For the first time in Christchurch Mansion presents...

Brett Johnson was raised in Dallas Texas and credits his mother's music collection and selections to be his earliest musical influences Soft Cell, Prince, Motown, Human League, Kraftwerk and Stevie Wonder all helped cultivate Brett's own sound - groovy with a techno edge.

In the late 80s, teen-Brett and friends were heavily into the Rap and Hip House and began mixing records and experimenting with what has now been coined as "turntable-ism". In high school, Brett would be introduced to a new crowd and another style, Techno. From this point, Brett's love for all things electronic grew into a deep respect and passion and he found himself growing with what was the beginning Dallas House scene. "The early '90s in Dallas were an amazing time for House and Techno music. I was consumed with producers like MAW, Todd Terry, Kerri Chandler, K.O.T. and the whole NY movement, but then I was exposed to the new Chicago sound that was making waves and fell in love with its playfulness (probably because I've always considered myself a bit of a silly person). I had the chance to hear people like Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Ralphi Rosario, the DiY Crew and Chez Damier (who actually stayed with me for a week and helped me understand that making music was the next step for me)".

Brett's name was growing within the Dallas scene, but it wasn't until a move to Austin that his ideas and motivation really took shape. In '95 a friend gave Brett a drum machine he knew it was just a logical progression to start making music. While saving money and buying gear, Brett continued to build the DJ aspect of his career, but he was consumed with writing music. Over the next four years Brett studied music, absorbed information and learned all he could about the equipment. "I once read an interview with Derrick Carter in a magazine where he said when he was writing music he would always try and raise the bar for himself. Those words really inspired me to imagine the highest goals for my music and self. I really believe in our (human kind) ability to reach whatever goals we set, we are truly an amazing species in that respect.

When Brett started Aesoteric Records with friends in '98, its purpose was to be an outlet to release their music, but it wasn't long before other artists were signed to the label. Iz and Diz, Cpen, Hakan Lidbo and fellow Dallas House heads JT Donaldson, Tim Shumaker and Lance Desardi were all people they thought expressed a similar vibe. The label has given Brett and long-time friend Demarkus Lewis a freedom to do and say what they want without any confusion. "I realized a long time ago that my purpose in life was to make myself and others happy, I have chosen music to be the vehicle to do so".

Brett Johnson has a serious music career ahead, grabbing the attention of Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon's Classic Records for which Brett will be releasing an album with his good friend Dave Barker, as well as DJ Sneak