Darren Emerson
Darren Emerson | |
---|---|
![]() Darren Emerson (left) performing with Danny Howells (right) in 2017 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Darren Paul Emerson |
Born | (1971-04-30) 30 April 1971 (age 53) |
Origin | Hornchurch, London, England |
Genres | Electronic, house, techno, progressive house, progressive trance, breakbeat |
Occupation(s) | DJ, producer |
Years active | 1987–present |
Labels | Time Unlimited, Thrive, Underwater, K7, Boxed, Global Underground |
Website | www |
Darren Paul Emerson (born 30 April 1971) is an English musician, DJ and producer best known as a former member of the British electronic music group Underworld.[1]
Career
Early life
Emerson began mixing hip hop records at the age of 14, and by 16 was DJing regularly at local venues. He began to explore House Music and quickly acquired a reputation as one of the top British DJs, and demand for his services saw him playing at top clubs such as The Milk Bar, Limelight, and Venus.[2] Emerson has garnered several accolades such as "DJ of the Month" in The Face and i-D magazines.
Underworld
In 1990, Rick Smith and Karl Hyde relocated to Romford, where Martin Prudence, brother-in-law of Smith, introduced Emerson to him,[3] with Hyde inviting Emerson to become the third member of techno band Underworld. Emerson's experience DJing in London clubs was an inspiration for Smith, who began making music inspired by the sounds of the then burgeoning British electronic music scene.[4] With Emerson on board, Underworld completed their transition from the synth-pop sound of their first two albums to the techno and acid house sound of subsequent releases.[5] Underworld's first album to feature Emerson, 1994's dubnobasswithmyheadman, was their commercial and critical breakthrough, being called "The most important album since The Stone Roses and the best since Screamadelica…" by Melody Maker.[6]
In 1995, whilst working on their second album, Second Toughest in the Infants, they released the single "Born Slippy .NUXX", which was then re-released in 1996 and became a hit following its inclusion on the soundtrack to Trainspotting.
Emerson left Underworld in 2000, following the release of 1999's Beaucoup Fish.[7] He cited becoming a father as the main factor in leaving the band.[8] His final appearance with Underworld was on their 2000 live album Everything, Everything.
Solo releases
Emerson founded a record label called Underwater in 1994; originally started as a platform to release friends music as well as his own,[9] Underwater has gone on to celebrate 100 releases[10] ranging from techno to house and progressive house. Underwater ran a regular party night at super club Pacha, Ibiza alongside fellow DJ Erick Morillo's Subliminal label from 2001. The duo won 'Best Ibiza Set' in the 2001 DJ Magazine awards.[11]
Emerson also emerged as a much sought-after remix talent, with remixes for acts such as the Chemical Brothers and Björk.
Emerson has released three DJ mix albums on the Global Underground label, Global Underground 015: Uruguay in 2000, Global Underground 020: Singapore in 2001, and Global Underground 036: Bogotá in 2009.[12]
In 2010, he launched a new label, Detone, focusing on club releases by himself and like-minded producers.[13] He played a regular bi-monthly resident slot at London club The End until its closure in 2009[14] and performed at Sensation White in Amsterdam in 2007.
Since 2017, Emerson has toured as part of 3D, a DJ group also featuring Danny Howells and Dave Seaman.[15]
Personal life
Emerson was in a relationship with British TV presenter Kate Thornton from 2004. They got engaged in 2007 but ended their relationship in 2011.[16] They have one son named Ben, born in May 2008.[17]
Discography
Solo releases
- Psychotrance 2 (1994)
- Mixmag Live!, Vol. 13 (1996)
- Cream Separates (1997)
- Global Underground: Uruguay (2000)
- Global Underground: Singapore (2001)
- Summer Love 2001: DJ Emerson & D. Dreyer (2001)
- Underwater, Episode 1 (2002)
- H2O (12 inch) (2002)
- Underwater, Episode 2 (2003)
- Underwater, Episode 3 (2004)
- Underwater, Episode 4 (2005)
- Bouncer (2005)
- H2O EP (2005)
- Underwater, Episode 5 (2006)
- Crashjack (2008)
- Global Underground: Bogotá (2009)
- Dark Matter: (with Jamie McHugh) (2009)
- where we came from: (with Jamie McHugh) (2010)
Extended plays
- Au Go Go (2010, Detone)
- Hyper City Missiles (2012)
- Deadlock (2017)
- Birdcage (2018)
Singles
- "Scorchio" (with Sasha) (2000)
- "H2O" (2002)
- "Home" (2009)
- "Hot Dog" (2013, Bedrock)
- "Vamos" (2014)
With Underworld
- dubnobasswithmyheadman (1994)
- Second Toughest in the Infants (1996)
- Beaucoup Fish (1999)
- Everything, Everything (2000)
DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs
Year | Position | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1997 | 44 | New Entry | [18] |
1998 | 58 | Down 14 | |
1999 | 70 | Down 12 | |
2000 | 34 | Up 36 | |
2001 | 30 | Up 4 | |
2002 | 39 | Down 2 | |
2003 | 53 | Down 14 | |
Hiatus | |||
2005 | 233 | Out | |
Hiatus | |||
2007 | 237 | Out |
References
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Biography: Darren Emerson". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 109. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
- ^ "Underworld's Dubnobass ... 20 years on". The Guardian. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "History". Underworld. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ Uncut (17 November 2014). "Underworld – Dubnobasswithmyheadman". UNCUT. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Underworld Going Overground". Pushstuff. 22 January 1994.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (11 March 2016). "The Spin Interview: Underworld". Spin. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "END OF THE 'WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!". NME. 25 April 2000. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ Panov, Philip (17 March 2017). "TSC Behind The Decks | Darren Emerson". The Sound Clique. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Underwater Records". underwaterrecords.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "2001: 4th Edition (Man and Machine)". DJ Awards. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Darren Emerson readies GU36". 11 December 2008.
- ^ "Darren Emerson launches Detone". 6 June 2010.
- ^ "Underwater Xmas Party". 22 December 2017.
- ^ "Artist | 3D: Darren Emerson, Danny Howells and Dave Seaman". Latitude Festival. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Kate Thornton splits from fiance". femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Kate Thornton and Darren Emerson welcome first child, son Ben". Peoplemag. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Poll 2019: Swedish House Mafia". DJ Mag. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
External links
- Darren Emerson discography at MusicBrainz
- Darren Emerson discography at Discogs
- Darren Emerson interview about travelling, being a father and music[permanent dead link]
- v
- t
- e
- Karl Hyde
- Rick Smith
- Baz Allen
- Bryn Burrows
- Pascal Consoli
- Darren Emerson
- Darren Price
- Alfie Thomas
- Everything, Everything
- Live in Tokyo
- Live Here Now series
- 1992–2002
- The Bells the Bells
- 1992–2012 The Anthology
- A Collection
- Riverrun
- Drift
- Breaking and Entering
- Sunshine
- Frankenstein
- Isles of Wonder
- "Underneath the Radar"
- "Stand Up"
- "Mmm…Skyscraper I Love You"
- "Rez"
- "Spikee"
- "Dark & Long"
- "Cowgirl"
- "Dirty Epic"
- "Born Slippy"
- "Rowla"
- "Pearl's Girl"
- "Born Slippy Nuxx"
- "Juanita"
- "Moaner"
- "Push Upstairs"
- "Jumbo"
- "King of Snake"
- "Bruce Lee"
- Beaucoup Fish Singles
- "Cowgirl (Live)"
- "Two Months Off"
- "Dinosaur Adventure 3D"
- "Born Slippy .NUXX 2003"
- "Crocodile"
- "Scribble"
- "The First Note Is Silent"
- "Caliban's Dream"
- Teatime Dub Encounters
- Everything, Everything
- Book of Jam – Video
- The Bells the Bells
- Barking – The Films
- Drift Series 1 – The Films