Darren Michael Boyd has toured and recorded with a variety of artists, such as Black Ju-Ju, Creeping Beauty, and Famous Underground (featuring Juno award-winning vocalist Nicholas Walsh). He was invited multiple occasions to privately audition for platinum-selling artist Fefe Dobson, and asked to write songs for Alice Cooper’s daughter Calico Cooper, and long time bassist Chuck Garric’s band Beasto Blanco. Darren received a scholarship to Guitar Workshop Plus in Toronto, with some of the best players in the business as instructors (Paul Gilbert/Billy Sheehan/Sue Foley). He has shared the stage with such acts as One-Eyed Doll, Wednesday 13, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stryper, Harem Scarem, Beasto Blanco, and Lee Aaron. In the spring of 2019 he joined the Mississippi Mudds Theatre Group to play guitar for a sold out run of Queen’s We Will Rock You. The Mississippi Mudds won the Ottawa Faces Magazine award for Favourite Theatre Group for that year.
After a life-altering car accident, the Ottawa and Toronto-based musician created his debut album, “Lifting The Curse,” as a therapy for the physical and psychological complications that followed the accident. Painstakingly writing, recording and producing the 9-track album himself, Boyd only called upon outside help for one track, “Was It Something I Said,” which features drums by Emily Dolan Davies (The Darkness, Kim Wilde.) Mastering was done by Harry Hess at H-Bomb Mastering (Barenaked Ladies, Danko Jones, Monster Truck.)
In the winter of 2019 he was given an honourable mention by ASCAP for his first instrumental release “This Song Won’t Get Played On the Radio.” Darren was nominated for BEST ROCK ARTIST by the Josie Music Awards, the largest independent music awards show in the world, held at Dollywood in Tennessee!
In October 2020, Boyd released his second solo album, “Wonders Of the Invisible World.”
LINKS:
Website: www.darrenboyd.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darren.michael.boyd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darrenmichaelboydmusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/THEwHORRORcanada
What first got you into music?
I got my first Alice Cooper and Kiss records at 7 years old, and that set me on a lifelong path. They were my superheroes. In a way, they still are!
Who inspired you to make music?
I was inspired to make music from the day I heard Kiss Destroyer, and have continued to draw inspiration every time I hear music of any kind. I have a non-negotiable need to create, and hope to do so as long as I’m above ground.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Instrumental Witch Rock… It’s quirky, and at times, dark and heavy. Although it’s very guitar-driven, it’s not just for guitar nerds (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). I tend to write short songs, to the point and full of hooks and melodies.
What is your creative process like?
It’s not much of a typical process – because that wouldn’t exactly be creative! I do have some best practices that help, however. For one thing, I am always using my smart phone to jot down ideas or record audio snippets. Technology prevents frustrating “forgotten idea syndrome”.
Also, once I have even a skeleton of a song, I make a copy and listen to it while I’m driving, or at the gym, and I just subconsciously let the song develop in my mind as I’m listening. It really helps me hear the parts that are missing; all of the instruments – harmonies, bass lines, drum fills, dynamics, arrangement possibilities – it all comes to life in my head. Then, I have to actually figure it all out and finish recording everything!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
A lot of people, since I’ve been doing all this by myself for a while! Alice Cooper is always on the top of my list (I’ve had a lifetime to work on the perfect riffs). I think Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) or The Haxans would be very cool to write songs with.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
I’d like to play ANY show right now! I’m not really sure where I would fit, and how my show would be received, being instrumental and all… but I’d love the open for The Darkness.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you for supporting independent music! It’s more important now than ever. Music is a vital part of human culture and it’s imperative to keep it going at an indie level. Thank you for appreciating passionate and dedicated artists!
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Certainly not if I think anyone can hear me…. I will occasionally belt out a C major scale, or something equally exhilarating.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I already have a couple of other careers that I love, and simultaneously juggle. I work at my local library, and I have an education-based reptile breeding and show business.
Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
I’ve performed throughout North America. I wish I had upcoming shows – who knows, maybe that will happen soon? I hope so! I think all venues have their own special charm. I always have a blast playing The Rockpile in Toronto, off the top of my head.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The Internet has impacted the music business the same way as it has impacted everything else – with extremes of both good AND bad. An example of the good is that we now have access to so much music with the click of a mouse. The bad is the devaluing of music. I don’t mean in terms of dollars. Pre-internet there was something so special about getting a CD or record! Now I fear that feeling is being replaced by the mentality that music is a disposable art form. I hope I’m wrong about that… I believe there will always be true music lovers. I am still super excited to get a new CD or even a download, if that’s my only option.
What is your favourite song to perform?
I would have to say Wonders of the Invisible World, because it’s just a straight-ahead rock song with a driving energy. I love the half time guitar riff too, that’s actually trickier to play than it sounds!
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I’m just a mild-mannered, well-behaved Canadian boy. I have never been caught… uh, never been in any trouble!
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Probably the best advice is that I don’t need anyone’s permission to create. I think that’s a great piece of advice that I would pass along to every single person alive. Create music, art, clothes, stories, hairstyles… absolutely anything that calls to you. You don’t need to do it for a living, you can just do it because it is fulfilling to you, and nobody has any right to tell you otherwise.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would ditch the social media promotion aspect 100%. It’s nonsense. We are all fighting against an algorithm to get to the top of a mountain that doesn’t exist. I would be a better musician if I spent more time playing music and less time on social media, scrambling to provide free content for a billion dollar company that punishes you by limiting your reach for not uploading frequently enough. That’s something to think about. I don’t know what the answer is, but I know what we are doing now is not beneficial for good mental health, or reaching an appropriate audience. And I’m aware of the irony that I will probably be posting this on social media.
What’s next for you?
Since Wonders of the Invisible World was just released around Halloween, I will be focusing on getting it to as many ears as possible. And eyes too, since I have a video already out for the title track, and I will be working on a new video very soon.
How important is the current COVID crisis to you and how do you think you could help?
Most small businesses seem to be struggling now, including mine – so it’s really important to consider where your money is going these days. Shopping local isn’t just some meme; it’s critical to put it into practice wherever you live. It’s something that we can all do to help.
I released my new album knowing that it’s probably not the best time, commercially speaking, but I think people need music and entertainment. Something to look forward to, something to help people escape from the constant uncertainty we are all facing. And of course, you can stream it anywhere, if you want to support and enjoy it but don’t have the spare cash to purchase the CD. There is another positive of the Internet!