Darsha Hewitt explores concepts such as planned obsolescence, excess within technology and the issues of what to do with old equipment that no longer has a use. She uses DIY electronics to create compositions, often with outdated equipment, and therefore the basis of her music is her equipment, expressed though her human compositions as opposed to human compositions expressed through equipment and instruments.

I find her work very compelling – I have a lot of experience with older music recording equipment as I often work with cassette multitracking machines which are becoming harder and harder to repair and maintain, with tape stocks that are growing ever harder to find. I also build my own DIY equipment, having built oscillators in the past, experimented with home-made tape delays and failed many times to build more complex devices. She inspires me to keep pushing at developing my electronics knowledge and skills, because her abilities unlock a wealth of creative possibilities. This acts almost like a target to aim for, a goal to set for myself, and makes the light at the end of the tunnel just a tad brighter. It also gives me hope that there are other like-minded individuals who enjoy the nostalgia of older devices, and experience the intrigue of playing with electronics that haven’t been touched for countless years.

She asks many questions about the environment, about sustainability, and about human consciousness with regards to an unquenchable need to consume new and exciting devices. This is damaging to both us and our planet; will it ever stop? What can we, as individuals, do to stop ourselves from drowning in oceans of our own cast-away toys? All very interesting, thought provoking art that I thoroughly enjoy.