01Profile
A Darron J Connett Photo
Darron J Connett
Musician — London
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Modernist, individual, clean
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Been to so many great gigs but one that really stands out as a real pivotal gig for me was Danny Connors and The Ladders at The 100 Club a few years back. It made me up my game. My favourite track is 'Outer Space With You'. He now plays in Tom Grennan's band.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Easy. Oasis firstly because it must have been amazing coming from the council estates of Manchester armed with a ten box of Bensons and nothing in your pockets to become the biggest band of a decade within two years while bagging yourself a famous wife and the UK's biggest gigs. The working classes ruled the 90s.
Secondly The Beatles. Just because they literally changed the game and in my eyes never wrote a bad song. Their average songs are better than most bands best songs. Great barnets too.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Mod first I guess, love a bit of indie/Alternative stuff. Britpop if that's even a subculture? Hate the term, but there you go. Maybe a bit of 60s psychedelia as far as style and music's concerned but in truth like a bit of everything. Music and style imagery is what sparked my imagination in the first place. We really need to restore that.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Loads. But spending a bit of time with Frank Sinatra and the rat pack in Vegas chewing the fat over a few JD and cokes in the late 50s early 60s would be cool.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The 100 club - it has to be. It's not the greatest sound or the swankiest of places either, but the musical history is outrageous. Paul McCartney even played it one Saturday, and I played it the Sunday! All I could think was Macca's stood here. Magical place.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Nick Drake just because he died at a very young age before realising his star. He has such a unique voice and delivery. I think he was very special, even today he's not exactly a household name but seemed a beautiful soul and obviously a huge talent.
Darron J Connett's latest song 'How Dare You' is currently enjoying regular plays by Gary Crowley on his BBC London radio show. His latest album is available now on vinyl, CD, and all digital download platforms.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Gangsters' by The Specials. I was seven. Still play the albums. Great band.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Voodoo Ray' by A Guy Called Gerald. My later teenage years were in a field experiencing the new modernism.
One record you would keep forever?
'Hunky Dory' by David Bowie
It's my favourite Bowie album, and on first hearing it I knew you could say anything in any way in your lyrics. Sometimes it doesn't have to be a big statement but just something that pops into your head. Plus it's got some outstanding songs on it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'A Brand New Start' by Paul Weller. Just because I know how he felt in that moment when he wrote it. I guess a lot of artists would, it's very inspirational and it feels like throwing off a heavy wet coat. "I'm gonna clear out my, I'm gonna get myself straight, I know it's never too late".
A song you wished you had written?
Oh so many. That's hard for any writer to answer but it'll have to be a classic let's say 'Life on Mars' by Bowie can't go wrong with that.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Fire' by Kasabian. Not their best track but chuck in a couple of Jägerbombs and a bunch of friends then away ya go! Right up to 10.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Shut up by Stormzy'. Love Grime because it's out of the council estates of London. If you take away the violence, they're a lovely place to grow up. I can relate to Stormzy and the whole grime scene.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I'm one of those people who never want the night to end.
But 'I'm Coming Down' by Primal Scream seems perfect.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
So many great bands/artist out there. For a pop band, I really like FOURS 'Fade to Love'.
Josh Goddard solo and his band Lucky T Jackson are great especially 'This Particular Girl'.
Not a new band but one still bubbling under Whyte Horses check out 'The Snowfalls'.
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Modernist, individual, clean
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Been to so many great gigs but one that really stands out as a real pivotal gig for me was Danny Connors and The Ladders at The 100 Club a few years back. It made me up my game. My favourite track is 'Outer Space With You'. He now plays in Tom Grennan's band.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Easy. Oasis firstly because it must have been amazing coming from the council estates of Manchester armed with a ten box of Bensons and nothing in your pockets to become the biggest band of a decade within two years while bagging yourself a famous wife and the UK's biggest gigs. The working classes ruled the 90s.
Secondly The Beatles. Just because they literally changed the game and in my eyes never wrote a bad song. Their average songs are better than most bands best songs. Great barnets too.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Mod first I guess, love a bit of indie/Alternative stuff. Britpop if that's even a subculture? Hate the term, but there you go. Maybe a bit of 60s psychedelia as far as style and music's concerned but in truth like a bit of everything. Music and style imagery is what sparked my imagination in the first place. We really need to restore that.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Loads. But spending a bit of time with Frank Sinatra and the rat pack in Vegas chewing the fat over a few JD and cokes in the late 50s early 60s would be cool.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The 100 club - it has to be. It's not the greatest sound or the swankiest of places either, but the musical history is outrageous. Paul McCartney even played it one Saturday, and I played it the Sunday! All I could think was Macca's stood here. Magical place.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Nick Drake just because he died at a very young age before realising his star. He has such a unique voice and delivery. I think he was very special, even today he's not exactly a household name but seemed a beautiful soul and obviously a huge talent.
Darron J Connett's latest song 'How Dare You' is currently enjoying regular plays by Gary Crowley on his BBC London radio show. His latest album is available now on vinyl, CD, and all digital download platforms.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Gangsters' by The Specials. I was seven. Still play the albums. Great band.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Voodoo Ray' by A Guy Called Gerald. My later teenage years were in a field experiencing the new modernism.
One record you would keep forever?
'Hunky Dory' by David Bowie
It's my favourite Bowie album, and on first hearing it I knew you could say anything in any way in your lyrics. Sometimes it doesn't have to be a big statement but just something that pops into your head. Plus it's got some outstanding songs on it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'A Brand New Start' by Paul Weller. Just because I know how he felt in that moment when he wrote it. I guess a lot of artists would, it's very inspirational and it feels like throwing off a heavy wet coat. "I'm gonna clear out my, I'm gonna get myself straight, I know it's never too late".
A song you wished you had written?
Oh so many. That's hard for any writer to answer but it'll have to be a classic let's say 'Life on Mars' by Bowie can't go wrong with that.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Fire' by Kasabian. Not their best track but chuck in a couple of Jägerbombs and a bunch of friends then away ya go! Right up to 10.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Shut up by Stormzy'. Love Grime because it's out of the council estates of London. If you take away the violence, they're a lovely place to grow up. I can relate to Stormzy and the whole grime scene.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I'm one of those people who never want the night to end.
But 'I'm Coming Down' by Primal Scream seems perfect.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
So many great bands/artist out there. For a pop band, I really like FOURS 'Fade to Love'.
Josh Goddard solo and his band Lucky T Jackson are great especially 'This Particular Girl'.
Not a new band but one still bubbling under Whyte Horses check out 'The Snowfalls'.