darren c
Darren C is the founder, promoter and resident DJ of Ultraplay, London. During his vastly rich musical and artistic career in alternative youth subculture, he's worked with legendary leading figures in both Punk Rock and Dance Music.
Here is his story...
Darren Courtney was born in Hackney, East London, during the year of hit single 'I Feel Love' by Donna Summer. Relocating from London to the leafy suburbs of Surrey at an early age, he was influenced by the synthesized and drum machine led era that was the 1980's.
Darren formed many post-punk rock bands as a songwriter and guitarist along side his manager Jimmy Pursey of 1970's punk band Sham 69. In 1994 Darren toured the UK supporting Sham 69 with his band A+I. During this tour he wrote and recorded an entire album with Jimmy Pursey in just seven days. A break finally came when Boy George's manager, Tony Gordon took interest. Another UK tour followed, but with pressures building within the band due to a clash of musical interests, the band finally split in 1996.
Deciding to take a break from bands and the grungy guitar sounds of the nineties, Darren went on to develop his talent and passion for art and Illustration at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, Epsom, Surrey. It was during this time, he discovered a refreshing new pool of creativity both artistically and musically and was inspired to go to Ibiza. This fateful trip to the White Isle in 1998, awoke his childhood memories and love for the early electronic era of the 1980's. This trip, ultimately reconfirmed his musical roots.
Darren's fist major influence in electronic music happened at Space, Ibiza in 1999 where he experienced the sound of Carl Cox and Jim Masters who were playing the Leftfield soundtrack "Phat Planet". In that very moment Darren C was hooked on the power and rhythm of Techno music. During the next years in Ibiza, Sven Vath and the Cocoon events became his next biggest inspiration as the Techno sound developed into a slower and more classically, melodic, almost spiritual sound, which he greatly admired.
After graduated with a Degree in Graphic Design in 2000, Darren started working as a freelance Designer for many top London night clubs, DJ's and record labels. He designed Carl Cox & Jim Masters website for their West London Thursday night Techno club 'Base' and he created various artwork for Mr.C's club 'The End'. His illustrations and work started to become well known throughout the scene and he soon landed the job as head Graphic Designer for one of London's longest running clubs; ‘Carwash’. Ex Underworld artist, Darren Emerson (Underwater), contacted him, invited him to his house and commissioned him to create a series of Manga styled Illustrated portraits of Emerson Djing. Then in 2003, Beechwood Records employed him to design various Album Artwork covers including album art for 'Roots Manuva' and many of Beechwood's own sub-label brands such as Bar De Lune and MasterCuts. All these contacts helped and inspired Darren to start DJing which he did in summer 2003 whilst talking to friend and Ibiza Space resident DJ Jonathan Ulysses.
In 2003, Darren created the ‘Deep’ residency which focused mainly on Tenaglia styled Deep House music. Over time the music became more Electro & Techno based, and the name and style of the residency changed to 'Dirty'. During this period in 2004, Darren C started to gain bookings across Europe. These included; Ibiza, Belgium, Iceland plus many gigs in Germany where he played clubs including the infamous German after hour Le C22, M1, Bosch Bar & Zapata.
In the fall of 2005, after holding various Techno/Tech House residencies across the UK, Darren C decided to a set up a new Sunday party in East London with a pure focus on Techno and Electro. Whilst looking for a suitable venue, he luckily stumbled across a newly opened and empty warehouse room on Brick Lane at the back of Cafe 1001. The room, although bare at the time, was perfect for Darren's vision of what was to become the setting for one of the best underground Techno Sunday parties in London. Ultraplay lanched in October 2005 with a special Halloween party that attracted a huge crowd. Giles Smith (Secretsundaze), Alex Paterson (The Orb) and Merka (Fat Records) all Headlined, with support from Darren C and friends, whom along with his team installed 100 Pumpkins to mark the occasion. The launch party was a massive success and Ultraplay has been steadily growing ever since. Ultraplay still continues to be one the most fun, free spirited and highly respected parties in London.
Darren C has helped find, promote and champion many new up and coming DJ's, such as Jackie Misfit and Lyn Saine and he has helped promote these artists through his Ultraplay brand. His working relationship with Cafe 1001 which has always been, and still is, home to Ultraplay, has been a perfect match due to the creative freedom and trust the Cafe's given to Darren in regards to the music policy. It is this freedom that Darren treasures and has used to make the Ultraplay a very special experience that everyone remembers with a smile. His organisational skills and fussy attention to detail with sound and light creates a wild party atmosphere like no other, where people feel free to really to let themselves go.
Ultraplay has established itself as one of the best underground Techno clubs in London which has attracted an incredible lineup of international special guest DJ's whom have played alongside Darren C. These have included, Jackie Misfit, Jacob Husley (WYS/Fabric), Dollz at Play (Superfreq/The End), Marcashken (Leftroom), Clodagh (Carl Cox), Oliver Ho (Poker Flat), C.J Hartmann, Jack Schidt (Pineapple Rec), Pakodilio Circus (Beatbound), Lyn Saine (U.Pig), Defex (Safari/Zoo/Ibiza) Giles Smith (Secretsundaze), Tom Humljan (Play/Stuttgart), Heidi (Phonica), Kerry (Lady K), Andrew Kilzer, Alex Patterson (The Orb) & Merka (Fat! Records) plus many more.
Darren C's favourite and most memorable experience DJing abroad, was in Reykjavik, Iceland at PartyZone where he supported Bookashade & Jack Schidt (Margeir). Jack Schidt whom Darren met in Copenhagen at the Icelandic Airwaves tour in club Vega, has been a big influence on Darren C and has inspired him to get back to doing what he really loves the most, which is making music.
With his influences from the past, and his mind always set firmly in the future, Darren C has crafted a unique sound and style that could only be had by someone who has experienced so much, musically. The sound of Darren C is deep, melodic, bass driven, atmospheric and always... cutting edge.
Darren C is now creating music under the production name of Ultraplay and his music... is coming very soon...
resident advisor
