Darren Garvey is a multi-instrumentalist. Since 1998 he has performed and toured as a drummer and percussionist. Most recently these outfits include the Andreas Kapsalis Trio, Cameron McGill & What Army, and Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons. As a recording artist, he has appeared on over 60 releases and movie soundtracks. In 2010 Darren released his debut solo record Under A Common Ceiling. On it, he plays everything from piano to pump organ to micro korg, accordion, mbira, banjo, guitars, bass, a wide array of percussion instruments, and takes lead vocal duty for the first time. 
OCT 2011 - Studio TimesIt has been great staying around Chicago for most of this year. Wildly different from the past few I played 20+ shows instead of 150+. I've had endless time in the studio working on new projects and sharpening my engineering and producing skills. You can check out some of the latest at Sound Cloud. To finish off the year I'll be down in St. Louis working with some new friends at Red Pill Studio. Hoping to start my second solo record down there soon! JULY 2011 - New ReleasesThere are a handful of recordings being released this year that I am proud to have been a part of: JAN 2011 - A Look Back At 2010
* released my debut solo record Under A Common Ceiling * performed on Rockpalast in Germany with Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons * played 130+ shows with Cameron McGill & What Army and the Andreas Kapsalis Trio * won the Emerging Artists Competition for my live solo performances * appeared on 14 new records including projects Like Pioneers and L'Altra * played on CM&WA's Daytrotter session Upcoming releases in 2011 by Cameron McGill & What Army, L'Altra, Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, and Daniel and the Lion!!! Thanks for your support throughout the year. Let's do it again sometime. Happy New Year, JUNE 2010 - Videos of Buddy Nuisance, Cory ChiselPlease visit my Photo/Video page to view 2 new videos. The Buddy Nuisance video was directed and produced by Joe Grzeskowiak (Jenny Lewis, Mute Math, Taking Back Sunday) for Unitus Productions. It was filmed at IV Lab Studios and various Chicagoland locations and features Phoenix from American Gladiators. |
                                                   
Illinois Entertainer - Around Hear: February 2011Handling a vast array of instruments (including accordion, mbira, and pump organ, as well as a diverse percussion collection), Darren Garvey uses an exotic palette of sounds and textures on Under A Common Ceiling (Quell). The layered tones and collisions of sounds infuse the album with a satisfying richness. Quirky, upbeat pop tunes (“As We Die,” “Misleading”) show Garvey’s deft arranging skills and his knack for writing gently energetic numbers. – Patrick Conlan2010 CD Baby - Review of "Under A Common Ceiling" Editor's Pick
 Deftly mixing jazz, folk, chamber pop, indie rock, and world music, this album is refreshingly varied in its restless, border-crossing musicality. Garvey, a veteran of world/experimental group Andreas Kapsalis Trio (among others), plays a roomful of instruments (honestly, the list of what he played on this album makes me salivate) and he brings in a good number of guest artists as well, to play horns, strings, flute, and more. A drummer by trade, Garvey is adept at incorporating sly grooves and rhythmic counterpoints into his songs, without distracting from melodic and chordal variations. It’s seriously interesting and engaging music that never imitates, but sometimes calls to mind similarly restless artists as Andrew Bird or Kaki King. This is good, good stuff. |