [dot com]

Radio—National:

Melissa Suther
Lucky Cat Radio Promotions
luckycatrp [at] gmail [dot com]

one sheet

©Jade McCully

©Imke Lass

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What folks are saying about Dare Dukes

Interview with Orlando Montoya on Georgia Public Broadcasting's Georgia Gazette, broadcast on 18 NPR stations across Georgia during evening drive-time:

—March 13, 2009

"Best of Savannah 2010—Acoustic Band.
'Idiosyncratic' best describes this California-born singer-songwriter, who divides his time between Savannah (his wife is here) and New York City (he has a job there). Dukes has an unparalleled melodic sense, a gift for heart-wrenching lyrics, and the ability to weave them together around quirky, unusual pop-folk arrangements that literally don't sound like anybody else."

—Connect Savannah, May 18, 2010

"There seems to be growing energy and optimism among independent musicians around town. We're witnessing the maturation of venues, a burst of creativity from performers with a wide range of styles, and more frequent visits from some topnotch regional and national acts. Dare Dukes has been one of the drivers behind these movements since settling in Savannah a few years ago. I find Dukes' music both cerebral and emotional—an intense combination.”

—Bill Dawers, Savannah Morning News, May 5, 2010

"Dare Dukes impresses me with original, creative, open minded rock with a touch of alternative folk and a nice underground sound. Must be bought!"

—Eelco Schilder, Folk World (Europe), March 2010

"Influenced by such varied personalities as the formidable Kurt Weill, throaty Tom Waits, and the post-punk Pixies, this young Californian has come onto the musical scene somewhere between folk, social-issue pop, and poetic rock with an album that’s rich—but way too short. In 30 minutes Dukes gives us a glimpse of a talent that seems limitless and leaves the listener hungry for more. Dukes' compositions are deeply reflective of a uniquely American life, where the sane and the crazy co-exist. His songs take advantage of a pleasingly disorienting musical richness (including strings and brass) and varied rhythms, accompanying an especially acid yet plaintive voice. Let’s hope that the next album will confirm this very positive first impression!"

—Le Cri du Coyote Magazine (France), February 2010

"Dare Dukes' latest album is a striking combination of chiming REM-esque alt.rock and minimalist acoustica. An aching exploration of modern Americana, Prettiest Transmitter of All is a stunning piece of work from the Savannah-based songsmith.

—R2 Magazine (United Kingdom), December 2009

"Best of 2008"

—Lithuim Radio, December 20, 2008
—Snob's Music Blog, December 5, 2008
—Wildy's World, December 25, 2008

"One of the best we've heard all year."

—Insomnia Radio, December 10, 2008

"Four stars...[Dukes'] melodies are hook-laden but intricate. If forced to choose between a major or minor chord, Dare always chooses the less obvious and more interesting latter...Like [Vic] Chestnutt, he shows a deep affinity for the strangeness and eccentricities in people. The people in Dukes' songs are not losers per se; they are just different, kind of like we all are. And Dukes loves them for that, which makes it very easy to in turn love Dukes."

—Al Kaufman, Atlanta Music Guide, December 10, 2008

"...an intimate-feeling guitar-led record with well-placed accessories, lyrical heft and finely-balanced melodies. Full of well-produced and air-worthy songs, it deserves wide attention."

—Orlando Montoya, Georgia Public Broadcasting, February 1, 2009

"...passionately sung, and loaded with inventive instrumental arrangements, surprising melodic twists, and multiple layers of wonderful, shimmery guitar work. And it rocks out, too. A joy to listen to."

—Dave Mandl, WFMU-FM DJ; Music Editor for The Brooklyn Rail

"...a wonderful new alt.rock CD....crunchy, earthy, sour-pop...a welcome blast of well-constructed, invigorating alt.rock. The record, which instantly evokes comparisons to Dukes’ acknowledged influences Sparklehorse and Will Oldham’s alter-ego Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (as well as contemporaries The Rosebuds and Deathray Davies), is a triumph of sparseness. Its blend of softly-strummed rhythm guitar, minimalist keyboards, chiming electric guitar leads, driving—but understated—drums and the occasional brass instrument cameo, also recalls the output of a handful of seminal 'college' artists of the ‘80s and ‘90s, like Barbara Manning and—at times—the softer and more wistful side of They Might Be Giants. It’s a real sleeper."

—Jim Reed, Connect Savannah (Savannah, GA), October 29, 2008

"...no less than stunning. The melodies are gorgeous, inventive, and emotionally resonant. The lyrics capture the surprising beauty in the most mundane—mostly suburban—environments. Dare has wisely kept the arrangements sparse and simple, nevertheless they sparkle. You’ll find yourself smiling but you won’t be sure just why. This is a play list you will listen to over and over again, finding fresh nuance with every listen."

—Lauren McLaughlin, Lauren McLaughlin Blog (New York, NY), November 11, 2008

"Dukes, performing solo, charmed the listeners gathered around the stage. His songs made me want to just sit back in the comfy sofas and drift into a sleepy bliss. His Savannah roots show in his attention to detail and dreamlike melodies. Mr. Dukes, I might add, had a very awesome hat."

—Jordan Stepp, Flagpole (Athens, GA), October 20, 2008

"...showcases Dare Dukes’ ability to craft multi-faceted, emotional pop songs. Think Sparklehorse, with great pop hooks that blossom and expand with repeated listenings. The tone is alternately upbeat, ironic, and quirky. The production is understated and reveals itself slowly. I found at least three of these songs rattling around in my head days after my initial introduction. I love this cd, and consider it to be a thirty-minute pop masterpiece."

—Shannon Burke, author of Black Flies