July 19, 2004
Interview with Darren Wharton
“With my dreams on fire
And my heart in my hands
We are who we are
And I know who I am …”
Belief: Dreams on Fire
“And I follow the flame, I still follow the flame … “
Beneath The Shining Water: Storm Wind
Passion is not something that can be manufactured, yet certain things can
ignite our passion and give us the strength to more fully express what we
feel. No matter what happens around us, the passion is a flame that cannot be
extinguished deep within our hearts. A musical artist who puts passion and
soul into every lyric, note and melodic nuance is Darren Wharton.
Previous examples of Darren’s passion are heard on “Belief” and “Calm Before
the Storm” which both highlight the textured edge of his voice. With his latest release of “Beneath the Shining Water” the combination of song writing and vocal delivery create a hauntingly atmospheric sound which mesmerizes the listener; drawing us deeper and deeper into the album through each of the songs.
It is with great appreciation that we bring this look into an artist who
radiates a lust for life and shows us that if we believe anything is possible.
1. Each album Dare has released is accompanied by a story as to the production and the motivations driving it. To look over the timeline we can see that you have indeed worked very hard and faced some challenges over the years. Yet listening to the music we do not hear the hard times, instead we hear the definitive Dare sound evolving and drawing us in. Would you say that life shapes the music or that the music follows a path all its own?
Life, I would say shapes my music a great deal … At least lyrically! I have had some tremendous highs in my career, but some pretty low points also. It seems the harder the times, the harder I try to succeed. And the people I love have always been there for me when I needed them most. I like to think the combination and my own belief and the faith of others closest to me reflects in a lot of the songs … but there is also a darker side of me that sometimes becomes apparent in the music. When I say darker...I'm quite a spiritual person, but not in a religious way. I feel that there are a lot of things we still don't understand about the universe, our origins, the power of the human mind, lucid dreams, astral travel, the list goes on. These type of things fascinate me, and I sometimes find they surface in an lyric, putting a slight mysterious overtone to the song. I suppose I'm a very passionate person also. There is a great deal of love in my heart, but there can also be hate and anger. Hate ...of the things that are so plainly wrong in the world. Unnecessary suffering, violence against the innocent, terrorism, cruelty to children. These things make me feel incredibly sad and angry … And then there is my romantic side. A side of me that dreams of happy endings, hope, and the idea that if we have faith and believe enough, one day we will overcome.
2. If the name Darren Wharton came up in conversation there would be many that would be able to describe you from what they know. We would hear that you are an incredible vocalist, an insightful lyricist and an exceptional musician. Would you give it to us from the source - Who is Darren Wharton as a man?
It's very nice of you to say so ……… Well what can I say! When I sit down to write a song I do go in to my own world. A world where time and space don't exist. Unfortunately over the years this world has crept into my real day to day existence. So some might call me a scatterbrain, daydreamer, but I like to think that I'm constantly thinking of my songs. I write songs while asleep, while I'm in the shower, or when I'm walking on the mountain. This can become quite annoying really. Seriously, I'm quite intense, yet very unorthodox. My motto is 'Hook or by Crook' which basically means that I will get things done on any level, any which way I can. I'm not afraid to break the rules!
3. One of the unique characteristics of your music is an inspiring motivation coupled with powerful lyrics and melodies. When it comes to those who have inspired you musically and personally - who do you give credit to?
I've been very fortunate in my career. Getting the gig with Thin Lizzy was obviously a life-changing event and has given me a wonderful life and respect from my peers. As far as rock music is concerned, Phil Lynott for me, was the best - Not just for his charisma on stage, but also for the sprit and passion that drove him and the band. I'm also a big fan of writers like Paul Brady, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour … but also Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles and Glen Miller. I like all kinds of music.... as long as it reaches the spot!
4. You have a sound that is very much your own, making your music distinguishable even when heard for the first time. As an artist what do you feel makes you stand out from the others?
I like good songs, but good music for me comes in many different guises - and doesn't necessarily have to have a lyric.
If you listen to Elgar ' Enigma variation's or Theme to 'Thomas Tallis' by Vaughan Williams, these are some of the most powerful pieces of music ever written and to me they speak volumes. What I also find fascinating is how melody alone can provoke such emotions...I suppose that' what makes us human, all so different and yet all the same. I guess because of my love for classical music, I write with a slightly orchestrated approach, which coupled with my love of Rock music and my outlook on life produces the sound of Dare...or Darren Wharton. Lyrically I can only draw on my own life experiences, although I never try to be too specific. Like Elgar I like to let the listener draw and create their own conclusions.
5. In recent discussions and posts regarding Dare and the music there is the recurring talk of the Celtic influence present in the songs. Would you take a moment to share where that part of you comes from and what it means to you?
I live in North Wales now, a beautiful part of the world. Its a mysterious country, Druids, stone circles, haunted castles, you name it … it's here. Being half Welsh and my Thin Lizzy connection, I feel a curtain affinity with Celtic origins. To me if feels quite natural to hint at those influences … as I did on our first album 'Out Of The Silence' with the songs 'King Of Spades' and 'Return The Heart'. And of course there was 'We Don't Need A Reason, Off 'Blood From Stone' which was very Celtic!
6. Can you tell us a little bit about the creative songwriting process and how it begins for you - lyrics, melody, structure, etc. Do you prefer to write alone or collaborate?
These days I tend to write alone, when I'm isolated. As I mentioned before, I don't need to be at my keyboard. I don't even have to be awake. 'White Horses' off 'Belief' came to me one day walking down a country lane in Germany. On this particular afternoon I was feeling slightly depressed and was missing home. Suddenly the words " A younger man with a lions heart, to face the brave new world" came into my mind. The melody came with the words almost immediately. That was it! For me there are no boundaries in songwriting, I try to keep an open mind. Melodies some time haunt me for years, then one day a lyrical idea might come to me which puts a whole new angle on the melody that's been locked away in the back of my mind ... Waiting. Talking of fate and all things weird, that song was picked up by BBC Radio 2 in the UK, which is the biggest Radio station in the Great Britain, by one of UK's most famous DJ's.- Terry Wogan. It opened a lot of doors for Dare, and taught me lesson - to follow you heart.
7. To listen to the title track off of the Belief album is a powerful experience. Could you tell us something more of where that song came from and what it was like recording it?
The song 'Belief' although may not lyrically, is basically about having belief. Faith, Prayer, what ever does it for you. If we believe, I think almost anything is possible. That's what the song and the album came to represent to me. Having the commitment, and sometimes sheer stubbornness not to quit and to succeed against all the odds. In fact I should have called the album 'Persistence' or 'Swimming up stream' but it didn't have the same ring..! It's never easy writing, producing, building the studio, forming you own label, doing the artwork, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
8. We understand that you have your own recording studio which we would assume gives you more creative freedom and reduces many concerns of time and expenses in the recording process. Do you feel that this has a significant impact on your music?
I love it. Every musician knows what its like to save up for some studio time. You rush in, get your backing tracks, rush the guitar solos while hoping that the vocals you've had floating around in you head are actually going to work. Before you know it, times run out and that's your demo done. To me it used to be a nightmare. These days I can record anytime I get an idea. I would recommend it to all writers. You don't have to spend thousands these days to have a great home studio. The technology available now is frightening. When I started out I use to dream about owning an analogue 8 track, now you can have 48 track digital in you bedroom.
9. Along with your own studio you also have your own record label Legend Records, how is that going and do you feel this allows even more artistic freedom? .
I do have my own label. That means I am responsible for my own direction and content . However I have some great colleagues at Pinnacle UK, MTM & SPV Germany, Suburban in the Netherlands, and NEH in America. Without the hard work of these companies and individuals all my hard work would be in vain. They get the albums in the shops, organize press, tours, interviews. They are invaluable, and in a way it's like being one big record company.
10. Thin Lizzy always had amazing artwork to accompany the music, as does Dare, how important is the art to you and how involved in it are you personally?
I do all of the artwork since 'Belief' Digital Photography has always been a hobby of mine, plus I paint - usually oil on canvas. It's escapism for me and is one of the things that can truly take me away from music (apart from a few other things which I won't get into) I've also studied Adobe Photoshop since 1993, which I find a lot of fun. I think it's important that the visuals reflect the mood of the record.
It's nice to be able to express you self on that level as well.
11. The internet is a strong resource for musicians and record labels to promote their music in a cost effective manner but also has a large potential for loss of revenue to piracy and bootlegging, in your opinion is the Internet a good or bad thing for musicians today?
I think these days, if you’re not signed to a major label, it would be virtually impossible to survive as a band without the internet. Advertising, promotion, touring, can be so expensive and require large budgets. So I think the advantages of the net far out way the disadvantages. I feel privileged we live in such an age!
12. During your time with Thin Lizzy and with Dare you have been able to work with and share the stage with many talented and inspiring individuals. What have been some shining moments in your career that you think of as the best?
There are so many great memories I wouldn't want to choose, although I can remember one night at Hammersmith Odeon, when all the Lizzy guitarists got on stage for the 'Boy's Are Back'. Eric Bell, Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, Snowy White, Scott Gorham, John Sykes, Phil Lynott, Brian Downey and me!!!! That was great, a little surreal. But then I remember when we were supported by U2 at Slain Castle, or the time when Paul McCartney poured me a drink at his 'On the road' premier in London. Or the times Mark Knopfler use to call round to Phil's for a drink, or when Michael Jackson came over to Phil, Scott and myself for a chat at the Embassy Club in London, or when ZZ Top bought us all a bottle of 'Wild Turkey' back stage in Texas. ...I could go on...but as I said, there are too many great memories!
13. Each album you have released has truly been different from the last, is there one album that you consider to be your finest work, or is that yet to come? Speaking of what is to come I know that you are working on a new album and I’m interested in knowing what direction the sound is going, would you give us a hint as to what to hope for?
I hope it is still to come. I've already started work on a new 'acoustic' album. Not acoustic in the true sense of the word, but simpler in style and production to previous Dare albums. It will probably be the nearest record to being my solo album. It will have some new and old songs on it, very different, but it's something I've wanted to do for a while now.
14. Your efforts and determination are greatly appreciated by all of your fans and we can respect that it takes a great deal of time and hard work to produce the quality of music you do. Away from the music and the work what activities do you enjoy to Strike A Balance in life?
I like to walk on the beach, ponder about life, I enjoy a good pint of Bitter, I enjoy nice wine, and watching good films like 'As Good As It Gets', 'The Odd Couple' … Feel good movies. I read about the paranormal, I practice astral travel … you know the normal stuff!
15. Is there any thing that you would like to say to your fans as a final thought?
Thank you for your messages and thoughts over the years, without your feedback there wouldn't really be any point …
Darren Wharton. x
Posted by Kathy at July 19, 2004 07:44 AM