Darian Donovan Thomas

 Darian Donovan Thomas is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, NYC. He tours the world with Arooj Aftab, Balùn, Wild Up, Moses Sumney, and as a solo artist. His classical compositions have been premiered by Ensemble Signal, Sō Percussion, Adam Tendler, and many others in countries around the global west. Darian is also a ferociously gay Blaxican from Texas. Being at the intersection of so many identities means having the opportunity to speak to and create for multiple people at once. His goal is to create spaces where everyone feels heard, acknowledged, and communicated to. To remind people – even if for just a moment – that they’re alive right now, and present in this moment. 

Safe Space is the live representation of Darian Donovan Thomas’ album A Room With Many Doors. Darian guides audiences through stories of gay heartbreak and self-discovery by his constant act of self-surveillance and acceptance, made sonic by violin, bells, toys, his pedal board, and voice. The album exists as a concrete object, so the live performance is an invitation to improvised fluidity and transformation. 

Darian rids himself of classical trauma and baggage with the help of Eventide, Meris, and Hologram Electronics pedals. These allow his violin to become arpeggiating synths, glittery skies, and roaring sub-bass synths.  With the help of small gifts given to him by friends throughout his career, he creates a vast world for every listener to get lost and sincerely emote within. Darian will alchemize in sound the Safe Space that we’ve been denied by the world.