Music is a gift that has long been enjoyed by humankind. It has inspired, moved, lifted, and stirred many a mind, heart and listening ear. D&J is a humble attempt by two young men to interpret, express, and share this gift with all those willing to listen. The formula is simple: Couple friends, a small red room filled with our equipment, our ideas, and our creativity. The mission is clear: Produce a high quality, clean sound...That resonates... The "D" in D&J: Darrin has been writing, recording, mixing, and editing since he was a teenager. He grew up playing saxophone in school, and in high school he expanded to bass, and guitar. He grew up listening to the smooth jazz records his father always played on his stereo in the basement, or in the car. His credits that genre as to why his tracks have a bit of that "smooth" influence to them today, as he constantly heard Boney James, Richard Elliot, and Dave Koz records, "sometimes not by choice!" he says with slight chuckle. He has since gained influences from other artists such as Empire of the Sun, The Heavey, Royksopp, Yppah, Odesza, Kat Edmonson, and many more. The Studio Sessions EP represents for Darrin, his first and most professional sounding release. Darrin wore many hats on this go-around: saxophonist, bassist, guitarist, programmer, arranger, producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, vocalist, and songwriter. With well over 400 hours logged in the red room, listening and tweaking for the better part of a year, this release, he believes, was well worth the wait. The "J" in D&J Justin, an avid poet who has a winsome way with words. He has an incredible gift for hearing a track and immediately crafting lyrical ideas that complement the tracks on the Studio Sessions EP quite nicely! 2 Years fresh out of New York, he met Darrin some months after moving to Illinois and immediately found someone who had a common interest in new, creative, musical ideas. Justin has logged many hours in the red room as well, songwriting, getting just the right takes on his vocals, and lacing in a few keys on the tracks on the EP. This is D&J, finally arrived with many projects on the horizon.