The Loki Project

The Loki Project is essentially a coming-together of two solo singer songwriters who have proved (to date) to be completely incapable of being in a band. Often found arguing with each other on stage, it is not generally difficult for audiences to glean why this may be. In each other, however, they have found a like-minded (ish) partner to enhance each others back catalogues. Says Sassa, there are songs I just wouldnt do on my own any more. Some of them arent appropriate for two people but mostly we find our songs come across better when we sing them together. Darren claims that they were forced together by playing sets on the same bill all the time. Whilst generally playing alone they would often harmonise or play second guitar on each others songs. The problem was that audiences would come up to us and say things like youre cool on your own and stuff but youre soooo much better when you play together complained Darren. Eventually they realised that resistance was useless and formed Loki (or The Loki Project depending on how saucy youre feeling). Most of the early part of their association was spent reworking songs to fit two voices. The sparse nature of eachs solo songs left ample room for new riffs and harmonies and the blending generally worked well. Spending a lot of time holed up In Darrens bedroom was to prove occasionally difficult, however. Sassa: the problem with going round to his place was that its a treasure trove of geeky exitement .It was all too easy to suddenly go from a great music rehearsal to playing Xbox or watching Empire Strikes Back. I learned a great deal about Kevin Smith movies though An occasional remedy to such temptations was to take rehearsals outdoors to the local park or to busking in underpasses. Either way, the set grew and soon they had enough songs to fill whole sets as a duo which they duly took out to local audiences.Sharing vocal and guitar duties was always a given but the pair also share songwriting duties with sets generally being half Sumner and half Millard compositions. The one tune they co-wrote, ballad Hide in Here, also often appears but the pair still generally choose to write individually. The Internet has proved a useful tool in bringing their music outside of the locality. With their own website and message board, largely consisting of international members, the pair have reached the ears of many more than they originally hoped. The challenge that lies ahead is to record an album which captures the spontaneity of their live performances but has a clarity of sound worthy of a studio recording. ..