Getting the chance to perform on the same stage Prince, Korn and Lenny Kravitz once lit up is a fantastic opportunity for any aspiring musician.

That very opportunity presented itself to Joel Bernhard, junior communication studies major, as he performed his first-ever live show at the Congress Theatre in Chicago two years ago.

This aspiring artist has written more than 50 songs and is currently working on finishing his third CD and first official album. His first two recording demos were not fully produced.

Bernhard has performed on campus at NIU as well as at North Park University in Chicago.

“The biggest crowd I have performed in front of was at North Park when 75 people showed up at the Java Haus,” he said.

Influenced by bands such as Radiohead and Neutral Milk Hotel, Bernhard started playing guitar at 18.

When he performs live, he plays almost all original material.

“A friend of mine hears Pink Floyd in me,” he said. “I have ideas coming from many different genres.”

His new album, “City Breathing,” is on its third name change. The album, as he describes, is darker than his previous works.

“A friend drew an image that really captured what the album is all about,” Bernhard said. “I would like to use it as the cover art.”

Aspiring artists must decide whether they wish to concentrate their time in the studio or schedule as many live performances as possible. Bernhard is still undecided on which route he wishes to take.

“I love playing live,” he said. “At my last Java 101 performance, I was able to play for over two-and-a-half hours.”

Bernhard’s Web site, www.basementghost.com, has music available for downloading.

Making it as a solo artist is one of the more difficult things to accomplish, Bernhard said. Epic recording artist Howie Day is one of the few to make it the genre – but even he has resorted to playing with a band live and in the studio.

“I would like to have complete creative control with my music,” Bernhard said. “Rotating members to work on future albums, but not play with them live would be the best of both worlds.”

Some of his own favorite songs are “Positive Negativity,” “Faces” and “For Elise.”

“Most of my songs are more darker love songs, not the traditional kind,” he said.

Although Bernhard hasn’t made it yet in the industry, he has advice to offer artists trying to get started.

“It was difficult when I first started, as I didn’t know how to play anything,” he said. “You need to just keep going, even though you feel the way you do, just push through it.”