Meet [IVY]: The new face behind drum & bass that inspires a new generation of producers

Meet Jasmin Bernard, the enigmatic producer and fashion entrepreneur behind the nickname [IVY]. A force of nature and the latest pioneer to emerge on the UK drum and bass scene, she has already made a name for herself with a bold mix of creativity, determination and unwavering passion.

It is in that fusion of diverse influences that [IVY] finds its niche, a high-octane blend of modern drum & bass, gritty 4×4 and the raw dynamism of techno. Having garnered praise from both BBC Radio 1 and festival stages, she's on a furious rise to stardom, and if you haven't heard her work before, her electric new single 'All I Need' is just the place to start.

With fun changes, double drops and hypnotic percussion, [IVY]The sets will keep you on your toes, literally. Tapping into the euphoric buzz of the '90s rave scene, “All I Need” transports us to the summer months and embodies the uninhibited essence of rave.

Using intoxicating old school rave sounds and the sun-ripened melodies of Ibiza's trance days as a touchstone, [IVY] has become an unstoppable force of innovation and tireless experimentation. When he's not killing it at international festivals, he's honing his craft behind the decks or digging through the drum & bass archives in search of his next inspiration.

A secret little connoisseur of vintage house and happy hardcore music. [IVY] has mastered a fusion of genres to create a sound that is both intricate and unpretentious fresh.

“I just go back and dive deep into '90s and '90s mixes.” [IVY] says EDM.com. “I literally spend most of my free time listening to as much music as I can and getting inspired by that.”

Beneath the surface of [IVY]Her dizzying success lies in a history of late-night studio sessions and tireless dedication to her craft, forged behind the decks of Bristol's intimate underground clubs and infused with the electrifying intensity of her days of free partying as a teenager. A true lesson in staying true to yourself and living your vision to the fullest, he has not been fazed by the conservatism of certain drum & bass purists, who have criticized the more experimental characteristics of his releases.

“I've been quite surprised because I personally love everything new and I always try to present new and exciting things to my audience.” [IVY] says. “But it's been a little complicated.”

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Still, he remains as steadfast as ever in his commitment to redefining the sound of modern dance music and inspiring a new generation of drum & bass fans to explore beyond the genre's prescriptive conventions. Armed with each new release, [IVY] seems to be rewriting the rulebook, recasting the familiar impulse of the drum & bass arrangement in a completely original mold.

Being honest about some of the criticism that has come with each trailer, [IVY] explains: “I think the most controversial thing I've been pushing is mixing 4×4 techno kits with more classic drum & bass to create a change in drums. Usually the crowd just lights up and everyone loves it, but there are some people They're just not there for that.”

Her bold pursuit of perfection and infectious energy led to the release of two major singles, “Close To Me” and “Looking 4 Me,” through RCA Records, catapulting her into the spotlight and cementing her status as one of the most exciting talents in the industry. . With a wide range of residencies and awards under her belt, including a nomination for BBC's 'Essential Artists for 2023' and a prestigious mentorship at Hospital Records, [IVY]The hard-earned achievements clearly speak for themselves.

But what he won't always tell you is that his own path to music was far from conventional. Born and raised in rural Brittany, he will be surprised to know that the serene landscapes of [IVY]His youth became the gateway to his musical explorations. It was here that she discovered her passion for electronic music through the magnetic pull of hard dance and free partying, quickly becoming a regular at festivals across the country.

He now fondly remembers his teenage pilgrimages to festivals in the Netherlands and beyond: a lifeline through which he could escape the mundanity of everyday life and immerse himself in the euphoria of the dance floor. [IVY]No doubt's hybrid influences have shaped his own creative arsenal, giving his tracks some of the novelty and dizzying adrenaline of the wonderful hardstyle sound.

But it was a fateful move to Bristol that would allow him [IVY] to finally take on the role of producer and DJ. Crucible of electronic music and powerhouse of the '90s sonic revolution, Bristol has been hailed as the humble mecca of the UK dance scene. As home to drum & bass giants like Roni Size and DJ Krust and muse to many other greats, the city's vibrant underground scene resonated with [IVY]The electrical energy itself and the relentless drive. Drawn to a new world of experimentation, she describes finding her calling in the heady fusion of 4×4 and drum & bass, a marriage of genres that would soon become her signature sound.

But [IVY]'s artistic ambitions extend far beyond the confines of the recording studio. Like the visionary mind behind jazz clothes, has helped redefine the boundaries of UK festival fashion with her boundless creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. A self-made brand conceived when [IVY] Just in her second year of university, Jazzy Garms is produced entirely in-house from bold fabrics and unapologetically bold prints, offering sustainable, handmade rave clothing and statement accessories.

More than just a thriving brand in its own right, Jazzy Garms also offered a conduit into the UK rave scene, allowing [IVY] to get your foot in the door of the industry and solidify your online presence. By funding her initial foray into music production, the brand helped her realize her dream of pursuing a full-time career in the music industry.

“I was studying biomedical sciences in college, so without it I probably would have ended up in a lab somewhere and been out of the creative world,” she says of some of the early challenges she faced as a young producer.

Even amid the whirlwind of his recent chart successes, [IVY] remains steadfast, always committed to her mission of pushing artistic boundaries and inspiring others with her story. “Many people simply don't have the luxury of spending time working on their production,” she adds. “Because Jazzy Garms did so well, I was able to finance that transition into music.”

Juggling a demanding career with her burgeoning fashion brand and her DJ career, it seems [IVY]The motto has been to play hard and work harder. From having to uproot herself to attend college to supporting his brand during the unwanted silence of the pandemic, she seems to have turned every potential setback into another step in her journey.

For too long, the glass ceiling in the drum & bass scene seems to have excluded talented women from record deals and residencies. Even despite the advent of digital music sharing, it has proven too opaque for many producers to see beyond the inequalities and pressures of the music industry. It is both refreshing and calming to listen to artists like [IVY] Lead the conversation about female empowerment through music.

“We just need to get ahead and show men that we are worthy of being here, just as much as they are,” she says, reflecting on her own experiences as a rising artist and producer. The message resonates equally clearly in [IVY]of music, with releases like “Looking 4 Me,” last summer's bold 4×4 track featuring vocalist Ria Leah, which celebrates the invaluable contributions of women to drum & bass culture.

But for a time, things were not so simple and [IVY]The story of is both one of determined dedication and great talent. He now finds himself at the forefront of a new generation of producers and innovators in the contemporary drum & bass scene.

“Ever since I started learning to DJ, even before I played in clubs, I always felt weakened,” she recalls. “Like when we were at a house party, no one would let me go up to the terrace. Even when I started playing in clubs, I was always like, 'You can put your USB here, but you can also bring my USB if you want.'” “And he was always so condescending.”

While the authenticity of their sound has dispelled any accusations of neglected success, it's clear there's still a long way to go.

Like a true internet sensation, [IVY] has used her platform to share her personal insights and foster a meaningful connection with her fans. By offering unparalleled reach and visibility, TikTok and social media platforms in general have driven changes in the industry and allowed artists like her to resonate with audiences around the world.

“Before social media existed, you'd be out of the picture if you couldn't go to raves,” he says. “But now I think only a third of my fans are from the UK and I think it's amazing to have a global community of people who have never heard me play live but are still following my journey and we can still be part of it!”

In fact, between its trove of early bootlegs, which caught the attention of seasoned drum & bass stars like DJ Hybrid and Goddard, and an avalanche of views on both Instagram and TikTok, [IVY] was able to leave his first impression on the scene. After signing with Sony and adding some of Europe's top festival venues to its roster, [IVY] he's not quick to avoid his early days on SoundCloud.

Despite the inevitable limitations of short-form online content, their sound continues to defy the trends of more mainstream branches of dance music. Regularly posting previews of new releases and offering her followers exclusive live content, she continues to grow her dedicated audience on both Instagram and TikTok, digital melting pots for creators and fans alike.

[IVY] points out that, despite its many drawbacks, its algorithms have democratized the playing field and helped launch the careers of emerging artists. “It rewards creativity and good music, rather than just rewarding the biggest artists,” he explains. “I think it's much more inclusive.”

So where do we go from here? [IVY]? He may have “made it” but he makes it clear that in many ways this is just the beginning. Upcoming shows in Hospitality on the beach and Hospitality in the forest just scratches the surface.

“I never thought I'd be playing some of the stages and concerts I have scheduled for this summer,” he gushes. “Just being able to travel as part of my job, or fly to Las Vegas and perform to a crowd of 40,000 people is completely mind-blowing to me!”

You can find “Everything I Need” on streaming platforms here.

Continue [IVY]:

Instagram: instagram.com/ivywubs
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@ivydnb?lang=en
Spotify: tinyurl.com/y7b5jkhp

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