A worldly man indeed – Abe Duque has been from playing organ in his father’s church and serving time with the US Marine Corp to founding record labels and a residency at New York’s infamous and notorious club-kids hangout Limelight. The first releases on his own imprint Abe Duque Records were released with no labels, no promo – just music one one side and a message from Abe scratched by hand into the vinyl on the back. Dark acid bass lines, latin percussion, house grooves and piano instrumentals characterise Abe’s live show which he has been bringing to both the Terraza and Discoteca at We Love… with a thump we are becoming accustomed to. He has released on everyone from International DJ Gigolos to Warner Bros. His new album “Don’t Be So Mean” is available from Process recordings. All album tracks have also been released on vinyl on Abe Duque recordings.

In March, Abe Duque and his longtime art partner Andy Orel will resurrect their dirty little slice of club history – the club night Abuse Industries, first in New York on March 20th, and then at a showcase at the Winter Music Conference in Miami on March 23th. It’s a throwback to the old days of club-kids, Tension Records, Kirilan, and New York at its most surreal. Andy and Abe worked together for years promoting the Limelight – and also on museum shows, runways with Helmut Lang, pages in Hustler, the early days of International DJ Gigolos, and running one-offs and short, sharp, freaky promotions at one of the most notorious clubs of all time…

Did your parents encourage you to work in music?

They encouraged me to learn and venerate music. They discouraged me from working in it.

How did you begin to work professionally in music?

It all came with a decision. I one day told myself I would quit my truck diriver job and live from music from then on. It wasn’t until years later that I made any money.

How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?

I always say I am the sum of my experiences. Live and learn. Sink or swim.

Where is your current studio and what is it like?

It is in a basement in New York City. It is rather small for all it’s history but sounds fucking great. I have lots of old gear. And that makes it feel like home.

How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?

Oh, what a question. Yes this has been a big one. It was not until I realised the importance of targeted marketing that I ever started making money on my productions. It would be sad if I did not figure out a way to market myself that was not true to my music.

How would you describe your work?

I work hard. No chance to get anything out of this if I did not. Hit or miss, I need to keep on striking. Fortunately God blessed me with a little talent, which I take as far as my energy will let me.

Who were your teachers?

My father, my mother, Arthur Weinstein and the little man in my head.

Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?

To the stocks with them! Yes, the pillory and pranger will do.

You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?

I am sick of unicorns.

If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?

Depends on what I will be doing when I get there. I’ll go anywhere in time where I can be king. EMPIRE!

Abe Duque – DJ Profile

Abe Duque Records

Abe Duque – Myspace