DANE PETERSEN

dane aboutpageimageI am a Dallas, TX area keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter. My approach to music can been described simply as multifaceted--I have no interest in labels or concrete descriptions. I have many years of experience playing piano, keyboards and synthesizers, to the point of doing this professionally. I also sing and some say I have a rather large voice--unlike my stature. I have played with many people over the years and recorded with some as well. I have also writen some original music; of which you can find on my current CD EP, "More Than A Day's Work." On that project (in my writing and singing) I tried to go for a very melodic, pop infused style akin to Neil Finn or the quirkiness of Andy Partridge. However, if you catch me live it's not uncommon for me to take a stab at rock singing that channels Bono or Michael Hutchence. On the keyboard, I've listened to a wide variety of sources, and sometimes they rub off. Giants such as Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, Chick Corea, Red Garland, and Kenny Kirkland have found their way into my jazz playing.

On the pop front, there are the conventional influences of Billy Joel, Elton John and Bruce Hornsby, but I also draw from David Sancious, Chuck Leavell, Nicky Hopkins, Bernard Wright, and Jason Rebello, who are not only piano players, but are adept at Hanmond B-3, clavinet, Rhodes and various synthesizers. After all, I grew up in the heavily MIDI-fied 1980s. Along with performance I like to take a stab at writing, arranging, and production. These elements, showcased in the CD EP, merge elements of classic and modern British pop along with their American and Australian counterparts.

My piano training started over 30 years ago and combines classical, jazz and pop study. I received my degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University in 1992 and a Master's in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 1999. During my time in college, I sang in the renowned Millikin University Chorus under the direction of the late Richard Holland, and played in the Jazz Band under the direction of Steve Widenhofer. At UNT, I played in the University Lab Band program, Zebras keyboard ensemble, and various small group organizations.

After I finished school, I dove into notation work with a busines outfit, Sonic Score--Finale-based score, chart and lead sheet realization for original music and arrangements In late 2009 that site was closed, and the notation services moved to this site. Along with that, I started playing full time in local bands such as Tropix (1996-1997), Groove Posse (1997-1999) Random Axis Band (1999-2006) Roof Raisers (2006-2007), Mars Hill Band and Limelight (present). In April, 2006 I formed a cover band called Reality Bites with the other former members of the Random rhythm section; presently we are now known as The Revolvers. In the summer of that same year I started playing with country singer Derek Sholl and the band and I performed on his 2008 release, "Here," later repackaged and retitled "Derek Sholl." I also put time in with Naked Lunch, a Steely Dan tribute band and I do various recording work out of my Pro Tools-based home studio.

Other people have been kind enough to compare "More Than A Day's Work" to XTC, Neil Finn, Todd Rundgren, post 1990's Tears For Fears, Brian Wilson and The Beatles. This year I plan to finally begin work on the follow-up after several aborted attempts. Stay tuned...