For the past 10 years, Darius Lux has been on the move. In 2004, the musician and his wife spent a year traveling around the world. When they returned to reality, they settled in Hawaii for a while, then spent time in Southern California before packing up their RV and touring for two years. As we’ve heard on more than one occasion, Sedona lured the couple with its beauty – and the promise of multiple gigs – and they settled here in October 2015. Now Darius plays the music he calls “soulful and uplifting” four nights a week at venues all over Sedona. “This has been the best year of my life,” he says. “I feel like I’ve picked up from where I left off in another lifetime. I’m blown away by the musicians in Arizona, and the friendships we’ve made have been so natural.”
Darius was born in England and raised outside of London. He began playing the piano and violin when he was 7 and trained at The Purcell School, a music conservatory. In 1994, he won a plane ticket to New York, so he crossed the pond. He wound up majoring in music at Sarah Lawrence College. After graduating, he went to work in the music industry and spent years writing songs for other people – like Daryl Hall and Jennifer Lopez. “It became less about the music and more about politics,” he says. “I would write a song a day, and the songs became disposable.” Thus the giving it all up to travel the world.
Darius performs solo and as a trio with fellow Sedona musicians Eddy Barattini and Troy Perkins. His shows are a mix of originals and covers – everyone from The Beatles to Bruno Mars to Bob Marley. Darius has released four albums, and he’s getting ready to release No. 5, recorded in his Sedona home studio, early next year. After that, Darius says he’s not sure what’s next, but he’s definitely not eager to get back on the road. “There are such diverse audiences here,” he says. “Sedona attracts an international crowd, and that’s why I don’t feel the need to tour. We can bring the mountain to Muhammad.” – Erika Ayn Finch. Photo by Jami Matlock.
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
