Darren James Mew (born 23 May 1975), better known as Darren Styles, is a British record producer, disc jockey and singer-songwriter from Colchester, England. Originally a member of the breakbeat hardcore group DJ Force & The Evolution, Darren found success during the 1990s as one half of DJ Force & Styles. The duo were pioneers of happy hardcore and wrote several well-known songs such as "Heart of Gold", "Pretty Green Eyes" and "Paradise & Dreams". In the early 2000s, Darren Styles began producing more trance-influenced records with Mark Brady as Styles & Breeze. The duo released two hit singles "You're Shining" (2004) and "Heartbeatz" (2005) which both reached the Top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. They have been involved in all volumes of the popular Clubland X-Treme Hardcore compilation series. As a solo artist Darren Styles has released two studio albums, the Gold-selling Skydivin' (2008) and Feel the Pressure (2010). He has also frequently collaborated with several other artists such as Hixxy, Ultrabeat and N-Force.
Links To Peel
Peel was a dan of DJ Force & Styles' Fireworks track and when the group split up, he was keen on Darren's work with Styles & Breeze and his solo material. Darren Styles performed a session for Peel's show from his studio and was broadcast on 31 August 2004.
Sessions
John Peel's Darren Styles In The Mix
Darren Styles' Peel Session
1. Recorded: Unknown. Broadcast: 31 August 2004. Repeated: None. No commercial release
- The Theme / Still The One / Thugboy / Getting Better / Crackwhore / Cutting Deep
(JP: 'Well, that'll do very nicely indeed. I understand I've got a bulletin to tell me that that was going down very well in our kitchen at Peel Acres.')
Other Shows Played
2002
- 17 September 2002: Odimok (split single with Hixxy - Together With A Smile) Jelly Baby
2004
- 17 March 2004: 'Skydivin' (12")' (Raverbaby)