Darian Sahanaja is a musician, singer, composer from Los Angeles, CA. As a young child, his world changed when he first heard the song I Get Around on the radio and, with his saved up allowance, bought his very first album Endless Summer by the Beach Boys. His interest and talent in music developed throughout his high school years, studying the vibraphone with original Wrecking Crew percussionist Gene Estes, and performing with the California All-Star Jazz Band at the Monterey Jazz Festival. After receiving a Herb Alpert scholarship, he studied music and art at Cal State University Northridge.
Darian formed the neo-pop band Wondermints with Nick Walusko and became an integral presence in the burgeoning L.A. pop movement of the mid-90’s. Their songs were placed in television and in films such as Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery. Their original music and live performances caught the attention of Beach Boy genius Brian Wilson, who in 1998 insisted that Wondermints be part of his touring band, an enterprise that endured for a quarter century.
Upon joining the Brian Wilson band, Darian would immediately become the de facto Musical Director, and in 2001 assisted Phil Ramone as co-musical director for The All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson at Radio City Music Hall, working alongside Elton John, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, David Crosby, and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart (with whom Darian would later tour as a keyboardist), among others.
In 2002, Darian was one of only a handful of American musicians to perform at Buckingham Palace for the Queen at her Golden Jubilee, sharing the stage with the likes of Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Rod Stewart.
From 2003 into 2004, Darian dedicated himself to the realization of Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE which, in addition to having become one of the most prestigious Grammy-winning releases of this millennium, has ranked among the 50 Greatest Concerts of the Last 50 Years by Rolling Stone. In 2008-2009 he toured with the Zombies reunion as supporting musician on the 40th Anniversary performances of their baroque masterpiece album Odessey & Oracle. While not on the road, Darian composed the scores of several animated series for Disney Television.
In 2012, Darian became a member of the touring Beach Boys for their 50th Anniversary Celebration tour. The following year he was hired as both musical coach to actor Paul Dano (for his role as Brian Wilson) and Supervising Musical Consultant for the highly acclaimed film Love and Mercy, providing a unique perspective on the working studio scenes.
Most recently, Darian produced Brian Wilson’s album At My Piano and a track for the upcoming posthumous Glen Campbell album Duets. He is the composer for the first piece, Then, of Steve! the newly released Apple TV+ 2-part documentary about legendary comedian Steve Martin. Additionally, Darian has composed music for the upcoming Andy Kaufman documentary, Thank You Very Much.