ABSTRACT SCIENCE presents the long-awaited chicago debut of influential UK producer/dj OM UNIT, alongside veteran ABSCI selectors CHRIS WIDMAN + WHOA-B + special guest frail808. Video artist JACE INMAN projects after sunset. Dancefloor pressure + bass music spanning the sound system spectrum as evening turns into night.
sat 29 june 2024
abstract science presents
OM UNIT
[cosmic bridge, 3024 music, metalheadz – bristol, uk]
with
CHRIS WIDMAN + WHOA-B
[abstract science, wluw 88.7fm chi]
+ special guest
frail808
[rev, chicago]
+ video by
JACE INMAN
[night logistics, chicago]
—
** EARLY SHOW 6-11:30pm **
EPIPHANY CENTER FOR THE ARTS – CHASE HOUSE
201 s ashland ave, chicago
6-11:30pm 21+
—
OM UNIT [Cosmic Bridge, 3024 Music, Metalheadz, Bristol, UK]
“Bassbin dweller Om Unit moves dark and shifty in the spaces between electro, dark garage, dubstep and D&B … the recombinant, [UK hardcore continuum]-surfing producer draws on decades of experience in UK clubs to scythe his own path…” – Boomkat.com
As a producer and DJ, Jim Coles’s persistent presence in an ever changing world has solidified his place as an electronic music pioneer. Coles took on the mantle of Om Unit in the late 2000s, and since then the English producer has sought to challenge himself and his audience by going beyond the confines of typical genres and styles. In the process he has found success by striving for a more human and daring approach to connecting styles of electronic music in unique ways.
What drives Coles is a desire to keep challenging himself, and in turn his audience. During his time as Om Unit, this has led him to distill various influences — hip-hop, dubstep, ambient, jungle, footwork, techno and dub — into a fluid take on sound system culture and electronic music that sidesteps the pitfalls of genres and pastiche and creates new potentials for exploration and inspiration, with many following in his footsteps. It’s how, in the early 2010s (under the recently resurrected ’Philip D Kick’ alias) he came to pioneer the stylistic and rhythmic links between jungle and footwork via a series of acclaimed edits. This personal approach has earned Coles praise as a refreshing voice in dance music from both peers and the media.
frail808 [rev, chicago]
frail808 is a chicago-based dj, hardware act, producer, instrumentalist, and audio engineer. a classically trained percussionist, she has been producing and performing electronic music since her mid teens, inspired by first-wave dubstep, drone music, and releases from hyperdub and warp records. her roots as an experimental musician and performer have driven her to tirelessly experiment with new sounds and textures – frail808’s selections are wide and genre agnostic, with a unifying penchant for driving syncopated percussion, heavy sub bass, and yearning ambience. she brings an ecstatic energy to the decks, and thrives on the energy of a sweaty, uninhibited dancefloor – her sets are often broad in scope, traveling through searing bass bangers, ethereal breakbeat, introspective deep dub, and pulsing ambient tracks. she runs <
CHRIS WIDMAN [Abstract Science, WLUW-Chicago 88.7fm]
“Chris Widman is Equal Parts DJ and Electronic Music Encyclopedia” (Noisey) — Chris Widman is a DJ that defies easy classification. Producer and co-host of the long-running Chicago radio show Abstract Science on WLUW-88.7FM, he is at the forefront of breaking new styles, blurring genre lines and re-introducing forgotten music. When DJing for the dancefloor, Widman is known for his adventurous mixing of tempos and styles, creating his own form of crowd-pleasing sonic warfare. Widman came up in the 90s midwest rave scene, DJing and promoting events with one foot on the dancefloor and the other in the chill room. This duality has followed his performance & curatorial work through club residencies (Smartbar 2001–2003/2008–2012 & Sonotheque 2004-2006), Chicago editions of the Mutek & Sonar festivals, and countless shows, everywhere from Metro & Empty Bottle to the Chicago Cultural Center & Pritzker Pavilion.
WHOA-B [Abstract Science, WLUW-Chicago 88.7fm]
Whoa-B is a Chicago-based DJ who specializes in electronic music of British origin, namely dubstep, grime, UK garage, and drum & bass. He began collecting records in 1999 and has since made a name for himself as a UK bass music aficionado. Many know of his “Ten Minute Dubstep Mix” with over 2.6 million views on YouTube. Early influences include Dieselboy mix CD’s, Mark Almaria mixtapes, Casper (Julian Carow) introducing UK garage to Chicago, Craze integrating drum & bass with turntablism, and Slimzee grime sets. Whoa-B has opened for artists such as Plastician, Todd Edwards, Mount Kimbie, and Rusko at venues including Smart Bar, Subterranean, Empty Bottle, Cafe Lura, and Lava. He was a founding member of several residencies at Smart Bar and Morseland. He co-hosts Abstract Science, a long-running weekly radio show on WLUW 88.7 FM exploring innovative electronic music and its roots.
ABSTRACT SCIENCE [WLUW-Chicago 88.7fm]
Abstract Science is future music radio: a weekly exploration of innovative electronic music and its roots since 1997. This staple of Chicago’s airwaves investigates the current evolution and influence of dj culture, dance music and experimental sounds on a global level. Co-hosts CHRIS WIDMAN, HENRY SELF, LUKE STOKES, JOSHUA P FERGUSON + BILL BEARDEN (WHOA-B) showcase the latest releases alongside underground classics, overlooked gems, exclusive live performances, interviews and dj mixes.
Abstract Science broadcasts every Thursday night (8-10pm usct) on WLUW-Chicago 88.7fm and wluw.org, in addition to a weekly podcast and archives at abstractscience.net.
Past guests of note include ACTRESS, AMON TOBIN, APPARAT, THE BLESSED MADONNA, BONOBO, CONVEXTION, DAEDELUS, DEADBEAT, DJ KRUSH, FOUR TET, JAGA JAZZIST, JANA RUSH, JUAN ATKINS, LUKE VIBERT, MONOLAKE, MODESELEKTOR, MR SCRUFF, PLAID, RJD2, ROBERT RICH, ROMARE, SHIGETO, SLEEPARCHIVE, SQUAREPUSHER & TRENTEMOLLER. Over the years, abstract science has curated and co-sponsored hundreds of events at Chicago’s premiere venues, including residencies at Sonotheque (“Funk the Mental” 2004-2006), Smart Bar (“Abstract Sessions” 2001-2003 + “Subfix” 2008-2011) and Podlasie Club (“Raw Code” 2023-present).
JACE INMAN [Night Logistics, Heavensware, Chicago]
Jace Inman is a Chicago based, multi-discipline video artist, graphic designer, producer, and multi-genre DJ, known best for his work with the preeminent internet radio-station Sub.FM.
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