Who is this weirdo?

  

The Style: 

Rock icons such as Kiss, Alice Cooper, Meatloaf, and Queen were superheroes and practically parental figures to an impressionable young Darren Michael Boyd. As a result, he is comfortable playing all kinds of music, and feels at home with a big theatrical show – regardless of the venue size. After years of touring, writing, recording, Darren has developed his own dynamic musical style, along with authenticity and unprecedented professionalism. 

The Sound: 

The belligerent tone of Darren’s guitar playing pays tribute to the rock monsters he grew up listening to, while quite literally screaming individuality. Ultimately, his priority is always to put the song first! 

The Past: 

Darren Michael Boyd has toured and recorded with various artists, including Black Ju-Ju, Creeping Beauty, and Famous Underground (featuring Juno award-winning vocalist Nick Walsh). 

He was invited multiple occasions to privately audition for platinum-selling artist Fefe Dobson, and was asked to write songs for Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric’s side band Beasto Blanco. 

Darren received a scholarship to attend a week in Toronto in the summer of 2007 at Guitar Workshop Plus, with some of the best players in the business as instructors (Paul Gilbert/Billy Sheehan/Sue Foley). 

In the winter of 2019 he was given an honourable mention by ASCAP for his first instrumental release "This song won't get played on the radio"

He has shared the stage with many classic and current acts such as One-Eyed Doll, Wednesday 13, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stryper, Stitched Up Heart, Beasto Blanco, and Lee Aaron, to name a few. 

Darren released his debut instrumental album entitled "Lifting the Curse" in the fall of 2019 as a form of therapy following a life-altering car accident. It was recorded and produced by Darren Michael Boyd, who performed all of the instruments  on the album, except on the track  "Was is something I said" which features drums by Emily Dolan Davies (The Darkness, Kim Wilde).  
LIFTING THE CURSE in the news! 

He brought his instrumental project to the stage for the first time in May of 2019. 

In the spring of 2019 he joined the Mississippi Mudds Theatre Group to play guitar for a sold out run of Queens We Will Rock You, which won the Ottawa Faces Award. He hopes to do a lot more musical theatre in the future.   

In the spring of 2020 he was voted best local musician, and best guitar teacher, in the Ottawa Valley/North Grenville Readers Choice Awards. 

During the 2020 Covid Pandemic period, Boyd created and released his sophomore solo album  entitled  Wonders of the Invisible World, along with five music videos. 

The Present: 

Darren was nominated for BEST ROCK ARTIST by the Josie Music Awards, the largest independent music awards show in the world - held at Dollywood in Tennessee!  

He recently completed studio recording  for the  new Famous Underground release - In my Reflection, including a music video for "Like an Animal".

Three of Boyd's  self-produced music videos from the Wonders of the Invisible world album were nominated for Independent film festival awards.  Arachnochakra won for Best North American Music Video in the Toronto Alternative Film Festival.  

Darren released a new single called "Spider Jewel" in June/2021, while he continues to work on his third solo album, with a projected release of October 2021. 

October 2021 marked  the release of Boyd's 3rd solo album, "Last seen in Canada..." and a return to the stage! 

As a result of Last Seen in Canada, Boyd was  nominated by the Josie Music Awards in the "Musician of the Year" category for 2022 at the Grand Ole Opry House  in Nashville.  

He is currently performing regional live shows, and released his 4th solo album "Thoughts & Scares" on October 21st/2022. Boyd has also released three  music videos  from the album, "Misty Mundae",  "Kickintheballs", and "Slow Dancing with Death".

Boyd is launching a four-song digital EP called "The G-String Murders" in March of 2023. 

 

The Future:

The objective for Darren Michael Boyd has always been the same: play loud, be seen, and be heard. With that motto in mind, he is always creating, performing, and looking forward to being part of the next musical team that he can contribute to - and proceed to tear the world a new one…

Awards & accolades

Darren Michael Boyd EPK