Darren Black is a musician with a rapidly growing profile on the folk/acoustic scene. Described by Rock 'n' Reel magazine as 'a name to note', he hails from a quiet corner of the Welsh valleys and carries a heart-felt honesty in his music. Originally a classical violinist, he later taught himself guitar and folk fiddle. Inspired by bands such as Led Zeppelin and the poignant, melodic lyricism of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, musing soon progressed to song-writing. Several spells in underground indie/folk bands got the Jimmy Page out of his system, but ultimately served only to lure him back to his acoustic roots.

Lyrically he writes about what makes him tick, and 'has an incisive flair for blurring the boundaries between the traditional and contemporary'. He also writes a mean fiddle tune! He has played at an array of established folk festivals including the Beverley, Stokes Bay, Saul, Priddy, Two Rivers and the Sunrise Celebration. He has also opened shows for veritable legends and award-winners alike, including Eliza Carthy, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy, Kathryn Tickell, Chris Wood, Karine Polwart and Jim Moray.

2007 saw the release of Darren's debut album, the acclaimed 'Silent Poetry'. After opening several shows for Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy, he was invited to record it at Swarb's home studio. The follow-up 'Thinkers & fools', was released in Sept 2008, this time with an array of instrumental arrangements, and featuring guest musicians including Joe Broughton (who also produced it), Kevin Dempsey and Dave Swarbrick.

Aside from his solo work, he mainly performs with fiddle-player Deborah Peake, as duo 'Black Peak'. Their debut EP 'Tales we might know' was released in September 2009, and they are currently writing material for their debut album, to be recorded later in 2010. He also occasionally plays as a trio with Kevin Dempsey and The Old Dance School's Helen Lancaster, and plays fiddle with Naomi Bedford alongside The Men They Couldn't Hang's Paul Simmonds.