Hot on the trail of the release of his debut eponymous album, Chicago-based artist Evidence of a Struggle (a.k.a. multi-instrumentalist William P C Simmons V a.k.a. Rev. Billy Simmons) is back to share with us the latest audio-visual offering in a series of storytelling videos that currently numbers four – following up
This one is for the album’s high-octane first track ‘Sal-E’ and fellow Chicago artist John Airo, is the man behind these talented animations. Airo has been involved with this project since the outset – creating videos, album covers and accompanying visuals for live performances. Through this collaboratve multi-chapter audio-visual storybook, Evidence of a Struggle’s lush, cinematic, beautiful and sometimes chaotic compositions take on a life of their own
“In my mind, for this song, I could see an epic entrance for a prizefighter. That fighter was fighting somebody that was and is building that paradigm, a rapidly inflating and increasingly detached dogma. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?! John seemed to mirror that feeling with this video. It feels like a call for a beleaguered society to WAKE UP!,” says Rev. Billy.
Earlier, Evidence of a Struggle shared videos for their debut cinematic single ‘Do’Oa’ (a wonderful fusion of Tortoise and Dif Juz), followed by‘Alan’s Song’ (the sound of fear, beauty and hubris), and ‘Bisquee’ with its engaging off-kilter post-rock
Evidence of a Struggle began in 2020 during lockdowns. This ambitious effort sees Rev. Billy play every instrument – guitar, drums, piano, synth and violin – recorded and engineered from his home studio, The Glue Factory. Once Covid restrictions were lifted, Rev. Billy began working with renowned sound engineer Sanford Parker (Voivod, Russian Circles, Yob, Eyehategod, Wovenhand, Darkthrone, Youth Code, Pelican), who handled the final production, recording and mastering of the final versions of these songs.
In 2023, Matt Walker (of1000faces, Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, Garbage, Filter) became involved in this project, playing drums and helping with production with Matt’s brotherSolomon Walker (Morrissey, Bryan Adams, Eastern Shadows, Year of the Rabbit) and Alan Berliant (Chris Connelly, Mavis Staples, Saint Asonia) also contributing bass.
Apart from music, Rev. Billy also owns Rev. Billy’s Chop Shop, also known as an inclusive, creative space, hosting new artists’ work bimonthly and declared by Chicago Reader as the city’s best gallery in 2019. Rev. Billy’s Chop Shop is as strong a passion as his music.
The ‘Evidence of a Struggle’ album was released on June 9, available via Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.
CREDITS
All music written by William P C Simmons V (aka Rev. Billy)
Performed by William P C Simmons V (aka Rev. Billy)
Produced by Sanford Parker
Loveless Publishing ASCAP
Video by John Airo
Discover the post-everything world of Evidence of a Struggle
Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music
