Agent O has been on replay in our playlist with his latest remix! Coming across this Chicago electronic music artist through local channels, and his sound is instantly intoxicating. Taking aim at a Chomppa tune called DEVIL DANCE, a tune reminiscent to RENEGADE by Mustard Pimp. Agent O perfectly balances the manic high end sounds with a dirty bassline that you cant help but move your body to. A perfect tune for an end of the year playlist to get a party jumpin’.
A teacher and a producer of music, Professor Fox would undoubtedly have a diverse playlist. From working solo to within the duo Vesper, to producing with big name artists like the late Mac Miller, Curren$y, Ab Soul, and popular Chicago artists Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa and Sidewalk Chalk to name a few, Professor Fox has more than enough experience to spread knowledge. From his vast network you would assume P. Fox has an inclination toward more hip hop beat work, R&B and the likes, but this man sits in no box! His latest upload onto his soundcloud account hits closer to the dubstep and bass community with dark and nasty bass lines. Named BASS FACE, for the obvious reaction you would get when you hear that low end rumble.
Every Chicagoan prizes certain parts of this great city, and we can all agree that LSD, the abbreviation for Lake Shore Drive, is one of the most iconic. With its breath taking scenery of the Chicago skyline, following Lake Michigan‘s shoreline, it makes for some of the most satisfying smoke sessions. Recently Chicago’s Manic Focus releases a remix of LAKE SHORE DRIVE by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah, an ode to the city, following in Probcause‘s footsteps, who used a slowed sample of the LSD lyrics about 5 years ago after WAVES. But Manic Focus choosing to keep the original sound, chop it up a bit and add a little bit of bass. Topping it off with two samples of iconic Chicago hip hop artists, Vic Mensa and the legendary Common. Packed with dope lyricism, balanced perfectly with Manics production, ending on a strong note lyrically and sonically, “It ain’t easy but we making it work ’cause we are children of the greatest nation on earth, are we not?“
There are a fearless few that look at timelessly iconic songs and have the courage to remake an original. Cofresi passed that boundary many times with ease, and never seems to spoil the authenticity of the original. From taking up Led Zeppelin to Daft Punk,Gotye to Bon Iver, the Chicago drummer has the confidence and skill to take on any tune with success. Most recently, Cofresi remixes the iconic Disney movie soundtrack song of Lion King, one of the most recognized jungle orchestras ever, arguably. CIRCLE OF LIFE is flawlessly transformed into an electro future bass track that respectfully, yet wildly, balances the cinematic aspect of the chants with live drumming on his signature midi-pad drum setup, and some vocal chops as well. All appropriately in the setting of a sand beach in front of nature.
Win and Woo have released a few new tracks showing off their diverse music pallet. The Chicago electronic music duo typically experiment with their sound, offering their fans a mixed playlist! Their latest being a remix of INSIDE OUT, featuring Griff, by Zedd, an original mix with Łaszewo titled ANOTHER TIME AROUND, and a VIP of an earlier release of BEAM ME UP with Cosmos & Creature. Each track varies between electronic genres but Win and Woo balance it well to their own familiar sound, giving almost a bit of everything for the open mind.
Their most recent being their ZEDD remix where the original touches on pop hip hop beat work intro into electro house, Win and Woo turns it into a drum and bass dance track. A bit more fast paced beatwork lead by a progressive buildup, and ANOTHER TIME AROUND keeps that trance-like energy on the intro and buildup as well, coupled with vocals, before it gives way to a dark down tempo bass line. Their earliest tracks and most significant turn around in terms of sound is their BEAM ME UP VIP, which is originally a tropical-electro reggae styled beat and vocals, turning the feel good tune into an uplifting future bass mix for a dance floor. Lots of different sounds to experiment but thats how Win and Woo keep it fresh!
Everyone has an idea of the music culture of their favorite genres and the artists that make them up. Talking to the artists that make it up highlights more of the details of the foundation of the culture! Having a few moments with Splash DR for an interview, Ever Evolved gets a little first hand perspective of an artist within hip hop, footwork and production. Having experienced a bit of a couple different cultures himself, Splash DR is a multi talented artist, hip hop writer, emcee, DJ and producer, with a bit of ambition, adventure and a whole lot of music. With his most recent debut LP THE KID LABOR, and his experiences with footwork and juke music in Chicago, LA and other places, he broadened our perspective on the genre itself.
Started out producing in the first hand, Splash DR grew up around musically inclined parents who toted all sorts of genres; jazz, rock, hip hop. At school he would be influenced by house and hip hop, as well as his brother, who was was an emcee in a hip hop group as well. A perfect recipe to inspire his own group he called Big Splashes, where he would rap over his own production. As well as his current name, all is a reference to, and a brand spinoff of, Sharkula and one of his songs lyrics. Splash DR then notes to us that is was also one of his brothers songs that got him hooked on footwork and juke music, eventually transitioning into production exclusively once more.
Video Credit to M1N6U5
While all this is happening the junior Splash DR would be witness to the culture, making his way to specific events around the states. If you thought footwork was exclusive to Chicago, you would be pleased to know it has made its way to Americas coasts, and even abroad over seas. During his stays in LA, Splash DR would frequent Cafe Mustache for juke & footwork events, as well as events like Rock Steady and Low End Theory; New York will be hosting events for juke & footwork as well. Fast forward to today, and Splash DR can find fans of his music, footwork and juke in Oakland and even as far as Paraguay, England and Poland.
When it comes to his music, it clearly has some pull. Splash DR was recently signed to label Icy Palms, where he released his first full length LP THE KID LABOR. Splash Dr noted to us some of his influences which include TEKLIFE, GhettoHouse Bangaz, Beatdown House Productions, Juke Bounce Werk, Traxman and Polish Juke. You can have an idea from the list of what Splash DR would produce, however upon pressing play you get a whole different world for footwork and juke. It has a diverse array of melodies and beats where he blends jazz, R&B, hip hop breaks, and hype footwork beats and rhythms. It gives almost a lounge or future classic vibe to juke music but maintaining the energy for a dance floor or party.
Starting with EDGE OUT, we are introduced to THE KID LABOR with some violin thats operatic and vocal loops, right before it dives into beat work. BUSY sounds more contemporary and energetic, with a higher tempo, emphasizing the mellow synth work that follows the beat patterns, similar to Soulection style. YOU CONTROL dives into future classic style under its beat work and BRO BRO brings you into classic deep R&B energy balanced nicely with some bass. Then you get the jazz infused footwork with SNOW WAVE and CHILL YO, a couple of personal favorites, the rest of THE KID LABOR followers this sort of playthrough.
It is interesting to hear where footwork has traveled, talking with Splash DR. From where its influences land, to his own spin on it with his enigmatic style, bouncing between jazz and hip hop and contemporary bass styles. Following on his bandcamp you can see his transformation through music from a hip hop emcee, with WEAPONS, MEDICINES & TEXTILES to his first footwork and juke produtions, like his self titled ep, and TIME REALEASE VOL 1. He noted to Ever Evolved his intent with his music is inspire and challenge the listeners while creating a good atmosphere, and pushing what he thinks is an interesting sound to the fore front of Chicago’s music scene; he does just that with this new record.
Now Splash DR deals with the new adventure of being signed with ICY PALMS, where you can hear THE KID LABOR LP on bandcamp, or you can also get it on cassette! He has already a compilation collaboration scheduled in Paraguay as his sales hit with IP Recores and another project in the works. Already looking to make connections in Englad, Poland and getting back into LA, NY and Oakland, it should be interesting keeping up with this Splash DR! Click THE KID LABOR LP Cover photo below to listen on bandcamp!
More than a musician, Ill-ēsha is an inspiring artist! She is multi-talented in music, from vocals to midi-controllers and other instruments, live painting, visual designer, to even being a voice actor. While using her voice for music, it gets extra powerful when she speaks on equality between genders in music, and supporting local artists in general, working with groups like Nap Girls, GRL Gang, Rapper Chicks and Grassroots Collective. Her latest project partnership, We Out Here on Youtube, parodies different scenarios in the music industry with skits. Spreading the good word from Chicago to her current hometown Denver, Colorado since that late 90’s, Ill-ēsha continues to experiment, break norms and collaborate with talented artists, with her music!
From key-tars, to turntables and DAW’s, Ill-ēsha does not shy away from her electronic equipment! Her production in music has changed up from drum & bass, to perfecting glitch hop in her earlier career, to future bass and dubstep. Her releases this year are a great example of the diversity in her music and her talents! Most recently, SIDEWAYS with 90five displays her more gentle, lo-fi, synth pop, future bass style, as she sings over the melodies and bassline. Contrary to her UNLEASHED EP, released earlier in the year, which hits on her more heavier glitch-hop and dubstep production; dig deeper in her playlist, she has something for everyone!
Flosstradamus, A legendary name to Chicago, and for good reason! Helping bring edm and trap bass to mainstream popularity with remixes like ORIGINAL DON by Diplo in 2012, with former member Josh Young AKAYehMe2. Floss is back with an original release following a collab with Post Malone, Key, Fki1st and graves earlier this year. Simplifying this recent collaboration to one artist, Nonsens, for an upbeat hit for the summer named SO FAR. Kicking it off with a dnb styled intro, chopping up a vocal loop, into a body of bass and alarming synths to wild out to. The piano break in between keeps the uplifting energy going on this dance worthy beat!
The apocalypse is not over just yet, and Porn and Chicken may have a couple of must-have tunes for your end of days playlist. All ready with their remix of Slayer‘s anthem, RAINING BLOOD, from last year, they come up something more recent as well. Starting with a sound byte of a comment regarding corona virus by POTUS, Porn and Chicken decide to remixPURGE by Minyin, another trap bass beat. The Chicago bass artists make it a little heavier, adding a little more heavy metal to it, nicely balancing the hip hop influence within the original track.
Elevatd turning another corner into foreign influences! Always the duo to challenge their musical boundaries, as with their last hip hop influenced release, flipping Da Baby’s BLAME IT ON BABY. Typically hitting on their dubstep and bass roots, this release extends a deep welcome to some experimental future bass. Inviting Hissander Flores on a track dubbing Abraham Vasquez ballad, HOY ME ESTOY COMIENDO, an unexpected but refreshing homage to hispanic culture.
New EZY Era is a Chicago born artist with an enigmatic sound. Raised in the multicultural suburbs of Chicago his sound blends as much as his surroundings.
Gridlock Andy
GridLockAndy is a 22 yr old Music Producer from Chicago. He started his music career at 17 making beats in his spare time from home. Eventually moving to his first music studio in 2013. In the beginning of 2014, he moved to his second music studio which was in the back of a cellphone store where he learned how to audio engineer. Later that same yr he teamed up with Rhymster, Frekwenzy, Z3ndoctor, and Will Balonos to rent I studio room in the highly acclaimed Fort Knox studios where they currently house the Ever Evolved headquarters. A could of yrs later in the the spring of 2016 he release his first beat tape “Is Andy Real?” sporting neo-jazz hip hop tracks that defines his sound.
RhymSter
RhymSter
Julian Rodriguez, aka RhymSter, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. The interest to take on music didnt catch on until he graduated high school in 2010. Looking back on his past, he realized that all his life his family had exposed him to different genres of music such as 80s-90s Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock, Oldies, Soul, House, R&B, & various types of Spanish music. In a way, he was already preparing himself for what was to come.
Julian was a solo artist for some years building his skills and relationship with fellow partners/producers Frekwenzy & GridLockAndy. After some time Julian linked with William Bolanos, Founder of Ever Evolved, to establish a vision that both of them shared musically and creatively. During the time of building the company Julian expanded his creativity into production as well as taking on the business side of Ever Evolved. A jack of all trades is what you can call him.
William Bolanos
EverEvolved Owner
Born and raised in Chicago, Il. I started EverEvolved as a music blog to promote conscious creative music from Chicago. Throughout my life i have been entertained by music of all genres. Music is my one consistent love and seeing it promoted in mainstream television networks in such negative and lazy form, i decided to take matters into my own hands. Making it a mission to open minds to the underground and artists who create original music out of passion rather than greed.
Working along side Rhymster and Frekwenzy at Fort Knox Studios, we quickly transformed EverEvolved into a music studio, event and promotion company. With this platform we not only promote music, we create it and bring it to an audience directly. Hoping to inspire and bring talented individuals together. We aim to create a future of music with class, soul and original style.
Frekwenzy
My name is Ken and I am an engineer/ producer/ and graphic designer out of EverEvolved Studios located near Montrose Blue Line train station in Chicago, IL.
I specialize in EDM and trap based production. I tend to enjoy creating beats from scratch with the people I work with just because I believe in the artistry. It’s always fun to create something organic from scratch. What usually happens in one of my sessions is I would start working on a beat with a lyricist and we would bounce off ideas and give each other critiques.
Xandr
I started gaining an interest in music from a young age. Eventually taking guitar lessons when I was in 6th and 7th grade. Then later into highschool I was musically involved with some friends in a band for a while which just brought me closer and closer to music. Which ultimately lead to me picking up Ableton which completely changed my outlook on music altogether.
As far as to why I do it….well it’s just a part of me. Sitting down to compose and edit music always gives me a really calming rush. Especially knowing that I came from dreaming about as a kid to being here right now.
