Mystic Bill
Bill’s move to Chicago in 1988 marked a defining moment in the evolution of his DJ and production career. Originally from Miami, he had already immersed himself in multiple facets of the music industry — from working at the Flamingo Record Pool under Bill Kelly of WMC fame to playing guitar for the synth/goth band Life in Sodom.
His passion for both house and industrial music became the driving force behind his relocation to the Windy City, and the timing couldn’t have been more ideal. Bill quickly established himself in Chicago’s nightlife scene, securing residencies at iconic venues such as Shelter Nightclub, Crobar, and SmartBar. He soon emerged as a key figure in Chicago’s second wave of house and techno producers, with an influence that continues to inspire artists like The Black Madonna, KiNK, Axel Boman, and Matrixxman.
Bill’s sonic range is remarkably diverse, spanning contemporary Detroit techno and Chicago acid to obscure house and Italo disco gems. Today, you can find him performing at top venues across the U.S. and abroad.
His production journey began with a remix of Kay Ladrae’s “Lack of Love,” created in collaboration with Vince Lawrence and Karr Crash (of Sundowners). This project sparked a prolific period of releases, including a full-length album on Trax Records. Over the years, Bill has worked with IDF, 4 On The Floor, and notable Chicago vocalists Darryl Pandy and Shay Jones (best known for her work with Ministry).
Releasing music under aliases such as Sundowners, Billy Nightmare, and Savage Hymn, Bill has built an impressive catalog of original and remix work. His reinterpretations include Dennis Cruz’s “Los Corazones,” Hannah Holland’s “Come Correct,” Kiddy Smile’s “Teardrops in the Box,” and more recently, Natalie Smash’s “The Show” and ELO’s “La Pampara.” His own tracks have also been reworked by acclaimed artists such as Ricardo Villalobos and Eats Everything. Excitingly, Bill is set to release a new full-length LP, alongside a wave of upcoming singles and remixes of such artists as Tyree Cooper, Gratts, & Tao.
