Daren Pickles

Daren is a composer, producer, performer, collaborator and lecturer in Music Technology. He started his musical career in 1987 in the Leeds based noise band 'Purple Eternal' (Stuffed Cat). He formed his own side project 'Zero Zero' (unsigned) in 1988, which incorporated drum machines, samplers, guitars and scratching. In 1991 he joined the krautrock-influenced band 'Bushpilot' (Frog/Cherry Red Records), which comprised some of the former members of Purple Eternal. In 1995 he formed the dance music group 'Supercharger' (Soundclash/ China Records/Warner Bros-USA) with Dave Ranyard. After the band split in 1999 he collaborated with Hoi Wan on the 'Hoysta' project (Back Room Records) and released tracks under the moniker 'Judgemental' (Free Radical Sounds). Between 1999 and 2008 Daren lectured at the Gateway School of Recording (Kingston University/ City University, London) in Sampling, Synthesis, Recording and Sound Design for film and television. During this time he wrote music for film and television both individually and in collaboration with Julian Cox ('Hoax'- Moving Shadow). His music has been used extensively by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 and SKY networks and also been utilised by international broadcasters in America, Europe and the Far East. His most notable film compositions include contributions to the film 'Goal, The Dream Begins’ (2005)(with Dave Ranyard) as well as collaborating with David Arnold, Rob Playford (Moving Shadow) and Julian Cox on the film '2 Fast 2 Furious’ (2003). Between 2003 & 2008 Daren co-wrote and produced the band 'Chenko' (Chenko Records). He is currently a member and producer of the band 'Solus Rex', formed with bass player and ex-member of the band 'Stereolab', Duncan Brown. He has also produced and mastered a number of notable acts such as 'Billy Mahonie' (Tritone Records), 'Jesus Licks' (Post Records) and acts on the Suyin Records label. Since 2008 he has been a Senior Lecturer in Music Technology at Coventry University.