"The origins of my DJ career began in Wellington, New Zealand, making original music
with two friends for close to ten years. Then while at university I moved into student radio,
Active 89FM in Wellington, co-hosting a party show on Friday nights known as Heavy Traffick,
and occasionally hosting the Soul Show on Sunday evenings. During this time I landed
DJ residencies around the city.
In December 1997 I moved to Sydney and began DJing on the local party circuit. Within a
year I had my own Thursday night at The Burdekin on Oxford Street called Silk Cuts.
I’ve held residencies and played guest spots in more than 50 Sydney venues including home
nightclub, Candy’s Apartment, Beach Road Hotel, Soho, Establishment, Cruise Bar, Civic Theatre,
Kinselas, just to name a few.
I have a simple motto: deep funk for jazzed souls.
This motto reflects a fundamental philosophy behind my style and
attitude toward DJing.
Funk
This is where my roots lie. The first album I bought was Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall. The
year before my mother helped me buy a compilation album called Solid Gold Hits vol. 23, which
featured such classics as Chic’s Le Freak, Village People’s YMCA, Peaches & Herb’s Shake
Your Groove Thing and Rose Royce’s Love Don’t Live Here Anymore. Technically these are all
disco tracks, but their backbones are strong and funky.
Jazz
This is the freedom of improvisation and the ability to move sideways within the confines
of a straight groove. This is how I approach a dance floor when I’m DJing. You have to be able to r
ead a crowd, to be able to tailor your style for a snug fit in the ears of your audience. Not compromising
yourself, but undulating your rhythms and allowing your musical sensibilities to
accommodate changes in mood.
Soul
What's dance music without soul? I’m not talking about Afro-American music; I’m talking about
music that stirs and swells within you; melodic, sensual rhythms grinding and sifting, but
maintaining a strong anchor to the earth and to your heart.
So in my motto when I refer to “deep funk” and “jazzed souls” I’m also talking about a primal groove
geared towards an audience that’s buzzin’ and who understands where I’m at; laying down music
that is profound, yet uplifting.
The best DJs are diverse in their style, yet are quick to adjust. They are able to play different styles
depending on what the occasion demands. A good DJ should strive to be diverse.
I play a variety of styles:
70s and 80s funk, soul, and disco
80s new romantic, new wave and Top 40
70s and 80s pop-rock
late 80s/early 90s melodic hip-hop
90s acid-jazz and trip-hop
modern nu-jazz and neo-soul
deep house, tech/electro-house, and garage (vocal house)
I can play any event. I enjoy DJing alongside musicians such as saxophonists,
percussionists, guitarists, and vocalists. I can do a warm-up set, peak-time set,
or chill-lounge set.
For enquiries re booking Bryn email djbrynstar@gmail.com or call him on: 0425 203 504.
Alternately you can visit him at his Friday night residency at Martin Place Bar in the city.
