Darren Tate's musical metamorphosis

Acclaimed composer and electronic music producer, Darren Tate, has been a notable figure in the dance and electronic music scene for several decades. His music explores electronic soundscapes with a distinctive and evolving sound, and that evolution is made even more apparent through Tate's various musical incarnations over the years.

His career has seen him release numerous tracks and albums under various aliases, including Jurgen Vries, DT8 Project, and Angelic, showcasing his versatility and creativity. In 2024, Darren Tate is embarking on a new musical transformation with his debut solo album, ‘Metamorphosis’, released on Anjunabeats. To celebrate, Tate took his music to the scenic Wakehurst Royal Botanical Gardens for an euphoric performance. We caught up with him to get his thoughts on the impact of modern technology and how his music has evolved into the rich, textured soundscapes he’s producing today.

Tate's fascination with electronic music began at a young age. "I had some weird obsession with electronic music equipment from about eight years old," he recalls. With a few years of piano lessons under his belt, his curiosity led him to the London Rock Shop in Camden High Street. "Ogling at all the shiny new gear, especially the Roland Jupiter-8, which I eventually had to own, was a pivotal moment," he explains. Tate's early influences ranged from Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to Jean-Michel Jarre and Depeche Mode. These pioneering artists in music production and engineering deeply inspired his formative years.

His classical music background significantly shapes his approach to electronic music. "Firstly, I learnt to play instruments," he notes. This foundational knowledge allowed him to explore composition and orchestration, blending traditional symphonic scores with electronic instruments. "I could create symphonic scores out of instruments that had never existed until that moment," he elaborates. This fusion of classical and electronic elements became a hallmark of his music, especially evident in his film scoring work where he often combines electronic and acoustic sounds.

The evolution of technology has continually influenced Tate's music production process. Early in his career, he had to hire studios to finish mixes. "I’d bring down all my synths, get it all playing on a large format console and then have a day or so to get a mix done" he says, but advancements in technology have transformed his workflow.

"Now so much can be achieved in the box," he says, referring to the capabilities of modern digital audio workstations. The introduction of MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) and tools like Seaboard RISE 2 have been revolutionary. "MPE is a revolution for keyboard players," he enthuses. "We’ve now got the ability to play almost any instrument realistically using RISE 2. This is a real game changer for performing live. I was able to quickly flick between numerous instruments during a live set, and if you closed your eyes you’d believe you were listening to that actual acoustic instrument being played and not someone on the keyboard."

"I used Seaboard Rise extensively across my sets," he continues. "I basically incorporate a combination of music stems in Ableton Live which are re-assembled as part of a set. I then live loop compose and jam on those re-built tracks; with the software often changing the instrument before I have to play a part in. Thanks to RISE 2 I was able to realistically play cellos, violins, large string ensembles, flutes and saxophones throughout the set. Yup; I think we’ve successfully evolved the one-man band!"

Tate's live performances have also benefited from technological advancements. His set at Wakehurst Botanical Gardens exemplified this integration, allowing Tate's music to flow effortlessly as the set progressed. "I used Seaboard Rise 2 extensively across my sets," he explains. By incorporating music stems in Ableton Live and live looping, Tate could seamlessly blend and perform with various virtual instruments. The tactile and expressive surface of Seaboard RISE 2 allowed him to deliver technically proficient and emotionally resonant performances.

Throughout his career, Darren Tate has witnessed significant changes in the dance and electronic music landscape. "In the early days, I would have to hire studios to finish mixes," he reminisces. The advent of affordable home studio setups and powerful software has democratized music production. Tate now utilizes an extensive array of software for fast film scoring and in-the-box (ITB) electronic music production. His primary DAWs include Studio One, Logic Pro, and Ableton, Sibelius for film scoring, and tools like Equator2 and virtual instruments from Audio Modelling and Spectrasonics form the backbone of his sound design arsenal.

Metamorphosis: a new beginning

Tate's debut solo album, "Metamorphosis", marks a significant milestone in his career. "I’m bringing in new genres and new production methods. Once upon a time I was primarily known for trance music, but now I think the genre means far less and it’s all about presenting the listener with a journey; where there is a symbiosis between the different records through the use of instrumentation (sound programming) and composition methods."

The album represents both a continuation of his past work and a bold step forward. "It’s taking a lot of what I’ve done and evolving it in every direction," he says. His live looping sets, inspired by nature and utilizing cutting-edge technology like the Ableton Push 3, have been a major source of inspiration for this new music.

For those aspiring producers and musicians on their own journeys of musical exploration looking to follow in Tate footsteps, he offers some valuable advice: "Firstly, never give up, providing you love doing it!" He emphasizes the importance of passion and perseverance. "Learn to play an instrument well, get a good production room together with tuned speakers, and analyze your own music accurately." Continuous learning and keeping an open mind are crucial. "I NEVER stop watching things, and you have to understand you will NEVER know everything," he advises. Finally, he encourages aspiring producers to trust their instincts and be wary of naysayers.

Darren Tate's journey from a young electronic music enthusiast to a pioneering composer and producer is a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and innovative spirit. As he continues to explore new musical landscapes and technologies, his work serves as an inspiration to musicians and producers around the world.

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, and listen to his new album "Metamorphosis" out now.