Dark Tropics are Belfast-based duo, Rio and Gerard. Their formation was a natural consequence of a shared creative vision, drawing from an eclectic selection of influences, including Radiohead, Aretha Franklin, and The Velvet Underground.
Rooted in a broad spectrum of inspiration from literary giants like William Somerset Maugham and Paul Auster, to the raw poetic stylings of John Cooper Clarke - Rio and Gerard built a partnership founded on instinct and ingenuity. Their sound, described as ‘pop-noir', blends timeless, cinematic elegance with a modern edge, creating music that feels both haunting and exhilarating.
Dark Tropics’ soundscape is driven by analogue instruments and vintage recording techniques, giving their work an authentic, organic feel that resonates with both contemporary and classic sensibilities. Their songs explore the emotional peaks and valleys of the human experience— the burning highs of lust, the fragility of heartache, the sting of betrayal, and the glory of defiance—capturing these universal themes with a depth that is as evocative as it is relatable. The scope of Dark Tropics is limited only by how far down the rabbit hole you wish to follow.