Following the success of its lead single, “I’m Not”, Chicago-based producer and multi-instrumentalist COFRESI shares his new AGENDA EP, his first full-length project since his 2021 debut studio album, Illuminate. The five-track EP unfolds as a chronicle of COFRESI’s signature blend of electronic, percussion, and instrumental musical elements, and includes a special feature from keyboardist, DJ, and producer Jason Leech on “Make U”. Breathing new life into the world of hybrid instrumentalist-producers, the AGENDA EP sees COFRESI usher in a fresh and innovative style of recording by incorporating a range of styles and influences from bass to house to electronica. Spanning five electrifying tracks, this highly energetic collection is a testament to his ever-evolving creative vision and boundless musical talent.
AGENDA marks a significant milestone for COFRESI who has been praised for his unique and dynamic approach to production. His ability to fuse traditional instrumentation with electronic production techniques has earned him a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, and this new EP is a welcome addition to his growing body of work. The 5-track EP opens with “Follow”, a dynamic and spirited offering that blends propulsive beats with ethereal soundscapes, creating an immersive and energetic listening experience. “Follow” launches into a mesmerizing sonic journey to an alternate universe with otherworldly sound samples and a four-on-the-floor beat creating a heart-pounding soundscape. COFRESI combines trap-infused beats and house rhythms to create “Violet”, which is followed by the titular track, “Agenda”, which boasts a high-octane future rave sound. Serving as the lone collaboration on the EP, “Make U” featuring Jason Leech – known for his collaborations with artists such as Raddix, Evaluation, and LUZCID – is an explosive weapon that is guaranteed to ignite dancefloors everywhere. With its high-octane beats, infectious hooks, and masterful production, this banger exemplifies COFRESI’s mastery of electronic music and his ability to craft thrilling productions brimming with character. Rounding out the EP is the lead single, “I’m Not”, a stunning self-reflective cut full of organic flutes, striking vocal chops, and a pulsing bassline.
![Make U feat. Jason Leech [Official Music Video]](https://rickyleepotts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/COFRESI-make-u.png)
Make U feat. Jason Leech [Official Music Video]
In line with his production philosophy, COFRESI plays with a wide array of electronic styles in this EP. Drawing influences from bass, house, trap, and electronica music – COFRESI creates an innovative, genre-bending EP, incorporating both acoustic and electronic elements into his sound. His chameleon-like ability to collaborate with a wide range of sonic palettes has seen him work with the likes of Flamingosis, Matisyahu, Griffin Kenna, Bass Physics, and more. Inspired by live electronic acts such as L’Impératrice, Polo & Pan, and The Blaze, and driven by a passion for continuous innovation, COFRESI is on a mission to create a distinct sound and live show that is uniquely his.
Fans can catch the full COFRESI experience for themselves at select venues and festivals this summer and fall, including The Grateful Bear Campout, Summer’s End Smoke Out, and North Coast Music Festival.
About COFRESI
Born and raised in Chicago, COFRESI pushes the boundaries of production and live electronic performance. Whether it’s his creative approach to rhythms and percussion or his energetic live sets, COFRESI never ceases to impress and captivate his audience. Since making his official release debut in 2017, he has gone on to perform his unique live/electronic hybrid set at a myriad of globally-renowned festivals, including Electric Forest, North Coast, Same Same But Different, EDC Mexico, SXSW, and Hulaween. His music, oozing with originality and versatility, has found a home on a string of labels, such as Gravitas, TooFuture, AltVision, Epitaph, Bonafyde, and Westwood Records, to name a few, as well as garnered support from a diverse list of leading figures in electronic music, including the likes of Autograf, Polo & Pan, Mr. Carmack, So Down, Disco Biscits, and NGHTMRE.
For more information about COFRESI, go to:
Website | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | SoundCloud
A few weeks ago COFRESI announced he was releasing an EP. I did some digging on this guy, was impressed with his résumé, and reached out to learn more. Then the EP dropped and I can’t turn it off. It is SO good! I am having a hard time turning it down, too. It just sounds better the louder it gets.
The EP is full of bangers and his songwriting is subtle but meaningful. This EP is only 5 songs and I hope he’s in the studio working on full length album. Until then I got the chance to spend some time with this enterprising person. It is my pleasure to introduce you to COFRESI.
COFRESI pushes the boundaries of modern performance & music production with a unique style and a refreshingly versatile live DJ/digital-acoustic drum setup.
Tell me about your new single “I’m Not“. I’m obsessed.
“I’m Not” was a track that made it onto the EP rather late in comparison to the rest of the project. Polo & Pan really inspired me when I saw them perform in Chicago. That performance led me to create a really atmospheric track that reflected the essence of how they made me feel that night. It turned into the lead single, which was a pleasant surprise for myself and my team. We are really proud of the way it turned out.
Where did the name come from? You were born and raised in Chicago. Not the Dominican Republic! (There is a small town in the Dominican Republic called Confesi. If you haven’t been, you should go!)
In my origin years, I struggled with finding a proper name for the project. Finally, I settled for my last name because I felt it had a nice ring to it and I could always remain authentic to myself with the name Cofresi. It was a good way for me to leave a legacy for my family name through my music. I will add that when people get it wrong it is rather funny as well. For instance, after a show, a fan who enjoyed the set said, “Confetti, that was amazing!”- those moments are always great.
Speaking of Chicago, there are a lot of great clubs in the Windy City. Where is your favorite place to see a show?
Easily Radius Chicago. What they have built there to curate is just spectacular. I hope to play that stage with full production soon!
Better yet, where is your favorite place to order pizza? I LOVE deep-dish pizza!!!
Lou Malnati’s for the win!
You also just released an EP. Tell me more about AGENDA and the other singles on the release.
Like I mentioned before watching Polo & Pan and some other similar artists during the pandemic really made me want to dive into Chicago’s house roots and give my sound a more local yet global feel. I really felt the energy and ripple effect house music has so I had to harness that. I might be a little late to the punch on being from Chicago and dabbling in-house, but the project is something I’m happy I completed and people are enjoying. Each track is a different experiment on dance elements combined with my signature future bass undertones. I got to work on “Make U” with Jason Leech, who is a dear friend. My collaborators and team really took the time and gave it the love alongside me to push for a great final product.
How did you meet your manager, Toma Andreev?
Toma and I originally met in 2014 when I was playing alongside ProbCause. He booked one of our shows via his production company. 6 years later we reconnected and I invited him out to tour manage a run of mine. I realized he was a genius musician and had a sharp mind for business right away. We really started piecing together a vision for the future and have been a great team ever since. When I rebuilt my team, he was an easy choice for manager and a right hand man, to help me push my project forward. We inspire each other every day and that’s what it’s really all about. The love of the craft. Both of us put the music first and that has brought us to new heights.
You’ve played some big festivals including Electric Forest and EDC Mexico. Any big plans this summer? I can’t wait to see you live!!!
Right now I am most excited about North Coast because throwing down in my home city is always fun on a big stage. Another one to look out for that I’m looking forward to is Summer’s End Smoke Out. It is in Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and cannabis curated. That combination just sounds so fun to me.
You give lessons? That’s awesome! What are you teaching and how many students do you have?
I teach a wide range of skills at different levels. From foundational ABCs to mastering. Right now I am keeping only a couple of students because my main focus has been the new music. However, teaching and passing down the craft is important to me and I plan on continuing to teach as I mature and have more to offer as I grow myself.
It seems like every DJ has a podcast. Any plans on producing a show anytime soon? I’d follow!
I was on TVBOO’s podcast and it was such a blast! Go check it out if you want to get some good laughs in. I’ve never seen myself as a lead on camera in that way but who knows what the future has in store.
What is your process like? Do ideas for songs just come to you or do you sit down with a yellow pad and a keyboard until something comes out?
Ideas just come to me. Usually, I am inspired by a piece of music or a place or a person and I sit down and see what flows out. My brain won’t let me usually put it down until my initial idea is complete. So I don’t let too much sit on the back burner as just an idea. That restlessness to dial in and complete ideas from start to finish is my way of getting songs out into the ecosystem efficiently, I see musicians as scribes of our generation, much like poets, writers, and historians. My music and process are a reflection of life around me. I try to take that mentality into my creative process, while remaining open and loose enough for ideas to trickle out of me.
I use Bose – Noise Cancelling Headphones. What headphones are around your neck?
Skullcandy Crusher Evo – give them a try. I don’t go on the road without them.
Your live setup is impressive. Tell me more about all that gear and what fans can expect from a live performance.
My live setup is something that I take pride in. I just transitioned into a fully digital setup. I rock a Roland digital kit that in the last years the tech has really caught up on. It sounds organic and crisp and has allowed me more control over dynamics. I also have Yamaha DTX drum pad and my Ableton Push controller which I have been putting more emphasis on this last year. You can expect a few variations of that core setup in the next years of performances.
Who inspires you? I am curious who you are listening to when not working on a new single.
I’m all over the place because the era I grew up in had so much great music from the past, so much from the present and so many awesome new projects are always emerging. Hip hop, rock, punk, and ambient lo-fi are among some of my favorite genres to put on in my free time. BLEU CLAIR, Fred again.., and TURNSTILE have been some of my favorites this year.
What’s next for COFRESI?
Look out for some more releases this year. The EP really laid a good bridge point to merge my classic sound into what’s up next to bat. I’m incorporating the new elements I gained while making AGENDA and really dialed in mixing them with my future bass roots. Some sleeping giants are also locked and loaded with some of my favorite artists on them, I’m really excited for the new line of flips, collabs, and originals coming out this year.
We’ve talked about a lot today. What else can you tell me about COFRESI?
One thing that I always have to shout out is skateboarding. Skate culture and the sport have really shaped me. This year we are doing some things in collaboration with that world and I couldn’t be more excited. For the little kid in me, that’s still there, this is something I can’t wait to dive deeper into.
Thanks for doing this, man. I enjoyed that. In all the interviews I do I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me! Stream AGENDA and check out the music video for “Follow”, which just dropped.
