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Duraes' new CD "Ebb and Flow" will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Duraes recently had a release party at the Peekskill Coffeehouse where he regularly performs.
The album was recorded over four years in several locations, including Woody's House in Croton-on-Hudson.
True to his New York roots, Duraes has a song called "Hudson River", about meeting a girl on the train and spending a day with her and "Eyes Upon The Skyline" about 9/11. Duraes also covers "Images of Heaven". a 1980s Peter Goodwin song that has generated a cult following.
"The style is acoustic rock," Duraes said. "If you went to a record store and looked up the genre, it would be in the Pete Yorn or Bob Mould section. I couldn't put my finger on a specific genre."
Duraes said some of his songs sound like Foo Fighters or Husker Du. Duraes connected with Kevin Hupp, a renowned session drummer in upstate New York who connected him with some of the top session musicians in the area.
"I was fortunate to have them," Duraes said. "The album wouldn't have sounded the way it does if I didn't have the talent that I have on it."
Duraes has been into music since he was a kid, growing up listening to Elton John, Kiss and The Beatles and getting into all aspects of music including interviews and cover art.
In high school, he fell into the 80s new wave scene, becoming a big Duran Duran fan, and also listening to bands like Susie and the Banshees and Echo and the Bunnymen.
In his 20s, Duraes played in a goth band, performing at CBGB and Webster Hall.
"When that didn't pan out, I had to find a career and get a job," Duraes said.
The 46-year old said he got the itch and begin writing again which led to him performing at the Peekskill Coffee House and writing and performing.
"It's a collection of songs that capture the changes and experiences in my life over the last decade," Duraes said. "They reflect who I am and where I come from."
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