1991
was the first major turn when he managed to get hold of Cornwall's
best underground venue THE SHIRE HORSE (now sadly deceased)
under the promotion name PROGRESSION there he spent years making
a name for the club and himself bringing down dj's such as SWAN-E,
LTJ BUKEM, MC RIBBZ, SIMON BASSLINE SMITH, CLARKEE,
LOFTGROOVER, HMS etc etc. Whilst promoting else where in Cornwall
venues included TALL TREES CLUB and BERTIES NIGHT CLUB in Newquay.
Also bringing big names such as RAY KEITH, GROOVERIDER, BRIAN
G, SY, CARL COX, EASYGROOVE, TOP BUZZ (the list goes on) for
their exclusive plays in Cornwall. He continued promoting through
the 90's at the same time owning a pirate radio call Panic FM
located in his flat and having guests such as top buzz playing
Whilst busy promoting these events he was also busy promoting
his own djing career playing all the warm up sets to his guests
which by all accounts held him under pressure (waiting for the
punters and the when it's busy waiting for the guest dj especially
stressful when most djs are driving from London area never before
playing this far southwest (and often being late.)
During this time he met Murray Beatson (Dreamscape) on holiday
with a friend, staying on the campsite where mastervibe was
working (strange things happen) and after a few phone calls
and some surfing lessons with Murray a great friendship was
formed. Mastervibe first played for Dreamscape at the Plymouth's
infamous Warehouse at Dreamscape 9 were Murray seemed to put
him to test by letting him in the back room playing techno b2b
with Clarkee. This involved going out and buying shed loads
of techno as he had never played or bought it before. But who
would turn down the chance to play at a Dreamscape. The next
event he was dropped in at the deep end, Dreamscape 10, he played
the main arena, and then had to go up to the second arena to
play after Peshay, not bad for his second BIG gig. After this
event he also started off a great friendship with Clarkee who
ended up playing for him in Cornwall at many of his parties
and together started his music, releasing tracks on Clarkees
label AREA 51 RECORDINGS were Mastervibe proved a great success
with his drum and bass, hard techno amalgamation.
Since Dreamscape 9 he has played Drum and Bass at every Dreamscape
up to 30 and promoted many Dreamscape events throughout the
southwest with Murray up until his untimely departure from this
world. Mastervibe has continued to play for most of the countries
top promoters (and some of the more dodgy ones) travelling many
miles every weekend.
In the mid 90's he stopped promoting at the now legendary SHIRE
HORSE in Cornwall this is mainly due to the techno heads taking
over (they threw cans and bottles at us for playing drum &
bass. NICE) and continued concentrating on his djing and his
production careers.
In 1998 a new club in Newquay called the Koola opened, it's
a small personal club split on 3 levels but was not having a
much success (originally designed for Bands) was his next involvement,
Since starting promoting a Drum & Bass on a Monday night
through Newquay's summer season then, he has go on to promote
every summer with d&b dj's including SWAN-E, GROOVERIDER,
LTJ BUKEM who make an appearance every year. Every dj has commented
on the amazing atmosphere and has asked to return time and time
again including GOLDIE, FABIO, JACK FROST and all of the above.
2002 saw him promoting twice a week one being his regular Monday
night and the new jungle night OLD SKOOL D&B on a Wednesday.
He continues to promote currently CHOOSING his line-up for summer
2003 and is working hard creating Drum and Bass in the studio
(see discography).
"The
best thing about playing these summer events is that it's
not just a local crowd they are from all over the country
on holiday and this make it very unique".
RESIDENT
DJ PAST AND present:
DREAMSCAPE
/ DANCE PARADISE / DANCE PLANET / PANDEMONIUM / DEVOTION
LEGENDS OF THE DARK BLACK / DEFINITION / EXKLUSIVE
Darren can been seen along side the likes of ltj bukem, Fabio
& Grooverider, Goldie E-Z Rollers,Nicky Black-Market,Kenny
Ken( the list goes on) when ever they are in the south west.
Plans for 2004 currently booking Exklusive events @ a new
venue (springbok) for a monthly event with large acts &
djs also continuing to run the drum & bass and hip hop
events at the koola
klub through out the season.
Monthly resident dj slots at legends of the dark black throughout
the country
Twenty 4 seven magazine also running a monthly article on
his kayaking and djing from Feb./march 04 .due to his unique
life style as an athlete and promoter/dj and how it all runs.
Darren is due to attend the Santa Cruz surf kayaking champs
in March 04 as well as all the UK competitions with him running
two ranking comps and co-running the 2004 British Championships
in Sept.
He also works as the promotions manager at the koola
in newquay and will continue to bring fresh line-ups to other
nights through out the year.
Already has an impressive list of major acts that he has promoted
under various names for the koola, with the biggest of which
being last year2003 (the ICE 'T' tour,scratch perverts,Rodney
p & skitz,plc,dj yoda,lottie, plus many more… |
