Firebrand blues guitarist Chris Duarte dropped his sophomore album, Texas Sugar Strat Magik,in 1994, and it sold an excess of 100,000 units. It was a big success for a modern blues album.Duarte went onto win the highly coveted Best New Talent in Guitar Players Readers Poll,and he finished fourth in the magazines Best Blues Guitarist category, behind legends EricClapton, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. He would go on to issue a string of critically-acclaimed blues,blues-rock albums, and experimental fusion-tinged albums. In the ensuing years, Duarte wouldalso maintain an in-demand touring schedule both as a solo artist and as a sideman.Throughout it all, fans have hungered for the ferocious blues stylist to dig into some Texas blueswith his own unmistakable magic. For his 15th album, his first since 2014, he does just that: TheAustin, Texas blues guitar slinger teems up with Texas Sugar Strat Magik producer-guitaristDennis Herring for the first time in 22 years. The resulting album, the gritty and sexy AintGiving Up, out September 2022 on Mascot Records, isnt a calculated return to roots affair,though. Recorded live on the studio floor with vintage gear and with minimal overdubs, this is araw and revved-up showcase for the blues virtuosos jaw-dropping chops; his mastery of theelusive Texas shuffle; and his deep love and commitment to the blues.I planted my flag with Strat Magik, and on this album I am pushing the music forward. Iveexplored lots of different facets of my playing, but this album says, Im here, and Im not givingup on blues or my career, Duarte says. He continues: And Im not playing it safe, eitherthesolos were all tracked live.Duarte has been known for his physical and athletic playing style he often plays so hard hisfingers bleed while hes onstage (there are photos to prove this legend). Because of this fierydedication, many fans and critics have playfully referred to his music as punk blues or rockinblues. My style is super aggressive and physical, Duarte affirms. These days Im a bit older,but I still put as much heart into my playing as I ever did I still love playing.The guitarist, singer, and songwriter came up as a force to be reckoned with in the 1990sAustin, Texas roots and blues scene. He rose to prominence in the wake of Stevie RayVaughans passing, and was noted for his muscular playing style; his jazz and rock n roll-infusedblues solos; and his command of the Texas blues tradition. Because of these soulfully virtuosicqualities, Duarte was often compared to the beloved modern blues icon, SRV. I wish I was thewhiz people think I am, he says with a good-natured laugh. Whatever skills I have, have takenyears to gainI practice a lot. He continues: I still want to be great and make my mark. Ilisten to SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, and others, and I always get inspired to carry on the Texas bluestradition.