darwin smith

In his treatise on information theory, writer Marshall McLuhan, known for his medium is the message mantra, emphasizes the idea that the quantity of information in a message is inversely proportional to an audiences ability to predict the message. Essentially, from an artists perspective, the more a work (or message) transcends clichés, challenges assumptions, and subverts expectations, the richer the information in it. This idea has profoundly influenced the work of artist/ producer Darwin Smith. Actively producing artists for more than fifteen years, the 36 year old musician has both worked with legendary artists and has played mentor to countless up-and-coming artistsresulting in a bold and timeless body of work. Beginning with an early obsession with the Beatlesentwined with involvement in his childrens church choir, Darwin went on to write music not only for his childhood bands, but also school drama productions and his own movies. At nineteen, Darwin moved from Oklahoma to Austin, Texas to open a recording studio. Although it would ultimately take several years to realize his dream, Darwin in the meantime attended the University of Texas immersing himself in the schools elite film production program and the audio program as well. Simultaneously, Darwin began to perform in the Austin area as a guitarist, developing his unique guitar style that would ultimately result in gigs and sessions with literally dozens of Austin artists and also artists of a national profile. Some notable examples include: a stint performing and recording with legendary Austin icon Daniel Johnston and touring and recording with enigmatic Los Angeles songwriter David Baerwald as a part of his New Folk Underground ensemble on Lost Highway Records. It is through many of these musical associations through the years that Darwin has assembled a stable of stellar session musicians for his projects. These musicians, many of them veritable legends, combined with Darwin's unique arrangement and production skills have resulted in a number of critically lauded and respected releases by various artists.