Bicycle Corporation presents guest DJ Bert Bevans for its ninth Roots show on Scientific Sound Asia’s electronic music radio station. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia and internationally.
The duo behind Bicycle Corporation are Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Together, they have released more than 50 productions across French House, Deep House, Tech House and Techno.
Marco began his musical career in the early 1990s as part of the crew behind House Music and Techno events including Urban People. His work earned recognition within Italy’s music scene and led to bookings both nationally and internationally.
Stefano, who is from Torino, Italy, showed promise as a musician from a young age. His interest in music led him to classical piano, percussion and drums, alongside an appreciation of artists such as Chopin and the rhythmic complexity of the West African djembe.
Despite these broad musical interests, Stefano was drawn to DJing and to records with beats rarely heard on Italian radio at the time. He pursued that interest alongside Marco, forming Bicycle Corporation and beginning their collaborative musical work.
Marco and Stefano revisit their earlier work through a Bandcamp page where they share their music. The archive gives listeners a way to reconnect with the duo’s catalogue and its earlier releases.
Their weekly Roots radio show spotlights artists from Asia whose immersion in Afrocentric sounds has influenced their electronic music careers. The programme provides a space for regional talent whose musical roots are closely connected to Afrocentric influences.
Alongside Roots, Bicycle Corporation have presented House Music and Techno radio shows within Asia’s radio and electronic music scene. These programmes showcase their knowledge of the styles and contribute to cultural exchange within the region’s electronic music community.
Guest DJ Bert Bevans.
This week, Bicycle Corporation welcomes guest DJ Bert Bevans to their show. Bert Bevans, originally from British Honduras, boasts an illustrious career in the music industry. He first made waves by spinning records at "Block Parties" in Hollis, New York City (NYC), before gracing the decks of iconic NYC clubs such as Studio 54, Paradise Garage, Xenon, Electric Circus, Bonds, and the Playboy Club.
Bert Bevans' family immigrated to New York on July 27, 1969, and made their home in Jamaica, Queens, before later relocating to Hollis, Queens, where Bert spent his teenage years. Following his schooling, Bert pursued studies in aviation, however, he never completed his education. In his own words, he explains, "If I had graduated, I would have had to go to Vietnam, so I left. I still love flying though!"
Bert Bevans describes his journey into becoming a DJ as a "Natural Progression." It all began with spinning records at "Block Parties" in Hollis, Queens, where he honed his skills and ignited a passion for music. From there, his career trajectory seemed to unfold organically, with opportunities presenting themselves along the way.
Bert Bevans never set out with the intention of becoming a DJ. However, fate had other plans for him. While working at Melody's Record Shop, located in New York City, Bert found himself at the epicentre of the city's music scene.
As one of the go-to spots for DJs seeking the latest releases, Melody's attracted a who's who of NYC's DJ community. Bert's genuine passion for music and affable personality resonated with these DJs, leading to invitations to their clubs. From these humble beginnings, Bert's journey as a DJ unfolded, with each club appearance contributing to his rise to prominence in the music industry.
In April of 1977, the legendary Studio 54 opened its doors in New York City, quickly becoming the epitome of nightlife extravagance. It wasn't long before Bert Bevans found himself behind the decks at this iconic venue, spinning tunes for private parties. His debut performance at Studio 54 marked the beginning of a fruitful relationship with the club, as Bert became a regular fixture at its exclusive events.
Studio 54 DJ Richie Kaczor was dispatched to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands to spearhead the opening of a new Studio 54 venue. Following the successful establishment of Studio 54 in St. Thomas, Richie was enlisted to launch yet another iteration of the famed nightclub, this time in Barcelona, Spain. As Richie departed from St. Thomas for his new venture in Barcelona, he entrusted Bert Bevans with the esteemed residency at Studio 54 in the Virgin Islands.
After spending two successful years in the Virgin Islands, Bert Bevans returned to New York City. Shortly thereafter, he received a compelling offer from Steven Hatter, the proprietor of The Embassy, a renowned club in London, UK, to take up a residency.
Bert's exceptional talent and reputation preceded him, earning him another prestigious residency at Xenon, another emerging hot spot in the vibrant London nightlife scene. This period marked a significant chapter in Bert's career as he continued to make waves on both sides of the Atlantic.
Bert Bevans seamlessly integrated into the vibrant London club scene, making notable appearances at venues like Camden Palace, owned by Rusty Egan and Steve Strange of Visage fame. Here, Bert shared the DJ booth with esteemed colleagues such as Colin Favor and "Evil" Eddie Richards, further solidifying his presence in the global electronic music community.
His magnetic performances and undeniable talent led to a whirlwind of opportunities, resulting in Bert frequently jetting between London, New York, and various other cities around the world. This nomadic lifestyle became synonymous with Bert's career as he continued to captivate audiences across continents, leaving an indelible mark on the international club scene.
In 1991, Bert Bevans crossed paths with his old friend Justin Berkmann, who was in the process of constructing a revolutionary "Paradise Garage type sound system" for a groundbreaking new club in London. This club, set to open its doors in September, was none other than the iconic Ministry of Sound.
Bert's involvement with Ministry of Sound marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became an integral part of the club's legendary lineup of DJs, contributing to its status as a global dance music institution. Despite his commitments at Ministry of Sound, Bert continued his jet-setting lifestyle, travelling extensively around the globe to perform at various venues and nightspots.
For the past few years, Bert Bevans has been lending his expertise to Santeri in building "Seduction" in Phuket. This renowned venue has hosted esteemed tours from Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for electronic music enthusiasts. Additionally, Bert played a pivotal role in securing a partnership deal with Café del Mar Ibiza, further elevating Seduction's status within the global dance music community.
In a testament to his versatility and commitment to expanding the electronic music scene, Bert recently contributed to the opening of Ice and Spice Bar in Ho Chi Minh City.
Bicycle Corporation Roots podcast 78 with Bert Bevans opens with Chaka Khan and C C Music Factory’s I’m Every Woman on SONY Music, followed by Elements of Life’s Into My Life on Vega Records. Christopher Williams, Carolyn Griffey, Steve Silk Hurley and Shane D bring Your The One For Me on S&S Records before Boon, Josh Arise, Eddie Cane, DJ Spen and Gary Hudgins appear with All Eyes On Me on Quantize Rec, and DJ Spen, Jovonn and Tasha Lara’e close the opening run with Soulful Storm on Quantize.
Kenny Bobien and Wheeler del Torro’s DJ Spen and Gary Hudgins remix of The Sun Will Shine Again on Nervous Records establishes the programme’s House Music focus. Ten City’s DJ Spen and Thommy Davis extended mix of Devotion on Ultra Music follows, before Loletta Holloway and DJ Meme Mashup’s We’re Getting Stronger on Gold Mine Records leads into Hasper Street Co’s You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration on Nervous Rec.
Maurice Joshua, Joyce Hurley and Oscar P bring We Fall Down on Connected Retouch, while Natasha Kitty Kat’s Days of My Life on Midnight Riot keeps the vocal emphasis in place. War’s Galaxy introduces a Disco turn, before the Jackson 5 Vs MLK remix of Can You Feel It on SONY Music extends the classic-record thread.
Jocelyn Brown and Junior Jack’s Hold Me Up on Defected moves into the final stretch, followed by Ten City’s Lift Every Voice on Basement Records. Robert Owens’ I’ll Be Your Friend in the Def Mix gives way to Cafe 432 and Sheree Hicks’ Thinking Of You on Sound State Records, ending the show with a sequence centred on Soulful House records.
Roots 078 show with Bert Bevans
Chaka Khan & C C Music Factory - I'm Every Woman [SONY Music]
Elements of Life - Into My Life [Vega Records]
Christopher Williams, Carolyn Griffey, Steve Silk Hurley, Shane D - Your The One For Me [S&S Records]
Boon, Josh Arise, Eddie Cane, DJ Spen, Gary Hudgins - All Eyes On Me [Quantize Rec]
DJ Spen & Jovonn & Tasha Lara'e - Soulful Storm [Quantize]
Kenny Bobien & Wheeler del Torro - The Sun Will Shine Again (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Remix) [Nervous Records]
Ten City - Devotion (DJ Spen + Thommy Davis Ext Mix) [Ultra Music]
Loletta Holloway, DJ Meme Mashup - We're Getting Stronger [Gold Mine Records]
Hasper Street Co - You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration [Nervous Rec]
Maurice Joshua, Joyce Hurley, Oscar P - We Fall Down [Connected Retouch]
Natasha Kitty Kat - Days of My Life [Midnight Riot]
War - Galaxy
Jackson 5 Vs MLK Remix - Can You Feel It [SONY Music]
Jocelyn Brown, Junior Jack - Hold Me Up [Defected]
Ten City - Lift Every Voice [Basement Records]
Robert Owens - I'll Be Your Friend [Def Mix]
Cafe 432 & Sheree Hicks - Thinking Of You [Sound State Records]
Listen on Mixcloud here.