Fresh Find - Darren Zancan Band
- Freshly Brewed Country
- Nov 29, 2016
- 5 min read
We are happy to announce the talented Darren Zancan Band as our latest Fresh Find here at Freshly Brewed Country!
Behind the heartbreaks and life altering moments is a man, guitar in hand, strumming away, soothing the stuffy air of a crowded venue with his harmonica, singing a song for the person who meant the most to him in life - his father, who Darren lost after a battle with cancer.
Darren Zancan grew up in a musical household where he started singing at the age of 3. He would perform anywhere he could - church, on stage or in his house. His passion to entertain people was evident from a young age, and it drove him toward not only music, but TV and the big screen.
He’s already achieved great success, opening for the likes of Candlebox, Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill, Walk The Line) and Brett Scallions (lead singer of Fuel). He’s performed at Seacrest Studios, founded by Ryan Seacrest, and headlined shows at Hard Rock Nashville and Chicago.
In 2007, Darren joined the set of “Days of Our Lives,” after winning the reality show “I Wanna Be a Soapstar.” He played the character Justin, a forensics analyst. He's appeared in several commercials, TV shows and movies. He was also the spokesmodel for Dawahare's Department store.
In 2008, Darren was dealt the hardest hand in his life - his father, Paul, who was his best friend, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Darren immediately turned to the only thing he knew, which was his guitar. Out came the song “Table for One,” a tribute to his father. His father’s death in 2009 was a wakeup call for Darren. They had a common love of music.
A fire was lit inside Darren, musically, and from that moment he knew it was time to pick up the guitar and share his dad’s legacy, but also build a musical legacy for himself. Music was not a hobby, but a calling, and his dad’s passing became an inspiration for Darren to take his music even more serious.
In October of 2015, Darren along with his band (Ben Fabert, Clint Edwards) started recording his country-debut album “This Life” at the world famous Black Bird Studio in Nashville. Blackbird is owned by country star Martina McBride. Joining Darren’s band on the album includes Chris Rodriguez (Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson), Blair Masters (Garth Brooks) and Matt Pierson (Ben Rector, Jeremy Camp, Big & Rich). “Hold You So Tight” is the first single off the upcoming album.
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We know you want to know more about the Darren Zancan Band so be sure to check out our interview with them.
FBC: What made you want to get involved in the country music world? How do I give you a short answer?
DZB: I grew up listening to alternative rock and rock, and my influences were Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam among others. So I wrote more introverted, deeper lyrics that were hard to decipher because I was telling stories only I really knew about. Then I received the advice I should try and create stories so everyone can relate, which would bring more people into my music. Country does a good job of telling stories that are simple. On top of that, as I began to mature more with my voice, the country genre fit my style the best. I never knew it until I studied and listened to more and more country, but the whole singer/songwriter/Country/Americana fit me well. So between those two scenarios, I felt Country was where I needed to be.
FBC: What do you use for inspiration to write your songs?
DZB: Life. Haha. Sounds cliche, but it's true. I draw from experiences I've personally been a part of or stories I am close to. Music has always been healing for me, and it has helped me in life. Music has been sort of my therapy, so I try and write stories I can express and maybe they will hit home with others.
FBC: What is the back story to your song "Hold You So Tight"?
DZB: Hold You So Tight reminded me of that time before we are truly adults and the only thing in the world that matters is love. When we become adults, we worry about bills, work, and how we will mange to pay for this or do that. But that time in college where you just want to have that "Notebook" love, that's where the song comes from. The song is about that carefree summertime feeling.
FBC: Who is your country music idol and why?
DZB: I never grew up listening solely to Country. Like I said, I was a rock guy. But, there was one Country singer I loved no matter what, and that's George Strait. I fell in love with his song "Carrying Your Love With Me" when I was in high school. To this day, it still is one of my favorite songs. As for right now, I would say Steve Moakler is my favorite Country musician. I've followed him before he was big. I love the way he writes and his style. If I could follow his musical path, that would be perfect.
FBC: What are three fun facts about you that you want your fans to know?
DZB: I was on Days of our Lives in 2007. I won a reality TV show called "I Wanna Be a Soaptstar," where I earned a role as Justin, a forensics analyst, on the show. That was amazing. Other fun facts, I make up raps to the T-Pain iPhone app. If I could make an album of those raps, that would be pretty fantastic. Grilled cheese is my favorite. I could eat it every day.
One other fun fact, when we were recording at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, owned by Martina McBride, I jokingly asked to borrow her candles so I could record my vocals. The interns went into her studio, asked for her candles and walked in with armfuls of candles. So we dimmed the lights and lit the candles. I will say it helped set the mood.
Darren Zancan is honored to have his bandmates who have been with him from the start. Clint Edwards is his guitarist and Ben Fabert is his talented drummer. Follow the band on social media to see what these three musicians have in store for fans next.
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Stay up to date on the latest Darren Zancan Band news by following them on social media.
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