DJ Phear - Religious Shadow Mix - Nov 2003

Biography of DJ Phear

The world of intense cadence and rattling bass was introduced to Phear in late 1997, where the sounds of Metalheadz and Adam F were fresh and original amongst a scene of rock and surf punk. Nowhere before had a music such as drum & bass captured an all-over feeling of complete and abstract awareness. It was now time to advance with the flow of this beat-ridden culture, opening doors to a mindset only thought possible for others.

Early influences still remain heavily present today. Finding the Dragon Lounge in San Diego and keeping close to good people, the injection was habit forming. Back to L.A. a year later, most influences were actually a group of underground hip hop heads. As determination would have it, however, he finally met up with like-minded people and got a weekly gig at a late-night coffee joint. Phear then partnered in a weekly club (The Resonance Lab) and found himself digging deeper and deeper, creating and soiling roots in the culture. Vibeflow was the next step. He was given his own broadcasting hours and created what was to become one of the west coast's most successful internet radio shows - Medium Radio. Several One-offs followed, mini-tours began and he now sits as a resident of his own partnered monthly - Muse (http://clubmuse.com); a partnered event know as The Unborn (http://theunborn.la) and is storming the west coast as often as possible. Believing that life mirrors these brokenbeats, you can always find the emotionally-laden strings, off-kiltered drums and chopped breaks at the front of Phear's record bag.

It is a love for the process towards self realization that keeps the creativity on edge. Phear's philosophies take this form and he carries them through each event he partners in, each gig he plays, and every mix he records. The culture of being a DJ has aided much in the growth and sharing of emotion and being. But, life does extend beyond and Phear also finds solace in his design work, keeping his own website as fresh and up-to-date as possible and doing a lot of personal flyer work.

Phear has come to realize his role in the culture extends beyond his involvement and what he physically does for the scene, however. The phrase used to describe himself sums it up - 'drum n bass is the root from which my abstract grows.' His mark has been made by a display of style on the decks, being recognized by his peers as having a unique touch for the art of mixing. Tending to lean towards the emotionally-laden, but loving to keep the crowd guessing, if you try to pigeonhole him into one sound, he'll gladly break that mold.

Hoping to break more not the world of production, he has already started on collborations and solo works. An obvious evolution of the DJ, it is the ultimate expression. Perhaps this is what has drawn him so much to the music- The chance to make it known what words themselves cannot come close to. A sharing of life through the creation of movement.
Phear would like to thank his many influences (DJs, producers and dancers alike), good natured people and all those who have had the decency to show each other respect.