Guildford-based songwriter and music producer Darren Wilson specialises in creating compositions varying from full orchestral scores to ambient soundscapes for use in audio visual media. He has a professional work ethic and is always keen to discover and sample new sounds.

Darren aspires to develop lasting partnerships with music libraries and distribution companies whilst simultaneously creating emotional, meaningful and licensable music. He is also involved in an up and coming band called Crutch For Hire which is an alternative rock band, with influences from Rock, Metal, Country and many others.

Describe your sound for us. What do you want people to feel when they hear your music?

The genre of music I create varies drastically – it depends on what I want to achieve in the music and also whether I am working by myself or on a collaborative project. In the past I have written music for genres such as pop, alternative rock, orchestral and electronic. The genre of ‘Echoes’ is soundtrack and it is made up of ambient soundscapes which create concepts of space, planets and other worlds.

Which 3 artists have influenced you the most growing up?

Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle).

How did you discover your particular sound?

I would argue that I don’t have a particular sound – my music is organic and it is always changing.

The sound of the music I write depends on different factors such as: the date and time the music is written; the genre of music I am working on at the time of writing; whether I am writing music on my own or collaborating with other musicians; and many other factors as well.

The sounds I have experimented with so far were discovered through many years of trial and error. Discovering and consuming new music as much as possible has also contributed to how my music sounds. The sound of the music I create will continue to develop as and when I become inspired by new artists and bands, as well as other areas outside of music.

What are the most important pieces of equipment to you?

The most important pieces of equipment I use can be found below.

– MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

– Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88

– Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen USB Audio Interface

– Audio Technica ATH-M40x Closed Back Headphones

– Taylor 114ce

What outside of music inspires you to create?

Outside of music I am influenced by fine art, photography, books, films, culture, politics, human anatomy and many other areas.

Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far that you will take with you forever?

One of my favourite memories is from a gig I played with my band Crutch For Hire. After we had finished our set we were approached by a man who was in the crowd when we performed. He said to us that if any band was going to bring back the Grunge genre it would be Crutch For Hire that did it. I have always appreciated comments like this and I will never take them for granted.

If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist living or passed, who would it be?

If I could work or perform with any artist I would choose Jerry Cantrell. I am heavily influenced by his approach to songwriting, how he plays the guitar and how he sings.

Most artists say that if they weren’t artists they would be mailmen/women… what would you be?

I would probably become involved in fine art (ink drawing, sculpture or painting) or photography (nature or wildlife). Being able to express myself as a creative individual allows me to live a fulfilling life.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

At the beginning of 2020, my first solo EP titled Echoes was released. However, this release is only the first of many I have planned over the duration of this year. My next focus will be working on another solo EP titled Highlands – Highlands is an EP which combines acoustic guitar with violin, cello, piano, vocals, percussion and drums to create an immersive experience which uses an instrumental approach to storytelling. In addition to Highlands, I will also be working on finishing other tracks which are near completion, with genres varying from electronic and hard rock, and everything else in between.

Follow Darren Wilson online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud | Bandcamp | Apple Music |  Spotify