Darkroom

Though connected to the wider No-Man circle through vocalist Tim Bowness, the British trio Darkroom operates as an independent unit, clearly removed from both that project and Bowness’s additional endeavors. Its focus centers on atmospheric contemporary club sounds that deliberately incorporate jungle and drum’n’bass patterns alongside inventive structural choices. The musicians have cited Steve Reich, Mouse on Mars, and the Eno/Bowie collaborative albums among their reference points. Alongside Bowness, the lineup consists of keyboardist and programmer Andew Ostler, who records as Os, and guitarist Mike Bearpark, with occasional input from other contributors.

Os and Bowness were already acquainted prior to Darkroom’s formation, the former having supplied No-Man remixes and assisted in establishing the group’s online presence. The initial impetus came from Bowness and Bearpark, who had been working together regularly as Samuel Smiles. After deciding to score the controversial mid-’90s television program Alien Autopsy, the pair launched the new venture, bringing Os in shortly afterward. Performing under the name Collective, the three appeared at various British venues throughout the late ’90s before adopting the Darkroom moniker. Their recorded output comprises the online-only release Seethrough, the Carpetworld EP, and the album Daylight.