DJ Beej

VITALS

GENRE: House/Trance/Progressive

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: DJBeej.com

FOR FANS OF: Armin Van Buuren, Dave Audé, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold

BIO

Brian J. Ryan, aka DJ Beej, is a creature of the night and one of the guilty parties responsible for the undulating, rhythmic beats pulsing from within the glowing, neon grid at the heart of Clark County, Nevada, but says he was once just a band geek. He grew up the oldest sibling in what he calls a “supportive musical family” along California’s Orange coast. A natural affinity for piano gave way to a love of drums and percussion, a talent he took to the national competitive level in high school and college. Beej even joined the Drum Corps. “There’s a stigma that band is for geeks,” he admits. “But I owe a lot to the regiment it taught me later in life for staying focused and keeping out of trouble.

Now, somewhere on the outskirts of Sin City, DJ Beej is focused on putting the finishing touches on his studio. “My New Year’s resolution was to purify both my thoughts as well as the musical environment I spend my days in,” he says. “I couldn’t be happier with both.”

After becoming immersed in the nightclub scene and being dealt a heavy dose of electronic music, Beej saw possibilities in percussion beyond what his drums were capable of. Soon his taste in music changed as his love of melodies and key progressions developed. Pop tracks were soon overshadowed by dark harmonies. Ultravox, Hans Zimmerman (later known as Hans Zimmer) and Cocteau Twins influenced his as developed his own hard, dark style that could equally be attributed to neo-industrial acts such as Einstürzende Neubauten and Front 242. “I love hearing arrangements that mix both elements of light and dark that help create a Yin-Yang,” Beej says of the fusions. “Opposites that interact within a greater whole.”

He has become known for his remixes among artists as well as fans, with the likes of Paul Oakenfold spinning his work. His latest, a remix of Mikie Smithers’ “West Coast Sun” is available on acropolisRECORDINGS.

“I’ve sat on my laurels in past, content with my individual merits but honestly I’ve never been more focused in the past couple of months than in my entire career,” Beej says optimistically. “I see 2011 as being the starting point for a rich and mature musical library that will be both challenging and rewarding in the years to come.”

Q&A

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO SOMEONE IF THEY NEVER HEARD IT? Undulating rhythmic beats that venture through various mechanisms of melody. My style and influences range per performance. My biggest challenge is to continue to provoke an emotion in my listeners. Good or bad.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR KNOWN ASSOCIATES?
I consider myself very fortunate to stand next to some of these digital shaman: Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Ferry Corsten, Benny Benassi, Cosmic Gate, Roger Sanchez, Fedde Le Grand, Deep Dish. Dave Audé has always been a true friend and a constant source of inspiration.

WHAT’S LIFE LIKE WHEN YOU’RE NOT BEHIND THE TABLES?
I’m an avid movie watcher and consider my AppleTV as one of my prized possessions. My record library is only overshadowed by DJ Daniel, whom I hear has stock in a local storage facility.

ANY FAMOUS LAST WORDS?
I cannot be thankful enough for such a loyal and great fan base. I hope to never let you down. Your inspiration continues to let me grow.

by Don Stefanovich