Darkside, the enigmatic electronic duo hailing from New York City, consists of Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington. Their music is a beguiling fusion of electronic, jazz, and psychedelic rock, crafting a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. Jaar’s background in experimental electronic music and Harrington’s roots in guitar-driven psychedelia converge to create a unique blend that defies easy categorisation. The chemistry between the two is palpable, with Jaar’s meticulous production and Harrington’s textured guitar work weaving together in a hypnotic dialogue.
The duo’s influences are diverse and deeply embedded in their sound. Jaar has often cited the experimental electronic pioneers like Aphex Twin and the avant-garde jazz of Alice Coltrane as significant inspirations. Harrington brings in the spirit of classic rock and psychedelic acts such as Pink Floyd and King Crimson, which adds a layer of organic warmth to their electronic foundation. This eclectic mix results in music that is both cerebral and emotive, appealing to fans of multiple genres without ever feeling diluted.
Darkside’s debut album, Psychic, released in 2013, is considered a landmark in modern electronic music. It was recorded in a remarkably short span of time, reportedly just a few days, which adds to the album’s raw and spontaneous feel. One famous anecdote from their early days involves their live shows, where Jaar’s reluctance to perform live was overcome by Harrington’s insistence, leading to a series of performances that transformed the perception of electronic music shows into something more improvisational and band-oriented. This approach has since influenced a wave of electronic acts to incorporate live instrumentation and improvisation into their sets.
The band’s impact has rippled through the music world, with several contemporary artists acknowledging Darkside’s influence on their work. Notably, electronic musicians like Four Tet and Caribou have praised Jaar’s approach to texture and atmosphere, while indie bands experimenting with electronic elements have cited Darkside’s seamless integration of guitars and synths as a guiding example. Their ability to bridge electronic music with live instrumentation has contributed to a broader acceptance of genre-blending in modern music.
After a hiatus that left fans eager for more, Darkside returned with new material that continued to push boundaries while retaining their signature moodiness and depth. Their work remains a testament to the power of collaboration and the magic that can happen when artists from different musical worlds come together. Darkside’s legacy is not just in their recordings but also in how they reshaped expectations around live electronic music performance and inspired a generation to explore the spaces between genres.
