Brenda D.

What began as an electronic interlude on the Rockford, Ill., rave scene turned into a full-time passion for DJ/vocalist, Brenda D. In the mid-1990s, Brenda fell hard for the electronic sounds that were igniting the Midwest at the time. Instead of simply joining the party, Brenda orchestrated it, coming at audiences with her self-styled brand of techno and House. Now with more than eight years of DJing experiencing under her, Brenda has carved herself a unique niche on Chicago's House music scene, blending her driving house beats with a kind of feminine finesse that makes audiences take notice.

Brenda's move to Chicago in 1996 saw her joining the ranks the city's esteemed Soul Foundation Kollective, which included heavy house hitters such as Traxx, Frique, Jevon Jackson, Brian Gardner and John Simmons, to name a few. Brenda quickly absorbed their creative influences and landed her first gig at Chicago's Mad Bar in 1999. Soon, she earned a monthly residency at the club and began playing at other underground venues, including Smart Bar, Karma & many others.

In 2004 she and production partner/husband Brian Gardner established their Friday night residency, "Bootlegged" at Moonshine. With help from fellow Soul Foundation member Jevon Jackson, the night has become a weekly underground staple of Chicago's house music scene for the past four years.

"DJing and performing are my passions", says Brenda, who considers her track selection a brand of "forward-thinking house". Her rolling, rhythmic beats create a sonic canopy of sound that resounds with hard energy while maintaining a sense of femininity.

Local press has also taken notice of Brenda's style. "Chicago Scene" magazine featured Brenda D. as one of Chicago's best female DJs in its April 2007 issue. "I can't imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else", she says of her House music craft.

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