Ian Darby is a singer-songwriter/ producer from the West Midlands (an industrial part known as the 'Black Country' - the name stemming from it's heavily industrialised past during the industrial revolution when the sky reportedly turned 'black' with pollution. His music is written from the heart, inspired by the 'gritty' but warm, humourous and entertaining environment where he grew up. Music is inspited after spending a lifetime loving music of all forms from Steve Reich through Benjamin Britten, Ravel, Debussy to Charles Mingus, and John Martyn, Nick Drake, the Verve, Beck, Sigur Ros and a lot more! Ian began playing the organ at aged 7 and from there moved to guitar (mainly acoustic/ finger picking style) and later piano before beginning to sing in his early twenties in bands. Ian now works with an integral string trio comprising Violin (Hannah Pritchard), Viola (Helen Beecroft) and Double Bass (Flora) and sometimes adds extra instruments as on "Love is Home" and "Where Wild Flowers Grow". Ian and Reverie's (sometimes known as Reveriestrings) first recording was "Watch the Skies" which was essentially a live album with some additions made in Ian's home studio in Birmingham. "Love is Home" a short ,three song demo/ EP was recorded at a studio in Birmingham and saw Ian become more adventurous by additing a brass section, drums and bass. "Where Wild Flowers Grow", (third recording) saw Ian and the Reverie 'family' continue to expand to include drums and additional electronics. Ian's latest album 'Down to the River' is a completely home-recorded album inspired by Ian's love of Indian music. The West Midlands has a large Asian community so Ian has enjoyed Asian music and food for many years. The subject matter is inspired by Ian's growing family (two young children), the Sea's magnetism and of course a splashing of the usual daydreams and storytelling with the help of his wife who is Ian's chief lyricist idea. The lyrics on Down to the River were particularly influenced by the poetry of Bauderlaire. The album hopefully captures the elegance and industry of Ian's music which is underpinned with a soulful depth come from living a little. email the-reverie@hotmail.co.uk