Darren Emerson

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Darren Emerson
Darren Emerson (left) performing with Danny Howells (right) in 2017
Darren Emerson (left) performing with Danny Howells (right) in 2017
Background information
Birth nameDarren Paul Emerson
Born (1971-04-30) 30 April 1971 (age 52)
OriginHornchurch, London, England
GenresElectronic, house, techno, progressive house, progressive trance, breakbeat
Occupation(s)DJ, producer
Years active1987–present
LabelsTime Unlimited, Thrive, Underwater, K7, Boxed, Global Underground
Websitewww.darrenemerson.com

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[edit]

Early life[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 as part of 3D, a DJ group also featuring Danny Howells and Dave Seaman.[15]

Personal life[edit]

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[edit]

Solo releases[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

  • Au Go Go (2010, Detone)
  • Hyper City Missiles (2012)
  • Deadlock (2017)
  • Birdcage (2018)

Singles[edit]

  • "Scorchio" (with Sasha) (2000)
  • "H2O" (2002)
  • "Home" (2009)
  • "Hot Dog" (2013, Bedrock)
  • "Vamos" (2014)

With Underworld[edit]

DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Biography: Darren Emerson". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  2. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 109. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  3. ^ "Underworld's Dubnobass ... 20 years on". The Guardian. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  4. ^ "History". Underworld. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  5. ^ Uncut (17 November 2014). "Underworld – Dubnobasswithmyheadman". UNCUT. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Underworld Going Overground". Pushstuff. 22 January 1994.
  7. ^ Unterberger, Andrew (11 March 2016). "The Spin Interview: Underworld". Spin. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  8. ^ "END OF THE 'WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!". NME. 25 April 2000. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  9. ^ Panov, Philip (17 March 2017). "TSC Behind The Decks | Darren Emerson". The Sound Clique. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Underwater Records". underwaterrecords.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  11. ^ "2001: 4th Edition (Man and Machine)". DJ Awards. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Darren Emerson readies GU36". 11 December 2008.
  13. ^ "Darren Emerson launches Detone". 6 June 2010.
  14. ^ "Underwater Xmas Party". 22 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Artist | 3D: Darren Emerson, Danny Howells and Dave Seaman". Latitude Festival. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Kate Thornton splits from fiance". femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Kate Thornton and Darren Emerson welcome first child, son Ben". Peoplemag. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Poll 2019: Swedish House Mafia". DJ Mag. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

External links[edit]

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