Darian Sahanaja
| Darian Sahanaja | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, pianist, percussionist, arranger |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, mallets, vibes |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Associated acts | Wondermints, the Brian Wilson Band |
Darian Sahanaja is a singer,[1] instrumentalist, songwriter, and arranger who plays in the Brian Wilson band and with The Wondermints. He has also collaborated with numerous other artists in the genre of orchestral/underground pop, including Baby Lemonade, Wonderboy, Aimee Mann, Now People, Lisa Mychols and Donna Summer.
Early life
According to Sahanaja, the first record he ever bought was the Beach Boys greatest hits compilation Endless Summer (1974), and that he "used to take physical beatings from neighborhood boys for being a fan."[2]
Career
Sahanaja worked with Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks in sequencing and arranging the fragments of Wilson's legendary, ill-fated Smile album into a completed work. The album, started by Wilson in 1966 with the Beach Boys, was finally completed in 2004 as a solo artist. Wilson, Sahanaja and the rest of Wilson's band performed Brian Wilson Presents Smile both live, and in the studio.[2]
Along with his duties leading Wilson's touring band, Sahanaja performed alongside The Zombies on the 40th anniversary tour and the 2015 tour of their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. He later performed with Heart at the "Dreamboat Annie Live" concert, writing string arrangements, while also playing percussion, keyboards, and singing background vocals. In 2012, Sahanaja appeared on The Beach Boys' reunion album, That's Why God Made the Radio, and the subsequent anniversary tour, playing keyboards and providing backing vocals. He also sings lead on "Darlin'", originally sung by Carl Wilson, during the concerts.
Sahanaja is also the musical supervisor for the television show The Replacements on ABC and The Disney Channel.
In 2013, Sahanaja was the Supervising Music Consultant and acted as Paul Dano's musical coach for the Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy (2015).[2]
Sahanaja is also the composer for the Disney XD original series Future-Worm!.
References
- ↑ Borack, John M. (2007). Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide. Shake Some Action - PowerPop. pp. 147–. ISBN 9780979771408. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- 1 2 3 Greene, Andy (June 30, 2015). "Meet Brian Wilson's Secret Weapon: Darian Sahanaja". Rolling Stone.