Adam Atrix remembers first recording songs with wired headphones in his basement in high school. Since then, his passion for the world of music has only skyrocketed. On Nov. 29, he released “ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED,” the remix version of his debut record, “ATRIXXX.”
Atrix, whose real name is Adam Freeman, is a senior in Media and will be graduating next fall.
Originally from the south Chicago suburbs, he began his music journey in high school and is now a well-known artist in the Champaign-Urbana community.
“For the past couple of years, I’ve just really gotten into the electronic club sounds, which I feel like is where I’m at now, mainly,” Atrix said about his current style.
“ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED” features reworked versions of 16 tracks with new vibrant collaborators such as Divinecowgurl and Indigo Jones.
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The record is a fearless celebration of sexuality, with tracks like “H2HO P—- Aquatic” and “Nasty,” showing the unabashed and vibrant nature of Atrix’s music.
Atrix expressed gratitude to the C-U music community for embracing him and valuing his art. Through his involvement in the Urbana scene, he connected with Ms. Jones, If You Nasty, an artist now featured in “ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED.”
“I’d always been a huge fan of hers,” Atrix said. “I saw her in a show (here) once, and I was like, ‘She’s nasty. She’s fun. She’s so confident.’ So eventually, I reached out to her over Instagram.”
Atrix cited English singer and DJ Shygirl as his biggest artistic influence and recounted a meeting with her.
“I was front row (at her event), and I was like, ‘One day, we’ll be in that booth, trust,’” Atrix said.
Atrix said his other major influences include Björk and Charli xcx, with the latter shaping his approach to teaming up with other artists.
“(Charli’s albums) inspired me to collaborate with people, especially ‘Pop 2,’” Atrix said. “I was like, ‘This is so cool, to just have like a group of bad b—-es.’ I always want that — to have a community.”
Atrix is an example of a truly modern artist, teaming up with people worldwide almost exclusively through social media.
“Most of my collaborators I’ve never even met because they’re either international or not from the Chicago or C-U area,” Atrix said. “We would just send messages over the abyss of the internet, and then we would connect so easily.”
Jonah Shamoon, an up-and-coming artist from Humboldt Park known by his stage name JONAHVCR, shared his excitement over being featured on Atrix’s remix album.
“I felt like this was such a good kick start for me; I really tested the waters with this song,” Shamoon said about his feature on “Spit/Drip,” a track on the remix album. “I’ve always planned to do music. I just never knew when, and I never knew who would take me out to do it.”
Shamoon highlighted learning from Atrix’s strong work ethic, citing the DJ as an influence in his decision to continue an artistic path.
“Adam is really one of those people slash artists that no matter how hard the day is going, no matter how bad life has tossed him and beat him up, he still goes on and puts on a show,” Shamoon said. “It’s just really inspiring as a new artist.”
Cayleigh Kissinger, junior in LAS and close friend of Atrix, agreed on his dedication to the craft as a reason for the young artist’s recent success.
Atrix and Kissinger met through their work on The Collective Magazine, a creative-based RSO on campus, bonding over their mutual love for art.
“We were co-chairs in charge of event planning, and he and I got very lucky because we never had any problems working together,” Kissinger said. “We collaborated really well and had a lot of fun and got very close throughout that process.”
Same as Atrix, she expressed an appreciation for the local music venues, especially in Urbana, which have allowed the promising DJ to gain an audience.
“The house show community is very much its own culture in a way,” Kissinger said. “It’s full of very creative people who express it through fashion or music or just showing up and having an interest in it.”
What’s the next step for Atrix? He is already working on his second album and looking to expand his reach to the bubbling Chicago music community.
“I’ve been to the Chicago scene for a while, and I know a lot of people, but I’m trying to put myself out more,” Atrix said. “I’m trying to build a connection for myself.”
As an up-and-coming artist in a fast-paced and ever-changing musical landscape, Atrix said he is grateful for the support in his artistic growth, and so is his close circle.
“He’s such, such, such a kind spirit, and he wants everyone to win,” Shamoon said. “I really like people like that, and I f— with his soul, and I pray that his actions take him to the next step, and I hope that next step is bigger than anyone can imagine.”
