Chicago, IL: EV Records is proud to present bedroom beat-smith Earmint and his debut LP “Another Early Evening.” His flavor of production is well complimented by vocals from Psalm One (Rhymesayers), Diverse (Chocolate Industries), Murs (Def Jux), Roc C (Stones Throw), Illogic (Rhymesayers) and LongShot (EV Records). Inspired by hip-hop and skateboard culture, Earmint recycles the world around him into masterful audio and visual collages. Like his surreal original CD artwork, his found-art, cut-and-paste arrangements are borrowed from society yet completely his own.
The title “Another Early Evening” is a nod toward the electronic music compilation series “Another Late Night,” but is also literally how the album was made. Graphic designer by day and bedroom producer by night, the intricate detail of his music came from countless evenings slaving over his vintage synths, $8 guitar, and ancient Studio Vision Pro software. Often compared to producers like Madlib, Prefuse 73, and RJD2, Earmint cites the Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order, and the Smiths as influences and calls his sound a pop, electro, hip-hop blend straight from the bedroom.
Like any good outsider art, Earmint’s odd-ball perspective, individuality, and un-restricted creativity are what make his music so interesting. Chicago emcee Diverse discovered Earmint while working on his album “One AM” (Chocolate Ind.) back in 2004, resulting in the “Just Biz” 12” that put Earmint’s production right next to Madlib and Prefuse 73. From there, Earmint began working on his album in earnest, eventually finding a home at EV Records. His current side-projects include a remix for Hefty Records artist Elliot Lip and production on half of Illogic’s new album for Rhymesayers.
Dedicated to his father, who unexpectedly passed in 2004, “Another Early Evening” came directly from the mind and heart of Earmint. Imbued with intelligence, wit, and humanity, Earmint’s album stands out from the white noise of pop culture, though that’s where his samples come from.