Drawing comparisons to everyone from David Bowie and Robyn Hitchcock to Semisonic and Son Volt, Darin Murphy is a gifted artist and key player in the Austin, TX talent pool. Murphy grew up in Houston, surrounded by musicians and DJ's, and arrived in Austin in the mid '90s. Mixing his Britpop roots with some of his American indie-rock favorites, he emerged in 1999 with his first solo effort, Solitarium, which drew worldwide praise and gave Murphy an identity all his own. In 2001 his second CD, Haunted Gardenias, brought songwriting awards, year-end top ten lists and regular airplay on AAA radio. Now working on his third solo effort, Darin records, produces and drums for other Austin artists, and also composes music for commercials. Though a dynamic performer, he is most comfortable in the studio, making it up as he goes along.
"The main thing is not to try to make something cool," he says, "but rather to allow it."