Experimental Sound Studio

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we’re reissuing some of our favorite ESS tee’s. Each release is on sale for one week only!

Damon Locks, one of ESS’s earliest collaborators, needs no introduction. The multifaceted artist seamlessly moves through mediums. While his musical practice as a solo artist, band leader, and in-demand collaborator gets a lot of airtime these days, his striking visual art is a core part of his body of work.

This is an all time fave. Now in a new colorway and ESS 40 embroidered tag. Grab one while you can!

Purchase at link in bio. Sales end May 25th.

Your purchase helps support the nearly 50 public programs (because why stop at 40?!) we’re presenting this year.

Follow Damon at
Damon Locks portrait by zakkiyyah najeebah dumas-o’neal

The 2026 OPTION concert series is around the corner.

In anticipation, we’ve added the 2025 performances and post-performance interviews to the Creative Audio Archive. Explore at link in bio.

OPTION is our flagship performance series curated by musicians Andrew Clinkman, Lily Finnegan, and Dorothy Carlos. Throughout the summer, we host intimate weekly concerts in ESS’s ivy-covered garden.

Stay tuned for the 2026 OPTION series announcement later this week.

Pictured here:

Applications are now open for the Ryan Deffet Studio Scholarship.

Link to application in bio.

The scholarship provides free engineered recording studio time to a group or musician working in the Chicagoland area. This Scholarship furthers Ryan’s legacy of creativity, generosity, and collaboration.
The goal of this initiative is to meet artists where they are in a recording project, giving them the time, space, and professional resources to complete production on a discrete project.

Artists may request anywhere from a single 8-hour day session, to a full 5-day (40 hour) investment, in which they could record, mix, and/or master a complete album. Proposals should consider what timeline will have the most impact on their project.

This juried opportunity is targeted to creative, passionate musicians and soundmakers whose project will be positively impacted by being able to work within a recording studio.