Darren Emerson Biography

[Chris.M]

Darren began to DJ at clubs at the tender age of 16, after buying his first set of decks at 14. Inspired by DJs like Jazzy M, Darren would travel 2 hours on a train to visit record stores across London for the latest vinyl. Although local clubs in Romford, now the home of the Underworld studio's were his first gigs, Darren soon went on to play the now legendary parties at Limelights, The Milk Bar and Venus.

After being sited as DJ of the Month in the Face and i.D Magazine bookings from across the UK and beyond followed. Darren soon chose to ditch his job on the stock market and take on the dance music world full time.

Shortly after that, when he just turned 18, a friend introduced him to Rick Smith and Karl Hyde and Underworld was born. They were in a band together for several years and needed a new injection from a DJ/Producer and the rest is history.

Signed to JBO, who Darren was already producing for, the band released three albums and have sold over a million albums world wide. Their hits included Cowgirl, Rez, Born Slippy and Dark and Long, still DJ classics and remixes included Massive Attack.

The year 2000 saw Darren depart from the band. Although Underworld had been his passion for 10 years, he wanted to branch out, expanding DJ'ing and working with producers he was meeting on his travels across the world

And where better to start than Oxford! The first collaboration saw Darren and DJ superstar, Sasha produce an Ibiza classic "Scorchio" that was almost made for Space on Sundays! Remixes for Fat Boy Slim, Space Invaders (Defected) and self signed band ­ Meeker followed.

Underwater Records is taking on new form with Meeker's second single ­ Mountains out in Jan 2001 and regular releases planned throughout the year

To back this up, a residency @ the End in 2001 will see Darren's DJ'ing reach another high with long, exclusive sets and a host of guests DJs and producers from all musical levels joining him in a series of 6 Underwater Parties, with a one-off show planned for the Miami Winter Music Conference. As if this wasn't enough, monthly US tours and solo material are on the agenda for 2001 and a huge Ibiza season with Underwater going on the road! And at some point he sleeps!!