Michael Holmen is Brown Bear, an electronic and trap outfit from Kenosha, WI. Brown Bear graduated from Tremper High School in 2013 

Brown Bear started DJing at age 17, playing shows around the midwest. 

Following the release of an EP in March of 2013, Brown Bear started work originally on a full LP for release sometime in late 2013, but switched to a dual EP due to having made music in two different genres. 



Brown Bear currently has his debut dual EP, Tree Stories -- A Duality featuring two different styles. 


First was Eyes to the Sky which examines a mix between his work done with hip hop and electronic sounds, making his move to trap once realizing their was a market for it. “ I love when two genres can be intertwined to make a newer, crisper-sounding genre,” he says.  “After dubstep hit the mainstream a few years ago, I never thought the next step would be to fuse it with hip hop. That’s why trap is a great offspin of an already dominating culture of dub.” 


The other half, Feet On The Ground  examines a more melodic, electro-dance sound. Fusing influences of house, electro, and breakbeat to create a unique cross between mainstream sounds and underground beats. “This EP is much more of what I did after the release of IERR [Inhale.Exhale.Relax.Repeat] last year,” he continues. “I like dipping into different ways of doing tracking, recording, and mastering, and this [Feet on the Ground] definitely shows that off.” 


Brown Bear has played at venues and parties around the midwest, most recently at Carthage College for the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Brown Bear has also played shows with Hello Horizon, The First Chairs, Pandastar, and CCDM at various venues such as Tremper High School, Just For Fun Roller Rink in McHenry, IL, Carthage College, and various house parties and events.


Brown Bear is currently unsigned, choosing to manage himself. “I feel like I can’t really pick [a label] until I know it is the right fit for me,” he says. “Once that happens, the fans are going to be the first to know about it, because that’s how it should be.”


Brown Bear plans to tour in 2014 with dates TBA. Information pertaning to the tour will be first found on: 

Followers of faiNd