With the Crash Test Dummies taking an extended holiday, the band's talented multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Darvill has had a lot more time to concentrate on his own solo projects.

Last year alone, Darvill released two distinctively different albums on his own independent label, Husky Records (www.huskyrecords.com).

B. Darvill's Wild West Show is an eclectic mix of orchestral soundscapes, old movie soundtracks and spaghetti western kitsch over a bed of techno and drum 'n' bass beats.

Darvill's latest album, 01, released under the moniker Son of Dave, was written over a four-year period during breaks from his Dummies duties.

"I'd sit down and write and record maybe two or three songs," says Darvill, who is playing Wednesday night at Mount Royal College's Liberty Lounge.

"Then I'd have to get back to work and go away for a long time, and come back and write two or three other songs."

The influence of blues and R&B on the 33-year-old Winnipeg native is evident in the laid-back, funky grooves that pepper the album.

Wailing harmonicas, tasteful guitars and deep, sensual beats blend together in a slick, flavourful pop production.

"I get so many people congratulating me on the album and on the show -- It's beyond me," he admits.

"I've lived with these tunes for too many years now. But I like them and I think they're fine.

"Not to brag, but people have been super enthusiastic about this ... They'll just stand and listen politely and then just cheer when it's done. It freaks me out."

Although based in Toronto for the moment, Darvill spent several years in London, England soaking up the culture and the music.

While in the U.K., he met musician and songwriter Stephen Patman, former singer of English psychedelic shoegazers Chapterhouse, who became his main collaborator.

Patman produced 01 and also plays guitar on the Son of Dave tour, along with CTD bassist Dan Roberts.

"I think we had really different musical tastes at first," says Darvill.

"People are in different phases and on different elevators going up and down, and trying to get off on the same floor is a little tricky. But we managed."

Though he hopes music fans will warm to his new material, Darvill doesn't expect it to have the same worldwide appeal as the Crash Test Dummies.

"I think these albums are good and I think they should be heard," he says.

"But I don't see any of the songs becoming an international top 10 smash hit.

"Then again, they're just strange enough for that to happen."