When Point Cook musician Darren Hart received an email from Prince’s manager he didn’t know what to think.
At first, he thought it might have been a scam.
Having idolised the superstar American singer behind such hits as Purple Rain and When Doves Cry, it was a dream come true.
“It [the email] came out of the blue,” Hart says. “His manager said, ‘Prince likes what you’re doing with your music’.”
But that was just the beginning.
The former Heathdale Christian College student, who makes music under the name Harts, then received a phone call which changed his life – it was Prince.
“He had heard my music and seen my YouTube performances and he invited me over to his studio in Minneapolis,” Hart said.
“I spent a week with him playing with his musicians. It was a mind-blowing experience.
“When I got the email I’ll admit I was a little sceptical, but my manager looked into it and realised it was legitimate. When I received the phone call, I recognised his voice.
“He’s an idol and to hear him say he enjoyed my music was a huge confidence boost.”
Classifying his music as a “blend of rock, funk, soul and pop”, Hart has just released his debut self-produced album, Daydreamer, in which he sings and plays all the instruments, including guitar, drums and keyboard.
The 23-year-old has been described by radio station Triple J as a “one man music-making machine”.
Hart will now take his album on the road and plans to work on a new project with Nick Littlemore of Australian electronic duo, Empire of the Sun.
For more details, visit www.hartsmusic.com.
Point Cook musician Darren Hart. Photo: Joe Mastroianni
