The Southern Companion

Although THE SOUTHERN COMPANION is a new name to most people, the band’s collective CV is long and varied. “”””””

Their sound carries with it the weight of extensive touring and studio experience gained throughyears as session players for a wide range of artists such as Rumer, Lana Del Ray, James Morrison, Lulu,Replica Watches Pete Townsend (The Who) and Jon Allen

Following on from the self released debut album “”Short Stories and Tall Tales’ the 2015 record “”1000 Days of Rain”” sees the band comfortably established in their own British take on the Americana/Country genre.

The album was produced by multi Grammy nominee Ron Thaler and features guest appearances from industry legend Robbie McIntosh on Dobro and Ben Gunnery on Fiddle.

Earlier in 2015, Darren (singer/songwriter) toured the UK and Europe as the support act for platinum-selling artist Rumer, opening the shows and playing guitar in her band. After winning new Southern Companion fans all around the continent, he was invited to follow Rumer stateside for a “”careerhighlight and one of the best gigs I’ve ever played””, opening at The City Winery in Nashville, where he proceeded to take the roof off in front of an enthusiastic audience.

When asked about the band’s sound, Darren describes it as “”a big old blending up of all the great music I love: Americana/Country, Folk & Roots meets classic British Pop Rock, a Mid-Atlantic sonic whirlpool where the US & UK currents meet.””

Influences include Tom Petty, Del Amitri, Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, Ray Lamontagne, Jackson Browne, The Allman Brothers, The Band, The Black Crowes, The Beatles, The Stones, The Faces….we could be here all day!!!

Darren is honest about why it’s taken him until well into his 30’s to record his own material after many years as a sideman/back line member in various different bands. “”As a younger man I thought of myself as a guitar player that sings a bit. I loved singing but never had much love for my voice or my writing. The songs I’ve always gravitated towards sound like they come from a genuine place, from people who have lived a little. It feels odd to say that now, after many years performing everywhere from intimate “”house gigs”” to 20 strangers, in noisy, packed bars where you have to fight for every pair of ears, to a sold out 02 Arena opening for Bon Jovi, I’ve got to a place in my life with enough years and experience under my belt where I have an unfamiliar confidence in my songwriting and my ability to deliver the story. I write about real life, I feel like I have something to say that real people will relate to””.

The Southern Companion in one paragraph:
“”Countless shows, endless miles, hundreds of songs, changing bands, plans, vans and aching hands. Near misses and death wishes, false starts and broken hearts, blank pages and lonely stages. Blind faith and blind drunk, hangouts, hang ups and hangovers. Self doubt and not selling out. Blood, sweat,tears and beers. Cheers everybody, mine’s a large one x””

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