David Harness is an American DJ and producer associated with house, chillout, techno, dance and IDM. He is active in the San Francisco Bay Area club scene and is known for work rooted in deep house and classic garage, with funk and soul also shaping his sound.

Early life and musical influences

Harness travels widely during childhood as a military brat. He hears American music, especially R&B, in many of the countries he lives in, and later describes that familiarity as something that helps him feel secure. His influences include Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Quincy Jones, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Parliament Funkadelic, the Isley Brothers and First Choice.

DJ career

He begins DJing in 1990 at the After Dark in Monterey, California, his hometown. As his reputation grows, he takes residency slots at Tilt and the Sound Factory in San Francisco. In 1994, he opens and DJs at Lift at Club Dv8 in San Francisco.

That same year he joins the radio show Your Mama's House on KMEL FM in the San Francisco Bay Area. The show is described as the only true house mix show on a major Northern California station, and his role on it helps introduce house music to a wider Bay Area audience.

In 1995, he starts a seven-year residency at Club Universe in San Francisco, a regular Saturday-night house event. During this period he DJs alongside figures including Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Little Louie Vega, Tedd Patterson, Dave Morales, Danny Tenaglia, Ricky Morrison, Marques Wyatt, Miguel Migs, Mark Farina and Kaskade.

He also begins an ongoing residency at The End Up Sunday T-Dance in 1996 and at Fag Fridays in 1998. In 1999, he starts Taboo in San Francisco’s Mission District, a weekly house night designed to showcase Bay Area talent alongside internationally known DJs.

Production work and releases

Harness moves into production as his DJ profile grows. In 1996, he is selected to lead studio production for a national marketing campaign for McDonald’s Deluxe Burger.

In 1998, he releases Welcome to the Universe on Universe Sounds and Twisted America. The live CD, recorded at Club Universe, presents San Francisco’s club sound and brings him wider attention. Twisted America then signs him to produce his first single, Get It Together, for the compilation A Little Bit of the Old, A Lot of the New.

In September 2000, he launches DHJ Productions and establishes himself as a producer and remixer. His work includes projects involving Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Simply Red, Alicia Keys, Floetry, Donnie McClurkin, India Arie, NSYNC and Donnell Jones. He also collaborates with DJ/producers Chris Lum of Abitare Music, Jay J of Moulton Studios and Charles Spencer of LoveSlap on several independent releases.

Media coverage

Harness appears in and is interviewed by publications including Billboard, Paper, Surface, XLR8R, Streetsounds, Sweater, HX, Next, URB, DJ Mag and the SF Bay Guardian.