Exploring the Sound of Will Daley: A Journey Through Progressive House

Adnan Jakubovic
Sep 26
4 min read

Updated: Oct 7

An Insightful Conversation with Will Daley

(1) Hey Will. Welcome to Big Bells Digital. Can you tell our readers something about yourself and your current musical journey or evolution as an artist?

Thanks so much for having me! I’m someone who loves to experiment and escape from routine. Trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone is my recipe for an interesting life, haha! Growing up, I was lucky to be involved in various activities, from music and sports to competitive chess and baseball in college.

Musically, I feel like I’m finally coming into my own as an artist in the progressive house space. It’s been amazing to see support and plays from DJs on my tracks. This motivates me to keep improving the quality of my music. I want to push boundaries and innovate! Working with labels that are passionate about cool tunes, rather than being locked into a specific sound, has been a great experience.

When I start a track, I might have an idea or a direction, but I never know exactly where it’s going. That uncertainty is part of the beauty of the creative process! While there’s value in being able to identify an artist’s work immediately, I don’t feel tied to specific sounds or patterns. I just want to keep creating interesting music, and hopefully, people will enjoy it.

A new EP from Will Daley will be released on 03. October 2025 on Big Bells Records.

(2) Congratulations on your new release with Big Bells Records! Can you share a bit about your creative process behind these two songs? Which DAWs, plugins, or VSTs played a key role in shaping the sound of this release?

Thank you! I’m really excited about this release! I primarily use Ableton, and my go-to tools for bass, synths, and pads are Serum and Sylenth. I also incorporate a fair amount of samples for added interest and layering. I keep my plugin setup simple, partly because I don’t own many, and also because Ableton’s built-in capabilities are fantastic.

For Mobius, the deep, bubbly bassline guided the track's progression. It has a percussive feel, and the notes lean towards a darker direction. However, adding airy vocals lightened the mood, creating an interesting contrast. I experimented with lead plucks and simple synth notes that blend the dark with the light, much like a Mobius strip. I can almost imagine being on a beach, eyes closed, gently grooving.

When it comes to Currents, I found a really cool sample that became the foundation of the track. It features deep layered sub-bass and a powerful kick that adds punch. I also included gritty, distorted sounds that give it an aggressive edge. The synth lines create a maze-like vibe, while the airy pad adds a dreamlike quality. It’s a bit of a weird track, but I think it’s cool! Initially, I thought of Currents as water currents, but now I see it more as electrical currents.

Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Performances

(3) Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you in terms of future projects, releases, or performances?

Beyond this release, I’ve recently collaborated with Notamous, who owns the Kodai label here in Chicago. We’ve worked on several tracks together that are gaining traction and finding homes with Balkan Connection. I have one scheduled for 2026 with Mango Alley, which is very exciting! I’m also working on a couple of tracks with Yomo Records and my friend Miguel Ante on his new label venture, Mystic Nature.

My focus is on production and refining my skills. I would love to perform and share great music—both mine and others’—but that opportunity hasn’t come yet. So, for anyone reading this who wants to book me, I’m available! 😊

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The Vibrant Chicago House Music Scene

(4) How does the House Music and especially Progressive House music scene look in Chicago right now?

The Chicago house music scene is alive and thriving! Almost any night, you can find a DJ spinning tunes. Personally, I owe a lot to Chicago. It introduced me to the deeper cuts of house and progressive music. My first released track was with RJ Pickens and Vested Recordings, inspired by his set in Chicago years ago. That night made me ask myself, "How do I make music like this?"

Chicago consistently books incredible headliners, and the local talent opening for them sets the vibe beautifully. Most of these local DJs are producers themselves, so the music played is always top-notch. The progressive scene has a dedicated and passionate following. It’s like a family; you see the same faces at events. Many friendships formed on the dancefloor carry over into real life. This is unique to the progressive space, as people are there for the music, not just the party.

While Chicago is a competitive market, and clubs need to make their profits, I wish for more progressive bookings. However, we’re starting to see grassroots initiatives throwing their own parties. Miguel Ante’s Mystic Nature and Alfred Clayton’s Chicago Progressive House are great examples. There’s no shortage of music, DJs, and producers here. I hope to one day perform in the birthplace of this genre. If Balance ever wanted to do a US side quest, Chicago would be the place!