Darby Mills, known for her work as lead vocalist of the Headpins, performs in Nanaimo with her band the Darby Mills Project.

Darby Mills, known for her work as lead vocalist of the Headpins, performs in Nanaimo with her band the Darby Mills Project.

Former lead singer of the Headpins Darby Mills performs in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - Darby Mills performs at the Queen's in Nanaimo Saturday (Sept. 24) at 8 p.m.

Darby Mills is striking out on her own.

She’s created the Darby Mills Project and her second stop introducing audiences to her new endeavour is Nanaimo.

She performs at the Queen’s on Saturday (Sept. 24) at 8 p.m.

After Mills lost her mother and her husband suffered a heart attack, she decided to take her life in a different direction.

“I came to realize how precious life can be,” said Mills. “Have I scratched all those itches? I want to grow a little bit.”

She’ll sing songs from her 1991 album Never Look Back.

“It’s just me going back to my roots,” said Mills.

After the release of her 1991 album, Mills toured with her band Unsung Heroes.

Mills is widely known for her work as the lead vocalist for the Canadian rock group the Headpins.

She said her musical identity was formed long before joining that band.

Prior to performing with Headpins, Mills was part of a seven-piece disco dance band called Business Before Pleasure. Shortly after, she joined the band Steelback.

Although Mills is known for her rock ’n’ roll sound, she said she considers herself more of a blues singer.

Mills said she is looking forward to performing in Nanaimo.

“It’s been really exciting and I am really pumped to get out there,” she said. “I’m grateful the opportunity came into my life.”

Tickets for the Darby Mills Project show at the Queen’s are $22.50 in advance from www.pacificislandentertainment.com/darby-mills-live or $25 at the door.

For more information about Mills, please go to www.darbymills.com.

arts@nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin