Chris Ramos has created a dance music opus in his debut album, Evolution.
Ramos’ early profession was pushed by quite a lot of singles signed to then-emerging powerhouse label Monstercat, in addition to a prestigious collaboration with the influential duo Tritonal, amongst different notable releases. Evolution marks his first launch in eight years following a prolonged hiatus of therapeutic and self-discovery.
Spanning 13 tracks, Evolution is an expansive venture, effortlessly traversing between numerous dance music genres, from progressive home and dance-pop to drum & bass and techno. That includes a large checklist of featured artists and producers, the album showcases his collaborative spirit whereas spotlighting his distinctive expertise as a dance music veteran.
“Underwater” kicks off the venture with its uplifting melodic techno manufacturing and anthemic vocals earlier than tracks just like the natural “Pushin” and the gritty “Mike Tyson” proceed the sonic journey. An uplifting drum & bass anthem, “Bad For Ya” is an undisputed spotlight whereas “Liars Say” wraps the album on a melancholic be aware with its downtempo manufacturing and mesmerizing synths.
We caught up with Ramos to talk in regards to the album in addition to his prolonged break from releasing music and future plans.
EDM.com: Evolution marks your first launch in eight years. What led you to the choice to take this prolonged break?
Chris Ramos: It has been a minute! There are a number of causes related to the lengthy break, however the root trigger was psychological well being and the necessity to higher myself. Wanting again, I grew up with anxiousness and ADHD however didn’t absolutely perceive it. As I received older, and issues began choosing up, the anxiousness didn’t get any higher… it solely escalated. I put quite a lot of stress on myself, and with out the precise mindset and management, it will probably sadly grow to be a bit of poisonous.
I slowly went from loving the method and journey of an artist/DJ, from the thrilling pre-show jitters, to shedding a maintain of my anxious ideas. As soon as it began ruining the enjoyable and dimming the fervour, I knew I wanted to make the powerful name and take a break. Membership residencies, data enjoying at festivals, being performed on the radio… I needed to put all of it on pause. I additionally had nonetheless rather a lot to study musically/technically, and simply wanted to develop as an individual.
EDM.com: What saved you busy all through all these years?
Chris Ramos: The lengthy break changed into a blessing in disguise! From the life experiences and classes discovered, to the manufacturing and sound engineering abilities that I’ve additional developed… It has actually been nice. I additionally began a document label throughout the pandemic, which catapulted each ardour and goal, and opened my eyes to an entire different facet of the music business.
Creating artists and releasing their music is an entire different ballgame. Serving to and galvanizing others has grow to be certainly one of my most favourite issues, and the power alternate between artists is like nothing else. Touring to Europe, Los Angeles and Costa Rica introduced in inspiration, new views and a few actually cool vibes. And I additionally labored on music for a few of the largest manufacturers and video video games on the market, which actually pushed me out of my consolation zone and gave me new methods to method my very own music.
EDM.com: Stroll us by way of the creation of this album–how did the method of constructing it seem like?
Chris Ramos: The place do I begin? Its humorous as a result of in my head I really feel like I started making this album perhaps a 12 months in the past, however in actuality its been in growth since 2020. I simply didn’t understand it but. I’ve written songs about my life expertise, and allow them to information me into their last kind. Every part has felt pure and clean, pouring myself into each facet.
“Underwater” is actually about me seeing myself drowning underwater, at all-time low, and pulling myself out. “Bad For Ya” is a couple of traumatic breakup, with the writing impressed by her perspective… I wrote and sang it not too lengthy after the expertise, so there’s numerous uncooked emotion behind that recording. “Out Of My Head” hits the post-breakup expertise fairly nicely, and even “Hypnotherapy” performs on giving a lot of your self that you simply lose sight of who you actually are.
I’m grateful for the superb group that has collaborated with me on these data too! Dani Doucette actually hit the cash and emotion on her data, and her power is all the time superb to be round. MXJ introduced their enjoyable Afro vibes and actually pushed my drum work to a different degree. S_Zero and I actually merged our kinds and confirmed what a seamless collaboration appears like, whereas Joe McCann pushed the experimental envelope, inspiring me to push issues additional with a “Spanglish” vocal. Collectively they’ve all impressed and pushed me to be higher, and made the journey of this album much more gratifying.
EDM.com: You’ve got a really hands-on method to creating artwork, from singing and producing to mastering and creating visible artwork on your data. What does the method of studying to do issues your self imply to you?
Chris Ramos: There’s two sides to each coin. On this case, I might say that studying to take action a lot myself has manifested for a few causes: first, that is what occurs once you like to study new issues, have ADHD, and attempt to good no matter you’re doing. Secondly, quite a lot of it has come out of necessity.
Making music, actual high-quality music, doesn’t come low-cost, nor does it all the time come fast. And until you may have an enormous finances and group to again you, its not simple to really thrive. Studio prices, engineers, singers/writers, musicians, producers, graphic designers, and so forth… I like being inventive, and have the capability to do all of these items, so why not work my rear finish off and grow to be good at it! And the singing half… I’ve all the time been shy about singing, however as a recording engineer, I’ve heard from so many singers that I would like to start out recording myself extra and sing on extra music. So I made a decision f*ck it, that is my time to be me, and do what feels proper. I like to sing, jam out, and make music. Reasonably than maintain again, its time to showcase my actual self to the world.
EDM.com: What are a few of your favourite tracks from Evolution and the way do they match inside the entire narrative of the document?
Chris Ramos: Can I reply one other query? Haha. That is powerful, I like all 13 data right here. My high document must be Underwater. Being that it’s about pulling myself from the depths, and this album is about my private evolution coming from the shadows, it actually units the tone for the entire document.
“Out Of My Head” was a enjoyable one to make. I envision Hans Zimmer collaborating with MEDUZA, with Eric Prydz including some sizzle on high. I received to deliver out my rating expertise on this one, and merging that world with digital dance music was a enjoyable problem I set out for myself.
“Hypnotherapy” was one of many quickest and most pure tasks right here. It’s undoubtedly a bit of linked to my ADHD with the flips and changeups, however thats actually what I like about that document. And Dani’s dreamy vocals in fact. Such a bop throughout.
“Breakdown” and “Mike Tyson” are the extra aggressive data, releasing constructed up aggression after an epic crescendo, and enjoying off of my martial arts background respectively.
And all the collabs had been a lot enjoyable to make. They actually impressed me to proceed to push myself.
EDM.com: Your debut single dates again to 2010. When did you begin making music and what has that evolution appeared like for you?
Chris Ramos: Let’s begin at the start. My dad and mom noticed that I cherished enjoying piano as a child, so that they rapidly put me into piano classes at age 3. At 13 I used to be graciously gifted my first actual keyboard, which had a built-in sequencer. Little did my household know that I’d quickly begin recording concepts, experimenting with loops, and start making tracks [laughs]. I grew up with all sorts of music round me, however my mother would play dance, trance and Euro when understanding and I cherished the power and emotion behind it. Tiesto, Robert Miles, World Deejays, Ace Of Base, Basshunter…I used to be hooked. By age 16, I grew to become actually obsessed with making this a profession, and that very same 12 months I signed my first document cope with a small label out of Miami. My ardour to be on this business was solidified.
From there, I went on to study to DJ and began enjoying all-ages occasions all through Toronto. At age 20 I had my first document on the radio, was enjoying golf equipment, and began to carry residencies at a few of the finest venues within the metropolis. Music appears to have all the time come naturally to me, and it’ll endlessly circulate by way of my veins.
EDM.com: What have been a few of your favourite profession moments up to now, and what can followers anticipate from you all through the remainder of 2024 and past?
Chris Ramos: There have been so many enjoyable moments, it’s actually an thrilling profession and business to be part of. Opening for Porter Robinson and Madeon need to be a few of my favourite reveals to ever play. The vibes had been on level and the crowds superb.
Listening to my title for the primary time on my favourite radio station was surreal. I used to be driving on the time, and virtually crashed my mom’s automotive haha!
Collaborating with Tritonal was an absolute dream. Being a fan of theirs, and listening to they wished to collaborate on my document “This Is Love” was such an honor. They’re such enjoyable guys, and I might have by no means anticipated such an epic response. We charted on Billboard’s Scorching Dance charts, broke Beatport’s high 100 total, hit my first ever million streams, and we had been performed in each main dance music competition on the planet. To make issues much more surreal, Darude got here to the fold and remixed the document! Such a legend. What an expertise.
Wanting forward, followers can anticipate an entire lot extra from me. This album isn’t just about my private evolution, however about me getting back from the shadows, with full pressure catapulting myself ahead. Anticipate extra music, epic content material, and shortly reside reveals. No extra holding myself again. It’s time to deliver all of the feels to the world.
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