Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Darren: I started my solo music career in 2018 as a form of therapy after a car accident. It was really just something personal for me, a creative outlet. Somewhere along the way it turned into a legitimate project!
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Darren: Spooky Surf/Instrumental Hard Rock.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been?
Darren: It’s been exceptionally positive! What I’m doing is very niche, and unconventional in terms of modern popular music. If this were 1960 I’d either have a number one hit or be burned at the stake. Possibly both. The good news is that I have a growing fan base … I just need to keep reaching new eyes and ears!
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Darren: I’ve released three solo albums since 2019, I expect the fourth one to hatch this October!
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Darren: The album is called “Last Seen in Canada”. It features some delightful song titles, such as “Premature Ectoplasm” and “Amphibian Rhapsody”! Some highlights for me are “Spider Jewel” and “Solitary Green Witch”. I’m really proud of “Spider Jewel”. I think of it as an unsettling summer romance song. There is an upbeat groove, but the melody has a hint of sadness and longing, because the romance can’t last forever – you know the end is coming, but wish you could remain in this perfect alternate universe forever. Musically speaking, I think the retro sounding outro at the end is a killer touch – 2 guitars and 1 bass are playing three different overlapping lines. It’s almost impossible to decipher what each instrument is playing because of how they blend. “Solitary Green Witch” is haunting and cinematic sounding, a little bit autobiographical – without lyrics. It’s a love letter to those people who live on the outside of convention, and happen to be drawn to the beauty of darkness. I have music videos for both of those songs on YouTube. “Melting Beneath the Moon” is another weird one that captures the mood of a midnight solo surf right before being attacked by a medium sized lone male Bull Shark. It’s also just full of cool guitar riffs.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Darren: This is a solo project in the purest possible sense, so I write and perform everything. A lot of solo albums are created with outside writers and musicians, and the artist simply lends their name and voice. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But in my case, every note or noise you hear is somehow coming from me – unless I have a notable guest performer. I have 100% artistic control, and I produce, engineer, and mix everything myself as well. It’s not an ego thing; it’s simply a matter of getting things done. I would love to have someone like Bob Ezrin produce my next album, but so far I haven’t gotten any offers! Haha! I’m happy with the way things are going – I make a good team!
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Darren: I do write lyrics, this just happens to be an instrumental project! Another creative aspect that I enjoy immensely is coming up with song titles. Every album feels like a concept album, and you can tell when you look at the artwork and read the song titles. There are usually stories behind them – but sometimes they are just words and phrases that came to me and I scribbled down or entered into my phone. Song titles are important – they can play a role in shaping a visual in the listener’s mind. Titles aside, I have found you don’t have to have lyrics to really connect to people through music.
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted the band at all?
Darren: It hasn’t stopped me from making and releasing music – although financially things have been terribly unstable because of the loss of work and ability to get out and promote myself – Covid has prevented me from performing live for practically two years. I have other bands too, but most of the shows and activity disappeared throughout the pandemic period.
Psychologically, it has been a challenge for myself, and a lot of artists. You want to write music, but there is a giant looming question of “what’s the point?!”, which can be disillusioning to say the least. That can put a serious damper on inspiration and motivation. I’ve had a lot of therapy so I was able to use some of those tools to put things into perspective and keep myself working. Some days were better than others, but I’m coming out the other side of this mess ready to rock!
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Darren: I also play with Famous Underground from Toronto and Creeping Beauty from Ottawa – and I’m working on another really cool collaboration too 😉
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you guys are from?
Darren: All music scenes have gone through a tough time with the pandemic, but I think things are starting to bounce back. Ottawa has been probably pretty average for a local music scene, but there is a lot of talent here. I hope people are ready to go out and experience and support it.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Darren: I could go on for days! I grew up on Kiss and Alice Cooper, Queen, Meatloaf, David Bowie, and many other musical superheroes. Those artists set me on my path to become a guitarist and songwriter. I also loved Prince and The Beatles, so I think the diversity in my taste really helped me to shape my own style. It’s probably pretty obvious to anyone who listens to my music that I value the song above all. Nobody needs to hear me playing twelve-minute compositions of drawn out guitar solos! Nowadays I am still inspired by discovering newer music – even if it’s only new to me! I really love Unlucky Morpheus, The Haxans, and Band-Maid.
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Darren: I do have a live band, although we haven’t had many opportunities to perform yet. I am currently in the middle of confirming several summer/fall shows. I like my show to have theatrical and visual elements – it’s show biz, after all! If you watch my music videos you can probably tell I have no interest in letting people be bored during the performance!
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Darren: I have done touring in the US and Canada, but it’s been a while. I would love to do that with my current project but I’m not sure how or where with this kind of act! Perhaps I’ll have to land an appropriate opening slot or something.
Crimson Moon: Do you do anything special warm-ups you do before you play live?
Darren: I do physical stretches, particularly my neck, since that is part of my car accident injury. Going onstage and getting carried away can cause me a lot of pain! Headbang responsibly, kids! I often play a Gibson Les Paul, which is a heavy guitar! I’ve started playing my Fender Tele a lot more because it’s super light, and is also a killer axe! I need to save my neck. As for guitar warm-ups, I know it sounds cliché, but for focus and coordination I practice some scales and exercises. If I have enough time I will play through particularly troublesome songs from start to finish.
Crimson Moon: If you weren’t in this band would you still be involved in the music industry?
Darren: Definitely. I am a songwriter – I love performing, but I don’t care about being a rockstar or some shit – I just love creating music. I am comfortable with making music to be used in film or television. Still, I admit, when I’m writing songs I’m often thinking about how much I look forward to playing it live!
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musicians just starting out?
Darren: This might seem obvious, but it’s important; don’t wait for perfect conditions. I have wasted a lot of time making excuses about having enough money, the right gear, a manager, or band member… the list goes on. Things will NEVER be perfect. Don’t let that stop you from taking steps toward your goal. You don’t need anyone’s permission to make the great music that’s inside of you.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Darren: Between now and the New Year I plan to do some live shows throughout Ontario, Canada. My fourth album “Abusement Park” will be released some time in October. I am also planning at least one more music video from my “Last Seen in Canada” album.
Contact him at:
https://www.instagram.com/darren.michael.boyd/
https://www.facebook.com/darrenmichaelboydmusic/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/13IYAOkMpkJvWrllsPS49p
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2a6yGcwUf-48HsNC6HeDgQ
Email: darrenboyd@magma.ca
Skype: d-dawg6100
