The following interview was published on 29th June 2003.
The 22-year-old Glasgow-born singer-songwriter needs no introduction - since his first appearance on Pop Idol he's become ubiquitous. His debut album, Dive In, is out now.
What's new, pussycat?
I'm swinging my hips and flexing my vocal muscles promoting the album. I finished a tour of the UK last month, something I'd been dreaming about since I was at school, and it really was amazing. I was 16 when I put my first band together, and the tour was the first time I got a chance to my own thing in my own arena, and on my own terms.
Are you satisfied?
I don't get no satisfaction! I always want more out of my songwriting, to improve and become better.
Do you believe in rock 'n' roll?
Rock 'n' roll is my air and my water. Last month, on the road, I was really living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. I love touring. I was lucky enough to have supported Shakira on her world tour, in Paris, and going from that to getting drunk with Counting Crows in Amsterdam at the Paradiso club, where The Rolling Stones were playing - you don't get much better than that.
What happens when the answers they give you aren't good enough?
Just keep on asking more questions! I've always taken on board what people told me, because it's only through trying to get a perspective on yourself and your work that you can improve yourself and learn from your mistakes.
That was something that my mum and dad helped me realise when I was back living with them in Glasgow after being a student in Edinburgh. Whenever I've faced a brick wall and realised that it was maybe too high to climb over, I've tried to find a way around it.
I was asking questions when I was offered a record deal by Simon Cowell. He said, "Darius, I think you're a star, but I'm gonna make you a millionaire." I saw it as a thinly veiled line of flattery to get me to sign. That wasn't good enough. I needed to hear that someone was going to allow me creative freedom and support original music.
Did you ever think there's far too many people in the world?
I don't think there can ever be too much diversity in culture, in music, in cuisine, in language. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. We've gone through a rocky patch with the problems in the Middle East, and what we need now is peace and respect.
How deep is your love?
I'm a very passionate person. I'm passionate about my relationships, whether with my girlfriend, my family or my mates. For me, it's all about respecting one another, and showing people that you appreciate them and that you care. Sometimes the days slip by and you're not able to tell people around you how much you think about them, and how much you care. The last time I spoke to my mum, she said, "Every day, be grateful to someone and thank them for something, and just show someone that you appreciate them." It's a nice thought that there's someone who loves you, even when you think the whole world hates you.
Why do you see it your way?
I wouldn't get any satisfaction if I was at the mercy of a marketing executive telling me what to do, what to wear, what to say and what to be. Doing it my way lets me feel that I've given myself the best chance at giving it the best shot, and it allows me to take on the responsibility - which means I live or die by the success of the decisions I take, the songs that I write, the direction that I choose to take.