During the eighties Bern discovered the then highly underground psychedelic / electronic music scene, being drawn and influenced by producers from the likes of legendary, Roger waters, Tonto's expanding head band, Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, & then later R.H.Kirk, and early works from Richard D James. It was the inspiration from these pioneers that saw Bern begin to blend all types of genres together, producing eclectic mix tapes for himself & close friends purely for the chill.
His DJ career first kicked off when one of his then and still now close friends "DJ Big Al†insisted he take his blend of electronica, soundscape and deep house to underground parties and clubs across the country. It was from these meager beginnings playing in disused barns and warehouses, that gave Bern the respect and motivation to follow through and take his sound to the masses. It was through no accident that one of these now notorious mixes fell into the tape decks of one of the countries then leading club promoters.
In 1994/95 Bern started at the infamous 'UP FOR IT' nights at the Escape club in Swansea, capturing his audience with marathon 8-12 hour sets of ambient, electronica and only the deepest house sounds. These sets received great acclaim and saw Bern being considered one of the country's leading Electronic/Chill out DJ's, receiving press from a wide range of dance mags and the respect of his peers.
In 1995-96 these sets formed the backbone and saw the natural progression of bern being booked to play more of his Deep House style for the Escape’s House room. His “music for the heads†style saw him become a major player in the initial promotion of the Original Underground Garage scene.
Not restricting his passion for house to one scene, Bern regularly plays alongside artists such as Kenny Dope, Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, Joey Negro, CJ Macintosh and Norman Jay, having held his residency and partying to over 1200 people every weekend ever since. During his time served behind the decks, Bern has gigged all over the globe and played for the likes of Miss Moneypennys, Hard Times and Serious Artists Management to name but a few. He's also been a regular face across the UK’s music media, with press coverage, charts and interviews in Mixmag, Muzik, DJ Magazine, Clubseen, Clubsound, M8 and Seven, not to mention the countless papers and local mags along the way. He is also often heard playing radio mix slots on stations such as Vibe, Kiss, BBC radio, and BBC radio Wales, and highlighting the annual Vibe FM live mix from the infamous Escape’s Party in the Park where he plays to crowds 30,000 strong.
Over the last decade Bern’s style has seen him become known as one of the country's most soulful dj's. The new millennium has brought even greater success, being nominated and picking up the best US House DJ award at the Welsh Music Awards 02. These national awards are held in Cardiff each year to celebrate the best of the countries musical talents which the following year resulted in him receiving the Peoples Vote Award, House DJ of the year.
Currently Bern can be heard online on his slot on Reelhouse radio, the label where he acts as A&R for international artists. He continues to play to his faithful crowds at the Escape Club Swansea each week and is embarking on making 2008 an even greater year.
www.djbern.co.uk