DJ Brad - From Us to You 5 - 2001

Biography of DJ Brad

A veteran of both the Los Angeles and San Francisco underground rave scenes, DJ Brad has been spinning techno since 1992. His interest in the environment, yoga, and his philosophical nature are conveyed in his musical choices. Over the years Brad has been an integral member of many innovative and successful groups including Moontribe, Tropical, and Mother Earth Sound System. 'I have my most profound experiences playing and dancing in the Desert under a full moon.' He can energize any crowd with his seamless mixing, whether in a warehouse, intimate club, or out in the open Desert.

DJ Brad defies classification by experimenting with a variety of musical genres. Often cutting between tech-house, electro, techno, and trance, Brad says, 'Whatever I play usually has an organic, tribal, funky feel and is a big head trip.' In his solo DJ mix CDs, Together, Integration and Ecstaticacti, he blends many intricate soundscapes to create the flow and funkiness that is essential DJ Brad.

This mixing master has held multiple West Coast residencies. DJ Brad describes the rotating outdoor event Moontribe as a 'vibrant, magical community that struck a deep chord with me.' Brad is featured on Moontribe's compilation Sound Without Walls, voted by Spin Magazine (June 2000) as one of the top eight trance compilations of all time. Brad also raised the temperature at Tropical, one of Los Angeles's premiere underground house or tek-house events during his residency from 1998-2002. DJ Brad can be found on the Tropical House mix tape series volumes two, three, and five with DJ's Jason Blakemore, Mr. Annand, and John Kelley respectively.

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Brad's earliest musical influence was his father. 'He was instrumental in developing my love [of music] through his constant exploration of new music [which] he enthusiastically shared with me.' From the age of ten, Brad spent his allowance on records, devouring each new style and sound from rap to new wave, ska, reggae, and early 80's electro dance music. While studying English Literature at UCLA, he paid his college tuition by practicing his newfound scratching and beat matching skills as a mobile DJ. Brad's DJ talent was soon noticed in both Los Angeles and San Francisco where Brad explainsâ 'a pivotal moment occurred at Come-Unity (SF) where I watched Jeno spin such a moving set that I was inspired to take my own Djing to a deeper more meaningful level.' Along with communicating to people through music, Brad holds an M.A. in Environmental Public Policy and has worked in the environmental activist community for many years.

DJ Brad's eclectic mixes flow smoothly, taking the listener on a musical journey where time and space seem to disappear. Using the language of music to unite and celebrate the earth and humanity is Brad's goal. 'I see people getting involved in this wonderful, beautiful, dynamic culture, they are coming away with an experience they never knew existed before. They discover that people dancing as one, a ritual old as society, is very liberating.'