Youngr

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Youngr

| image = PkYE5lPn.jpg

| origin = Urmston, England

| birth_name = Dario Younger Brigham-Bowes

| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|27 February 1989}}

| birth_place = Urmston, England

| genre = Pop, dance-pop

| years_active = 2012 – present

| instruments =

| label = {{hlist|Island Records|Armada Music}}

| associated_acts = {{hlist|Kid Creole and the Coconuts|Tove Lo|Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.youngrmusic.com}}

}}

Youngr (Dario Younger Brigham-Bowes, also known as Dario Darnell) is a British singer, songwriter, producer and musician. The son of August Darnell (alias Kid Creole of Kid Creole and the Coconuts), he was born in Urmston, near Manchester, England, on 27 February 1989. He began his music career in 2012, forming Liverpool-based act Picture Book with his brother Lorne Ashley Brigham-Bowes. He has recorded and performed as a solo artist under the name Youngr since 2016.

Picture Book

The two multi-instrumentalist brothers attended university at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where they developed their musical skills, collaborated with other artists, and developed the electronic dance sound that characterized Picture Book's debut EP At Last, released 6 February 2012.{{citation |url=https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine/features/m-meets-picture-book/ | title=Picture Book | publisher=PRS for Music | author=Anita Awbi | date=26 January 2012 | access-date=26 April 2021}} The brothers co-wrote and co-recorded the tracks with singer-songwriter Greta Svabo Bech,{{citation |url=http://www.saladdaysmag.com/picture-book-feat-greta-svabo-bech-announce-new-ep-at-last/ | title=PICTURE BOOK (FEAT. GRETA SVABO BECH) ANNOUNCE NEW EP 'AT LAST' | publisher=Salad Days Magazine | access-date=15 April 2021}} whose contributions to the project gained her the notoriety that led to her collaboration with Deadmau5 on "Raise Your Weapon."{{citation |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music/picture-book-singer-greta-svabo-3387545 | title= Picture Book singer Greta Svabo Bech on how she came to feature in a Deadmau5 set | publisher=Liverpool Echo | date=10 December 2010 | access-date=15 April 2021}}

A notable early credit from these years was the brothers' co-write of the track "My Love" from Cher's 2013 album Closer to the Truth.

When Bech left the Picture Book project, Dario took over front-man duties for the band,{{citation |url=https://subfranticmusic.com/youngr/ | title= Youngr - Live In Session | publisher=Subfrantic Music | access-date=23 April 2021}} which they renamed Stony Browder Jr. after the brothers' late uncle, who had led their father's first project, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/theater/dapper-as-ever-kid-creole-dresses-up-his-songs-for-a-new-musical.html | title= Dapper as Ever, Kid Creole Dresses Up His Songs for a New Musical | author=Jon Pareles | work=New York Times | date=19 May 2016 | access-date=23 April 2021}} Dario's brother Ash continued to lead Stony Browder Jr. after Dario embarked on his solo career as Youngr.

Solo career

Dario began to gain popularity as a solo artist partly through a series of one-take performance videos he released on Facebook and his YouTube channel,{{citation |url=https://www.purplesneakers.com.au/2016/05/watch-youngr-out-of-my-system/ | title= YOUNGR ONLY NEEDS ONE TAKE FOR HIS 'OUT OF MY SYSTEM' VIDEO | publisher=Purple Sneakers | first=Cailey | last=Moroney | access-date=15 April 2021}} covering artists such as Daft Punk, Dua Lipa, Tove Lo, Linkin Park, and Jamiroquai.{{citation |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7775031/youngr-monsters-video | title= Youngr Unveils Video For 'Monsters': Premiere | publisher=Billboard | first=Da'Shan | last=Smith | date=25 April 2017 | access-date=26 April 2021}}{{Citation |title=Youngr - Linkin Park Bootleg (Live From Llamaland Studios) | date=24 February 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLIrSnU_n9o |language=en |access-date=2022-10-06}}{{Citation |title=Youngr - The Jamiroquai Bootleg (Live From Llamaland Studios) | date=12 August 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_wUdVFTe4U |language=en |access-date=2022-10-06}} Jamiroquai's lead singer, Jay Kay, specifically name-checked Youngr's live mashup of his band's songs, which included "Virtual Insanity", "Little L", "Cosmic Girl", and "Canned Heat".{{Cite tweet |access-date=2023-03-04 |user=Jamiroquai |number=1577735381100945408 |title=Had a great chat... |language=en}}

In April 2016, he released the track "Out of My System."{{citation |url=https://eqmusicblog.com/emerging-artist-youngr/# | title= EMERGING ARTIST: YOUNGR | publisher=EQ Music Blog | first=Mandy | last=Rogers | date=13 May 2016 | access-date=15 April 2021}} It became a viral hit, and 10 months later had been streamed 20 million times on Spotify, a total that later rose to over 37 million. Following its success he went out on a world tour, which included a 27 February 2017, show at the O2 ABC.{{citation |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/electro-pop-artist-youngr-love-12644624 | title= Electro-pop artist Youngr on his love of Scotland and collaborating with Simply Red | publisher=Glasgow Live | author=Rebecca Parker |date=25 February 2017 | access-date=23 April 2021}} While on tour, he collaborated on remixes with artists in South America and India.{{citation |url=https://earmilk.com/2017/01/27/watch-youngr-reinvent-out-of-my-system-with-los-tetas-kutle-khan/ | title= Watch Youngr reinvent "Out of My System" with Los Tetas & Kutle Khan | publisher=Earmilk | first=Steph | last=Evans | date=1 January 2017 | access-date=15 April 2021}}

A second viral hit came with his bootleg of The Temper Trap’s "Sweet Disposition", which was viewed over 15 million times in its first two weeks.{{citation |url=http://www.thenocturnaltimes.com/youngr-soars-to-greater-heights-as-superman/ | title= Youngr Soars to Greater Heights as "Superman" | publisher=The Nocturnal Times | author=Chris Varvaro |date=4 November 2019 | access-date=23 April 2021}}

On the strength of these hits Dario signed a deal with Island Records, which re-released "Out of My System." His subsequent releases included the single "Monsters" on April 14, 2017,{{citation |url=https://variancemagazine.com/features/7598-youngr-sxsw-interview-new-music | title= Interview: Youngr Talks Album Plans, Teases Steve Aoki Collaboration | publisher=Variance | first=Jonathan | last=Robles | date=27 March 2017 | access-date=15 April 2021}} the video for which was premiered by Billboard on April 25;,{{citation |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7775031/youngr-monsters-video | title= Youngr Unveils Video For 'Monsters': Premiere | publisher=Billboard | first=Da'Shan | last=Smith | date=25 April 2017 | access-date=26 April 2021}} the September 2017 single "What's Next," co-written and co-produced with Asia Whiteacre;{{citation |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Youngr-Release-New-Single-Whats-Next-via-Island-Records-20170922 | title= Youngr Release New Single 'What's Next' via Island Records | publisher=Broadway World | date=22 September 2017 | access-date=15 April 2021}} and "Space for Us," a collaboration with Wingtip.{{citation |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8062511/wingtip-space-collab-youngr | title= Wingtip Makes 'Space' For Himself On New Collab with Youngr: Exclusive | publisher=Billboard | first=Bryan | last=Kress | date=7 December 2017 | access-date=26 April 2021}} In January 2018 Island released Youngr's debut album This Is Not an Album, which collected his releases from the previous year{{citation |url=https://www.female.com.au/younger-this-is-not-an-album.htm | title= Younger This Is Not An Album | publisher=Female.com.au | access-date=26 April 2021}} and also included the new single "Ooh Lordy".{{citation |url=https://variancemagazine.com/sounds/8789-youngr-s-new-single-ooh-lordy-is-the-perfect-friday-dance-jam | title= Youngr's New Single 'Ooh Lordy' Is the Perfect Friday Dance Jam | publisher=Variance | first=Tyler | last=Schmitt | date=5 January 2018 | access-date=15 April 2021}}

In May of that year he applied his talents to a tourism promotion for Visit Jersey, filming a video of himself performing on various instruments, at different locations on the island, a remix he had previously recorded of the soundtrack to the BBC detective series Bergerac.{{citation |url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2018/05/31/bergerac-tune-remixed-for-youtube-video/ | title= Bergerac tune remixed for YouTube video | publisher=Jersey Evening Post | first=Ian | last=Heath | date=31 May 2018 | access-date=15 April 2021}}

Also in 2018 he teamed with Armin van Buuren's record label Armada Music to release a bootleg.{{citation |url=https://findyoursounds.com/2019/07/20/multi-instrumentalist-youngr-signs-with-armada-music-and-drops-new-single-nightcrawling/ | title= MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST YOUNGR SIGNS WITH ARMADA MUSIC AND DROPS NEW SINGLE: 'NIGHTCRAWLING' | publisher=FindYourSounds | date=20 July 2019 | access-date=23 April 2021}} That led to his signing an exclusive deal on 19 July 2019 with Armada,{{citation |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Multi-Instrumentalist-Youngr-Signs-With-Armada-Music-And-Drops-New-Single-NIGHTCRAWLING-20190719 | title= Multi-Instrumentalist Youngr Signs With Armada Music And Drops New Single NIGHTCRAWLING | publisher=Broadway World | date=19 July 2019 | access-date=15 April 2021}} which released that summer and fall his singles "Nightcrawling," "Delusional,"{{citation |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2019/10/25/youngr-interview-rollacoaster-aw19/ | title= Youngr | publisher=Wonderland Magazine | date=25 October 2019 | access-date=15 April 2021}} and "Superman."{{citation |url=https://www.freshmusicfreaks.com/this-weeks-new-tracks-will-have-you-pressing-rewind-to-put-them-on-rotate-again-fresh-music/| title= THIS WEEK'S NEW TRACKS WILL HAVE YOU PRESSING 'REWIND' TO PUT THEM ON 'ROTATE' AGAIN - FRESH MUSIC | publisher=Fresh Music Freaks | date=4 October 2019 | access-date=23 April 2021}}

In 2020 he released his album Memories on Armada,{{citation |url=https://themusicessentials.com/interviews/youngr/ | title= T.H.E Interview – Youngr | author=Akshay Bhanawat | publisher=T.H.E. Music Essentials | date=14 February 2020 | access-date=23 April 2021}} described as "a ten-track journey through Youngr’s life experiences,",{{citation |url=https://edmjunkies.com/youngr-paints-a-bigger-picture-with-first-ever-album-memories/ | title= Youngr Paints A Bigger Picture With First-Ever Album: 'Memories' | author=Frances Guay | publisher=EDM Junkies | date=31 January 2020 | access-date=23 April 2021}} followed by a mixtape, Bootleg Mix Vol. 1,{{cn|date=July 2023}} a collection of Youngr bootlegs from Armada's back catalog, to which the label had given the artist full access.{{citation |url=http://www.thenocturnaltimes.com/youngrs-bootleg-mixtape-vol-01-arrives-as-one-of-the-years-top-mixtapes/ | title= INTERVIEW: Youngr's 'Bootleg Mixtape Vol. 01' Arrives as one of the Year's Top Mixtapes | publisher=The Nocturnal Times | date=23 September 2020 | access-date=23 April 2021}} The mixtape led off with a reworking of Autoerotique's "Count On You."{{citation |url=https://findyoursounds.com/2020/08/07/youngr-releases-first-track-of-upcoming-bootleg-mixtapeautoerotique-count-on-you-youngr-bootleg/ | title= YOUNGR RELEASES FIRST TRACK OF UPCOMING BOOTLEG MIXTAPE:AUTOEROTIQUE – COUNT ON YOU (YOUNGR BOOTLEG) | publisher=Find Your Sounds | date=7 August 2020 | access-date=23 April 2021}}

On tour, he has performed in 45 countries,{{citation |url=https://thebackstageaccess.com/index.php/2020/01/31/youngr-paints-a-bigger-picture-with-first-ever-album-memories/ | title= YOUNGR PAINTS A BIGGER PICTURE WITH FIRST-EVER ALBUM: 'MEMORIES' | author=JessicaFra | publisher=The Backstage Access | date=31 January 2020 | access-date=23 April 2021}} at festivals including SXSW, Latitude Festival, Ultra Music Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival and The Meadows Music & Arts Festival,{{citation |url=https://subfranticmusic.com/youngr/ | title= Youngr - Live In Session | publisher=Subfrantic Music | access-date=23 April 2021}} and at Ministry of Sound's birthday jam in September 2019.{{citation |url=https://www.ministryofsound.com/posts/articles/2019/july/youngr-announced-for-ministry-of-sound-birthday/ | title= Youngr Announced For Ministry of Sound Birthday | publisher=Ministry of Sound | access-date=23 April 2021}}

In 2021 he took part in Simon Cowell/Syco's new music competition for ITV called Walk the Line. Youngr appeared as the opening act on the second episode, broadcast on 13 December 2021, performing a version of his 2018 single "Ooh Lordy".{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/one-to-watch-youngr-premieres-vertical-drive-video__22712/|title=One to watch: Youngr premieres vertical Drive video|website=www.officialcharts.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gscene.com/arts/music/music-review-translation-please/|title=MUSIC REVIEW: TranSLatION please?|date=June 10, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pedal-of-the-day.com/2018/01/25/weekly-interview-1-25-18-dario-darnell-youngr/|title=Weekly Interview Series 1/25/18: Dario Darnell (Youngr) - Pedal of the Day|website=www.pedal-of-the-day.com}} However, he was eliminated from the competition at that point, with the reigning champion Ella Rothwell{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/bristol-born-singer-ella-rothwell-6339743|title=Bristol-born singer wins the first round of Walk The Line|first=Kiera Jessica|last=Marchant|date=December 12, 2021|website=BristolLive}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/review/UK/13442/Read|title=Rothwell|website=Music-News.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicmusingsandsuch.com/musicmusingsandsuch/2017/11/14/interview-rothwell|title=INTERVIEW: Rothwell|website=Music Musings & Such|date=14 November 2017 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialrothwell.com/|title=Rothwell Official|website=rothwell}} going through to the third episode.

Discography

=Albums and EPs=

; With Picture Book

2012: At Last (EP)

; As Youngr

2018: This is Not an Album (Island Records)
2018: Obsession (EP) (Island Records)
2020: Memories (Armada Music)
2020: Bootleg Mix Vol. 1 (Armada Music)

= Singles =

2016: "Out of My System" (Island Records)
2016: "Too Keen" (Island Records)
2017: "'93" (Island Records)
2017: "Monsters" (Island Records)
2017: "What's Next" (Island Records)
2017: "Stronger" (Island Records)
2017: "Give It Up" (with Endor) (Island Records)
2018: "Lost in Translation (Remixes)" (Island Records)
2018: "Remember" (Island Records)
2018: "Ooh Lordy" (Island Records)
2019: "Nightcrawling" (Armada Music)
2019: "Superman" (Armada Music)
2019: "Delusional" (feat. ilselena) (Armada Music)
2021: "Brothers and Sisters" (Armada Music)
2021: "Boy from Manchester" (Armada Music)
2021: "Wild Kids" (with Black Tiger Sex Machine) (Kannibalen Records){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/wild-kids-single/1582881296 |title=Wild Kids - Single by Black Tiger Sex Machine & Youngr on Apple Music |website=Apple Music |accessdate=18 September 2021}}

References

Category:English male songwriters

Category:English record producers

Category:English male musicians

Category:1989 births

Category:Armada Music artists

Category:Living people