Darnell Cole & The Vibe 6.7.23 Rocknrollas, Paisley

Darnell Cole
Darnell "Big D" Cole is an Independent Rock/Americana artist. As a Blues and Soul musician, his art is centered around his captivating electric guitar, taking one on a journey emotionally and spiritually.

Big D was born in the summer of 1990, in Pasadena, California, to biological parents Marty Murphy and Cemone Curtis. At 4 months old he was adopted by Dennis and Janet Cole where everything changed. His parents performed in a top 40 cover band which allowed music/Instruments to always be accessible. It was commonplace to see Darnell roaming the house with nothing but a diaper and a guitar. At 10 years old, Darnell began playing bass and started experimenting with original music. At age 15, he picked up a guitar and leanrned a few chords and a year later wrote his first song.

From 16-18, he would busk outside his local grocery store/coffee shop, sometimes for 12 hours, 5 days a week, learning new songs, and perfecting his craft. This became his main source of income and one of the biggest contributing factors on his path towards stardom. At 18, he became an EMT, providing the experience of caring for others during their hardest times. Being a frontline responder helped shape his outlook, and his passion for connecting with people. "Music heals the wounds medicine can't fix", is a statement often heard uttered by Big D when asked why he does music.

In 2011, he released his first solo, acoustic album: "Loving Antics", followed up by "On the low" and "For the First Time". A young Darnell was ambitious for bigger and better things, eventually leading to the start of blues rock band: Porcelain Hill.
After a single jam with drummer Sonny Campos, the Porcelain Hill chapter began, first revising and re-approaching old songs from Darnell's existing catalog, to writing fresh, new material. The duo, fronted by Big D, would go on to win several Battle of the Bands, as well as be signed to small indie label, Wright Records. Shortly after their first album, Rock n Rolla, the duo would decide to ditch the label and become an Independent trio, adding Jacob Lucero to play bass on the project.

Darnell, at the helm of Porcelain Hill, would go on to tour 9 different countries, all booked and setup by himself, as well as write and release 2 more albums, and an EP. During this period he would really cut his teeth, opening up for/sharing the stage with more established artists such as Missing Persons, Iron Butterfly, Sister Sledge, Dru Hill, John Illsley, The Wailers, Ana Popovic, Walter Trout, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Bernie Marsden and more! During this time, Big D became a Vintage Guitars Endorser, receiving the honor of having several signature/custom guitars with the company, as well as being featured on several of their publications.

In 2019, he booked a 6 month UK tour for Porcelain Hill, and led the band to victory in several Battle of the Bands despite having bass player lineup changes. This was also the year he really started to breakout individually, earning a spot performing at the Electric Picnic festival in Ireland, alongside such artists as Amy Montgomery, The Strokes, Billie Eilish, and The 1975 to name a few.

Unfortunately, the pandemic in 2020 put a pause on the growth and momentum gained in 2019, but also brought a period of personal growth for Big D as a songwriter, musicain, and performer. In 2021, he wrote and released one more album and one more EP with Porcelian Hill, and toured with the new material until the band disbanded in summer of 2022.
Darnell Cole