We talked to DJ/producer Thought Process before opening for STS9 in Chicago about his recent album release and what’s in store for 2026.
Thought Process is an artist that has been on our radar since first seeing him perform at Gem & Jam Festival in Arizona a couple years ago. Blending funk, hip-hop, bass music, breakbeats, and more, he’s an artist that has established a strong community of passionate fans supporting his music.
This is evidenced in the rollout of his debut 2025 album, The Endless View. The album was available exclusively on vinyl for the first several months of its initial release. Sold only at shows and merch pop-ups, it sold hundreds of copies before even hitting streaming services. “The Endless View was my first major attempt at stepping outside of my boundaries…it was my most deeply personal artistic attempt at showing the range that I’m capable of and the types of sounds I’m interested in,” he told us.
Thought Process (real name Joseph Rich) is doing things differently and doing them well. A big part of this success is his unique outlook on his artist career and on the music scene as a whole. He views everything as an ecosystem, where each part is just as important as the next. “The fans are as important as the bartender, who are as important as the promoters, who are as important as the DJs and artists. Every aspect of it is of equal value. Just like in real life with biodiversity, everything is essential and important. Respecting that rule has really helped us maintain and grow a grassroots movement. We treat everyone with equal value, and everyone feels that.”
He considers himself a fan of the music first, which is reflected in his passion for the scene and his humble and grateful attitude. Rich crossed off a bucket list item in opening for several STS9 shows on their current tour, raving about the positive attitude of the band and their genuine interest in his sets and music.
Thought Process’ opening set at Ramova Theatre before STS9 was performed alongside Osis, a live guitarist who he first met when performing in Chicago at Chop Shop before KOAN Sound years ago. Rich often implements live instrumentation into his DJ sets. After seeing Osis play guitar in the opening slot before his, he invited him on stage to riff to his music. Now, years later, the two continue to perform together.
Last year also saw the debut of the Thought Process live band. After performances at Of The Trees’ Camp Alderwild festival in Colorado and Tipper’s weekender at The Gorge, Thought Process continues to push the boundaries of his music and experiment with new sounds and instruments. This will be even more apparent on his next album, which is expected some time in 2026. It’s the most he’s experimented with external gear in the studio, implementing analog synthesizers and pedalboards like never before. Festival appearances this year include Elements, Florida Groves, and more to be announced.
Thought Process also manages the record label and music collective All:Lo with his close friends Parkbreezy, Pheel, TF Marz, and Scarien. He describes it as “music by the people, for the people”. Cause & Consequence, a 2025 drum n bass EP from Thought Process, was released exclusively on the label.
With more art and music coming soon and some massive recent releases, Thought Process is an artist to continue to watch. His career is about more than just music – it’s about the people, vibes, and community that make this scene so special.
Story: @michael__premier
Photos: @harrisonlupfer
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