Darren Paul Emerson (born 30 April 1971) is an English musician, DJ and producer best known as a former member of the British electronic musicgroupUnderworld.[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]
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.
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 TVpresenterKate 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]
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