This month’s mix comes by way of Milan DJ and producer Evissimax, who delivers a high-voltage mix, an ode to blissfully sweaty nights on the dancefloor. Heavily inspired by the club-inflected sounds of Y2K rap and “2010s bangers”, her newest EP, Press X, is a provocative – and infectious – take on club music, a “trap rave baddie mixtape” in her own words. “It’s me taking up space and just showing myself unapologetically and just enjoying the person I’ve grown to be,” she says. 

Accompanying the release is a raunchy music video for the track “XXX”, which transports viewers into an alternative universe, where social media subliminals encourage users to consume X-shaped cakes that alter their perception of reality. Featuring Evissimax, real name Eva, at home, hallucinating a vampy club scene packed with saucer-eyed dancers and dark room antics, her message is loud and clear: rave is just a state of mind. As Eva puts it, “X represents danger, sexuality, sex, finding your place. X marks the spot”.

For her exclusive Dazed mix, Evissimax shares a raucous selection, including Slim Soledad, DJ Slugo, and DJ Funk. “I recently rewatched Blade, so this mix is very Black, vampy, sexy, acid, percussive, and techno,” she explains. “I wanted it to feel like the infamous club scene from the movie with a little bit more booty.”

Congrats on PRESS X. What is some of the thinking behind the EP, and its name?

Evissimax: Thank you so much! I wanted to make an EP that was very in your face and unapologetically baddie bossy. Through very cheeky lyrics, I wanted to let go of anger and a period of my life where I was made to feel little. I believed my voice didn’t matter and that I wasn’t allowed to take up space, so that’s exactly what PRESS X is to me.

I came up with the song names first and wanted every song to have an X present. The symbology of X is very important to me. When I just started DJing and had to pick my name, I was indecisive between Evissima and Evissimax. In Italian, when you add -issima to adjectives, it means ‘the most’ of something, so the X is like the most of the most. I was told that I would maybe get bored of the X and it would get obnoxious real quick. But, as someone who was, and sometimes still is, a people pleaser, the idea of being so obnoxiously myself was the thing that pushed me into choosing Evissimax.

It was such an empowering journey creating this EP with my producer, Deriansky. He really helped me amplify my voice and create the PRESS X world.

The EP is inspired by the rap anthems that shaped your adolescence. Any artists/tracks in particular?

Evissimax: I listened to so much Khia; she was definitely the biggest inspo lyrics-wise. But also Lil Wayne’s Lights Out album, in particular. Ying Yang twins, Gucci Mane, Wake Flocka, and David Banner. A lot of 2000s southern rap and 2010s bangers. I love the feel rap had between the 2000s and the 2010s. The beats were super clubby and sexy – and the lyrics were too naasssttyyy.

“Listen to whatever hypes you up. I’ve felt super cunty listening to some Erykah Badu and Sade”

What makes the ultimate baddie mixtape?

Evissimax: I would say anything that makes you feel like the hottest person in the room. Definitely a mixtape you sing along to and with every bar, your confidence just gets higher and higher, and the beat has gotta make you move, drop it, shake it, all of that. It doesn’t need to be rap; listen to whatever hypes you up. I’ve felt super cunty listening to some Erykah Badu and Sade, too.

How did you get into DJing?

Evissimax: I actually started by randomly deciding to go to my friend’s collective, Slipmode’s DJ workshop. It was a very safe space to explore something new for me, and I loved it so much. I got my first controller that day and just dived fully into becoming a DJ. I asked every single one of my DJ friends for lessons, and thankfully, they were kind enough to help me out. This is why I say that community is so important to me. Without Slipmode or my label Funclab, all my DJ friends and their kindness, I probably wouldn’t be Evissimax.

Do you have a favourite track you like to play?

Evissimax: Oh my god. It changes every few months. I would say recently I’ve loved playing a blend between “M.F.U remix” by M3B8 and DJ Travella’s “Mchakamchaka” – a very afro-trap, high-energy blend.

Describe your perfect day.

Evissimax: Start with breakfast in a bar with an espresso macchiato and the butteriest croissant ever. Then go to an amazing studio. I was recently in one called Studio Delta in Paris, phenomenal, so a studio like that with my producer friends, and we just go crazy and flow the whole day, writing a bunch of songs, then back home for a nap. Late,r getting together with friends for a nice dinner with some natural wine, and then ending with a fun club night, where we shake booty and a DJ set that isn’t too late in the night, so I can sleep some more. I’m a baddie who loves to sleep.

What’s the best and worst advice you’ve ever received?

Evissimax: Best advice is, ‘it’s not that deep’, or ‘get a grip’. I say that a lot to myself and to my friends. I’m someone who suffers from anxiety, and I’m an extreme overthinker. Sometimes, I need to remind myself it isn’t that deep, kind of slap myself out of it. Whatever it is, I can handle it.

The worst advice I’ve received is, ‘you don’t need anyone’, along the lines of being cutthroat, and doing it on your own to achieve your goals. I’ve never agreed with that. I feel like, as a society, we’ve become hyper-independent and feel like if we have people who helped us along the way, it’s less of a win or less worthy. People love to say, ‘I did this all on my own’, and whenever I hear that, I think that it must be so lonely.

Tell us about your Dazed mix.

Evissimax: I really, really love this mix. I recently rewatched Blade, so this mix is very black, vampy, sexy, acid, percussive, techno. I wanted it to feel like the infamous club scene from the movie with a little bit more booty.

How were you feeling when you made it?

Evissimax: I was very happy and psyched. I was like, I would def pop my puss if I heard this at the club.

Tracklist:

“Slugzilla” – DJ Slugo

“SPDRIP” – badsista

“One street” – Dj Deep RH

“Shedding shame” – Maze

“Tracker” – DJ T-1000

“Perego” – Ambrukt

“The hot in psychotic” – SPFDJ

“Rhythm” – DJ FUNK

“DJEMBE TOOL” – Groove control

“Ayo technology” – Jensen Interceptor

“Tsipouro OD” – Troy Violens

“Space crusing” – Sharpside

“Raptorsito” – Entrañas

“Start your engines” – Silverback

“Press play” – SAINTCLAIR

“Blood is pumping” – Voodoo & Serank

“Jetlag” – Slim Soledad

“Rip and hang” – HomeSick

“Power of kickbass” – Get No & Rocco Arizona

“Shiver” – Stigmata

“Pick up your sword” – Yenkov

“Let me squeeze em” – DJ THADZ

“I’m totally insane” – J-O

“Waggle” – Harba

“Magic lsd donuts” – Alfa Cornae

“Qbt20” – Dj MM

“Hi-tek cycle” – Recluse

“Xxx” – Evissimax

“Faith,skin and pleasure” – Cńamha (Syn remix)

“Back to life” – Aiden (unreleased)

“Ende des zuges” – Cruciformis

“Miss max” – Evissimax (Miss Jay remix)

Listen to Evissimax’s exclusive Dazed mix above.