Len Arran

I suppose I could call myself an ex-songwriter, Producer and Film Music composer now based in Malta.
Back in the 90s I co-wrote 8 top 40 Singles with Skin and Skunk Anansie including Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good), Twisted, and Brazen (Weep), on 3 Platinum Albums: 'Paranoid and Sunburnt' (1995), ‘Stoosh’ (1997) and ‘Post Orgasmic Chill’ (1999).

It was a huge thrill when the hits ‘Secretly’ was used in the film ‘Cruel Intentions’ (1999), along with other tracks used for ‘Strangedays’ (1995), Mission Impossible (1998), The Avengers (1998) and other film and television credits in Europe and USA.

In 2004 Skin and I worked on her first Solo Album, 'Fleshwounds' followed by 'Fake Chemical State' in March 2006. and in then 2009 the comeback Skunk Anansie album ‘Smashes and Trashes’.

I have worked on music for computer games including the very early Sony Entertainment PC game, ‘Tellurian Defence’ and scored music for the highly commended 'Simon Community' TV Spots. Television work includes music for the acclaimed Paul Davey documentary "Breaking Boundaries" which I loved, and a score for the pilot "The Coalboat Kids".

I spent some amazing years in Ireland and I met and worked with some very talented Directors, Producers and Actors. Some Irish Films include the award winning ‘A Dublin Story’ (2003), and 'Past Pupil' (2005) directed by Graham Cantwell, ‘Push Hands’ (2004) and then in 2007 "New Boy" (2007) directed by Steph Green which was OSCAR® nominated for an ACADEMY AWARD ®.

I was fortunate also to be asked to write tracks for "L'Empire des Loups” (2005), the feature from French director, Chris Nahon and for the British romantic comedy "The Truth About Love" (2006). I have always been a big Soul and Northern Soul fan too, (hey, I'm a Northerner) and I loved writing the score for the Shimmy Marcus Northern Soul feature film “Soulboy” (2010). I also then scored Mason Cardiff‘s “Nowhere in Particular” which was shown at Sundance in 2011. Following that I was lucky to be involved in the absolutely amazing debut Steph Green feature “Run & Jump” (2013). See it if you haven't already.

I produced the album “Broadcast to Anyone Who’ll Listen” by the talented Dublin artist Nigel Place, another album of great songs with the Irish singer Labhaoise Brennan featuring the gifted Spanish viola and violin player Maria Angeles Alcala and many more songs for the ridiculously talented Welsh singer, Kadesha.

In London in 2012 I wrote with singers J Marie Cooper and Indie Murton both of whom appeared on BBC show ‘The Voice 2012’ and in early 2013 worked with wonderful artist Karima Francis on songs for her album. These songs are some of my favourite tracks in the last decade and I play them myself often.
I also was lucky to meet Martha Papaphilippopoulos (yeah, I know PrettyP for short) with her superb explosive voice and we had great fun recording some fabulous songs that I love playing loud in the car. Thanks Martha!

In 2013/14 I joined my old friends Skin, Cass, Ace and Mark (and Erika too), AKA Skunk Anansie, joining them to play acoustic guitar when we headlined the Zermatt Festival in Switzerland before recording and filming a live Skunk Anansie acoustic CD/DVD at Cadogan Hall, London. After that we headed out on tour throughout Europe with the acoustic show and I can't tell you what a great time we all had on that tour playing some absolutely beautiful acoustic venues.

In recent years I have moved on to other things in life after a whole lifetime of playing and writing music. I'm still writing and playing, but my focus is now elsewhere. I am grateful to the universe that I have had such an inspirational rollercoaster of a ride in music, enjoyed some truly amazing moments and made lifelong friends along the way.