Bruce Automatic Vanderveer
BornNovember 21
Other namesAutomatic
Occupation(s)Music producer, record label owner, audio engineer, Sony/ATV Music Publishing producer

Bruce Vanderveer, professionally known as Automatic, is a Grammy-nominated American record producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is currently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and is the CEO/co-founder of the entertainment company InRage Entertainment.

On his first production job, Automatic worked directly with Michael Jackson. Automatic has worked with artists such as Pink, Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Fabolous, James Brown and Raven Simone. In 2009, Automatic produced the #2 song on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales Chart, Cradle to the Grave, recorded by American Idol's Bettina Bush. His latest K-Pop record, "Rock The World", was recorded by K-Pop sensation JYJ's Kim Junsu (Xia).[1] Featuring The Quiett and Automatic himself, the record was released on May 30, 2016 as the lead single from Xia's fourth studio album, Xignature, which peaked at number 14 on Billboard's World Albums chart. The Grammy-nominated producer also co-wrote the song "I'm Gonna Be a Star" alongside Ebony Rae Vanderveer, Park Jinyoung and Olltii. The South Korean girl group Twice recorded the song which served as the theme song for the 2015 reality girl group survival show Sixteen. Automatic also produced Xia's 2012 hit single "Uncommitted" which peaked at number 1 on South Korea's Gaon albums chart and number 19 on Billboard's Korea K-Pop Hot 100 chart.

Early life

Automatic was born in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York; raised in Flatbush and Red Hook, Brooklyn to a 16-year-old mother and raised by one of the most infamous drug dealers of New York City. He never met his biological father. Of Black-American and Japanese descent, Automatic was taught in the traditions of Buddhism from a young age. While many of his peers were involved in illegal activities, Automatic's attraction to music kept him from the dangers of the rough city streets of his neighborhood. His first encounter with a guitar lent to his name, Automatic. There was a little boy who lived next door to Automatic that played the guitar every day. Automatic asked the little boy to play guitar every day, but the little boy would not share. One day, after being so frustrated that his neighbor would not share, he shoved the little boy down and took his guitar from him. The little boy ran upstairs to tell his mother and Automatic started plucking the old, 4-stringed guitar. He intuitively began to play a melody on the guitar. Having no prior instrumental or musical lessons, his mother was stunned that her son was playing a tune on the spot. Thus, she nicknamed him, "Automatic".

From that day on, Automatic showed he had a natural ability to learn how to play instruments. In junior high, he joined the concert band at Roy H. Mann Junior High School in Brooklyn. He chose to play the trombone. Each week he would ask his classmates if he could borrow their instruments to take home so that he could learn how to play them. He eventually taught himself how to play 13 instruments.[2] Automatic also used his nickname as his stage name when he would rap and dance. Growing up in hip-hop, he was part of the early, crucial moments in hip-hop that would later define and popularize the genre. Automatic befriended and battled with who would become hip-hop icons Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Nice and Smooth and Big Daddy Kane. Automatic's popularity as a hip-hop artist grew. When he was 13 years old, he was invited to participate in a PBS special on hip-hop where he break danced. His appearance in the special led to him appearing as a dancer in Krush Groove, starring Run DMC, LL Cool J and Sheila E. He also danced in Beat Street.

In addition to music and dancing, Automatic focused on martial arts with his sensei who taught him Yip Man's Wing Chun kung-fu. He began practicing Bruce Lee's style of Jeet Kune Do. He competed in and won multiple underground fights as a teenager and became well-respected in the martial arts community.

Crisis leads to record deal

When he was 15 years old, Automatic left home to escape the abuse and negative lifestyle of his step-father. As a result of leaving home, he became homeless, living on the streets of Brooklyn for four months. He was on track to be the valedictorian of South Shore High School and was the most popular kid in high school, but all of this turmoil in his life caused him to drop out of school. He worked at the Palladium, Mels Diner and a microfilm company for money until he could afford his own apartment. He convinced a landlord in Sunset Park, Brooklyn to rent an apartment to him at the age of 16. Automatic formed a band, Auto and Cherokee. The band played CBGB's, the Cat Club, the Palladium and other clubs in the Village and Manhattan. The band soon caught the eye of J.J. French, bass player of the rock band, Twisted Sister. French signed on to manage the group. The band moved together to Red Hook, Brooklyn and shared a factory-style loft. They auditioned for multiple record companies and were turned down many times. Grammy Award-winning producer, David Kershenbaum, heard about the group and came to Red Hook to hear the band who performed a showcase in their loft for him. He immediately signed them to Morgan Creek/Polygram Records. In 1993, the first professional release was Auto and Cherokee, "Naked Music", written, composed and produced by Automatic, Keith Cohen and Carmen Rizzo. The album was a fusion of hip-hop, R&B and Prince-infused vibes. The album featured Dave Coz and members of the group Fishbone. The single from the album "Taste" is featured in the movie The Crush starring Alicia Silverstone and in "Stay Tuned" starring John Ritter. While on Morgan Creek, Automatic was managed by Rob Kehane and Mark Schimmel.

From producing and songwriting in the 1990s

In 1994–1995, Automatic began to develop musical groups under his production company Apple Children Productions. The first group that he put together was Forever Yours, later named Brownstone. He also discovered a young Australian boy on Venice Beach, Wade Robson, whom he taught hip hop and rap and developed vocally. He later became a member of the duo Quo. Both acts later became signed to Michael Jackson's record label, MJJ Records/Sony. Wade Robson went on to become a world-famous choreographer working with acts like ‘Nsync and Britney Spears. In 1994, he became the youngest producer to sign a double production deal with to A&M/Perspective records. He worked directly with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[2] They produced acts including four songs on Raja-Neé’s album Hot and Ready. He produced "How Long" by Sweet Sable for the Above the Rim soundtrack and produced a remix of James Brown's "How Long."

From 1995 to 1998, he worked for the WB Television Network producing songs for The Jamie Foxx Show, Sister Sister and Cleghorne!. He wrote and produced the American Airlines theme song. In 1999, he was signed to Sony Music as a writer/producer by Erica Greyson and Jim Vellutato. He began working with A-list writers with Sony and worked with artists like Pink, India Irie, Christina Aguilera,[3] Pussycat Dolls, Raven Simone, Nicole Scherzinger, Kurupt and Fabolous. In addition to producing, he worked on the mixing side of production with Dave Pensado and Manny Marroquin.

In 2009, Automatic produced "Cradle to the Grave" and "She Is" for Bettina Bush which reached #2 and #4 on the Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart, respectively.[2]

In Summer 2012, Automatic produced the hit single, "Uncommitted" for K-Pop sensation, Kim Junsu (Xia) of superstar pop group JYJ.[4] The video for "Uncommitted" debuted at #1 in Korea and China. It has reached #1 on China's YinYueTai Chart, #1 on Peruvian Radio Charts, and #1 on Korea's Hanteo chart.[1] At Kim Junsu's recent concert in LA, Korean news site TV Daily reported: "the song produced together with Sony music producer AUTOMATIC, Uncommitted, is a chic urban pop song that attracted great attention."[2] Furthermore, the popular Canadian YouTube duo EatYourKimchi, well known for introducing K-Pop to foreigners, also reviewed Uncommitted: "From start to finish, the song is consistently solid and we’re totally digging it."[3] Also Kim Junsu described his recording experience with Automatic in his August 2012 Cyworld Music Interview: I also felt that I had a lot of freedom while recording my worldwide album. Because the composer respects the artist and the artist's feeling 120%, the recording was so pleasant. This time I choked and coughed a bit when I was singing, but the composer Automatic treated me so nicely, by telling me that I could rest as much as I want to or have a cup of warm tea and try again, that I didn't know what to do. It was pleasant to work with them."[4]

Automatic also performs as lead vocalist in the group Asphalt Messiah.[2]

InRage Entertainment

With his experience as a music producer, Automatic was exposed to a range of multiple music genres that included rock, country, pop, and R&B.[5] The constant pressure from the industry wanting him to focus on one genre, sparked Automatic’s interest to develop his own label.[5] Automatic partnered with corporate attorney, Roger Doumanian[6] founder of Fresh Element, to create an entertainment company focused on music diversity.[7] In 2016, InRage Entertainment was re-born, when Automatic partnered with his wife, Ebony Rae Vanderveer, to expand the model of the entertainment company. The label is currently based in Los Angeles, California and functions as a record label, artist development company and music, film and television production company.

Production and engineering

Year Artist Song
2023 Sirena, Chyka Jackson Hands Up - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2023 Dorian Aleccia On The Cusp - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2023 Chloe Madeline Follows Me Home - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Tally T Give No Fucks - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Caleb Soto Past Tense - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Autumn Cymone Spoil Me - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Chloe Madeline Heartbreak Series - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Chyka Jackson The Most - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Caleb Soto Let That Shit Go - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 ZorDonofDoom Cracks in the Kindness - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Chyka Jackson STRATOSPHERE - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Sirena Playground - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Starla Marie PRIME - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 In The Stars In Retrograde - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Chloe Madeline Heartbreak Song - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Chyka Jackson Made By God - From the Award-Winning Docuseries After theLockdown: Black in LA
2022 Tally T Walk Up - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Viva Victor Omens - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 ZorDonofDoom Fire & Snow - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Kimiko Shine - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2022 Ava-Riley Second Chances - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Chyka Jackson U-Bae - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 In The Stars HELLBENT - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Trish Do or Die - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Tally T Frosty - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Chris Hutton Rewind - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Nyah Trigger - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Madeline Bruised - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Steve Englehart Steve Englehart's Prism Club - Songs Inspired By The Creator of Shang-Chi feat. ALEXEY, M3DI, Nyah, Sirena, Chyka Jackson, Camber, & ZorDonofDoom - EP
2021 ALEXEY ICING - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2021 Madeline Pray For You - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Camber Noodles - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Dorian Aleccia Crumbling Down - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 In The Stars Desperados - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 M3DI Human - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Alexey, Nyah Coworkers Red Hook Remix - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Nyah, Alexey Slowly Dying Red Hook Remix - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Chyka Jackson Let Me Go - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Kimiko Karate - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 ZorDonofDoom Bended Knee - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Nyah Slowly Dying - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Johnny Gas Airbnb - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Estelle Morales Rocks 'n' Chains - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Caleb Soto Sayin' Bye - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Alexy Coworkers - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 James Barmore, The Royal Quart Frontline - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Nyah A Thousand Wishes - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 James Barmore Let's Get Stoned - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 KuiET I'm the Man Now - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Dorian Aleccia So Hum - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Nyah Disconnected - Ep - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Sunknee Angel Chaos and Confusion - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Klara Nazzal Snakes - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 James Barmore, The Royal Quart Saying Goodbye - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Nyah Flowers on My Grave - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2020 Klara Nazzal Bleed - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Chris Hutton Ugly - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Nyah Maybe It's A Christmas Song - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 James Barmore Hot Chocolate - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Chloe Madeline States of Mine - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 ZorDonofDoom Hypocrisy - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Sirena Sangtha - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Camber Neon Sundaes - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Nyah Midnight - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 James Barmore Grand Rising - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Autumn Cymone Good Company - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 J'Dvonte Trust - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Dominique Shhh Is Fire - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Chyka Jackson Dirt In My Eyes - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Michael Duca Last A While - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 ZorDonofDoom The Confuzzled - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Camber Bubblegum Piñata - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Chloe Madeline Stay Away - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Dorian Aleccia You Know Better - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Raffaela Butterfly Effect - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Sirena Sirena - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Chloe Madeline Magnetic - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 ZonDonofDoom Absolute Confuzzlement - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Nyah Empty Spaces - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Sirena M.I.E.N - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Autumm Cymone Crisco - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 Sirena I am (Doin' Alright) - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2019 ZorDonofDoom Welcome to My World - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 Michael Duca Kathleen - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 Viva Victor Sirens - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 Raffaela Capp I Love Me - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 Soto and The Krash Soto and The Krash Unplugged, Vol. 1 - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 Len Ron Hanks Wendy City - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 James Manning Turn It Up - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2018 James Barmore Chromatic Spectrum - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017James BarmoreNew York, New York - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017Soto and The KrashWar - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017James ManningWhite Flag - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017 James Barmore Cherry Bomb - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017LoomisLook What You Made Me Do - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017Autumn CymoneSilence - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017 Autumn Cymone Adrenaline - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017 Annie Cleary and The Fools Annie Cleary and The Fools - EP - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017 Johnny B Change feat. Ebony Rae - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017 Soto and The Krash Elephant In the Room - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2017 Moe Adams Let's Get Together Now feat. Automatic - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2016Kim Junsu (XIA)Rock The World[8][9][10]
2016 Raja-Neé Don't Marry Her - Grammy nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance & Best R&B Song
2016 Raja-Neé The Battle (Angelo's Song) feat. Automatic - Grammy nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
2016TwiceI'm Gonna Be A Star
2016 Gabriela N Lie to Me - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2016Kim Junsu (XIA)Incredible[11]
2016 Soto and The Krash So Much Better - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2015 The Unusual Prospects Black Shiny Crome - Single - InRage Entertainment Recording Artist
2012Kim Junsu (XIA)Uncommitted - Artist's American debut single & music video[12]
2009FabolousThrow it in the Bag (Remix)
2009Bettina BushShe Is - #4 on Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart, & Cradle to the Grave - #2 on Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart[13]
2001PinkLet's Get the Party Started (remix)
1997-1998Raja-NeéDouble production deal with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on Perspective Records/A&M Munchie
1997Sweet SableOld Times Sake (remix)
1997James BrownHow Long (remix)[14]
1995-1997Brownstone & QuoWorked directly with Michael Jackson on vocal production & artist development on MJJ Music/Sony[13]

Film and television credits

Year Film/Television Studio Credit
200213[15]Fox SearchlightCues
2000We Can Play Together (PSA)[16]FoxSang & starred in international campaign for peace
1998Hello! My BabyWB Television NetworkCues
1998Unhappily Ever AfterWB Television NetworkCues
1998Sister, SisterWB Television NetworkCues
1998Jamie Foxx ShowWB Television NetworkCues
1996Low Down DirtyWB Television NetworkSoundtrack
1993Stay TunedMorgan CreekCues
1993CrushMorgan Creek"Taste" on Soundtrack
1993Teacher
1993Nick Freno Licensed"Taste" on Soundtrack
1993Shame

Branding

Year Brand Description
2004American AirlinesTheme song & Jingle[17]
2003XboxMusic for Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball[18]

Companies

Year Company Position
2014InRage Entertainment[19]Executive Producer & Co-CEO
2004 Fresh Element [7] Investor, Multimedia director

Singer/Musician

Year Artist Description Release Label
2013Asphalt Messiah[20]Lead singer in rock/hip hop bandDirtyInRage Entertainment
1994Auto & Cherokee[21][22]Member of R&B DuoNaked Music & TasteMorgan Creek/Polydor Records

References

  1. "Junsu Makes a Colorful Comeback With "Incredible"". Popdust. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Bruce "Automatic" Vanderveer / Interviews / SWAG Magazine CA". swagmagazineca.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-31. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  3. "KapanLagi.com: Produser Musik Amerika Bandingkan Junsu JYJ Dengan Michael Jackson". Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  4. "[Exclusive] Interview with Producer Bruce "Automatic" Vanderveer: Working with XIA Junsu on "Uncommitted" and "Incredible"". Soompi. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  5. 1 2 "InRage FAMILY".
  6. "Roger Doumanian, Attorney at Law, APC | Santa Clarita Business Lawyer".
  7. 1 2 "Fresh Element Announces Exciting Business Opportunity".
  8. ""XIGNATURE" RANKS AT NO.1 ON TOWER RECORDS JAPAN AND HMV JAPAN MUSIC CHARTS". XiaOverFlower. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  9. "Watch: XIA (Junsu) Will "Rock The World" In New MV". Soompi. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  10. ""XIGNATURE" ranks at No.1 on Tower Records Japan and HMV Japan Music Charts". XiaOverFlower. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  11. ""KIM JUNSU"". Jyj3. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  12. ""JYJ Korea.com Staff Exclusively in Interview with Xia Junsu's UNCOMMITTED TEAM Automatic and Ebony"". Jyj3. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  13. 1 2 ""AUTOMATICALLY MAKING POWER MOVES!"". SWAG Magazine. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  14. ""AUTOMATICALLY MAKING POWER MOVES!"". SWAG Magazine. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  15. IMDb. ""Thirteen"". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  16. ""Auto & Cherokee - We Can Play Together"". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  17. ""Q&A with Sony Music Producers: Get Signed, Get Song Placed in 2016"". Breaking Into Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  18. ""Dead Or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball"". xboxrarity.tk. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  19. ""The Team"". InRage. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  20. ""Asphalt Messiah"". Reverbnation. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  21. ""Auto & Cherokee…TASTE"". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  22. ""Auto & Cherokee - Naked Music"". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
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