ICE atm (also known as ICE) is a Sicilian-American artist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Born Ian Christopher Evans on May 17, 1996, in Catania, his stage name comes from his initials. His work blends introspective lyricism with a genre-fluid sound that pulls from hip-hop, rock, soul, funk, R&B, and lo-fi.

Early life and background

ICE atm was born in Catania to an Italian mother and an American father, Jeremy. His mother, Rosalba, was highly creative, with a strong interest in music, drawing, sewing, and arts and crafts. His father was a musician who played bass for the Sicilian band Flor De Mal and had moved to Sicily after joining the U.S. Navy and being stationed at Sigonella, where he met his mother.

After his parents separated, his father returned to the United States when he was 2 years old. He was raised primarily by his mother in Sicily in a low-income household.

At age six, he began learning keyboard through his uncle, who introduced him to the basics. From there, he quickly developed an ear for music, teaching himself to play songs and eventually creating his own melodies. His early influences included Italian rap artists such as Mondo Marcio, and Fabri Fibra, along with singers like Tiziano Ferro. He also listened to a wide range of international artists, including Bob Marley, The Who, and The Beatles.

Move to the United States

At 11, he moved to Madison to live with his father. He arrived without speaking English and had to adjust to a completely new environment.

During that time, he experienced financial instability, living on food stamps while his father worked as a cab driver and struggled to make ends meet. Music became one of the few constants. It helped him learn the language, process the transition, and connect with his father through jam sessions.

Musical beginnings

At 12, he was introduced to FL Studio and began making beats and writing songs. Using the demo version—where projects couldn’t be saved—he would create and export everything on the spot.

He first released music under the name Xyz, building a foundation in boom bap and classic hip-hop. His early work focused on introspection, technical writing, and self-expression, drawing influence from artists like Nas, Big L, Elzhi, Big Pun, Pro Era, AZ, and J Dilla.

Artistic development and name changes

He later adopted the name ICE Borealis, where he began experimenting with more modern production, including 808-driven drums and trap elements.

From 2016 to 2021, he released music under the name ICE, expanding his sound into darker, more atmospheric territory influenced by underground and SoundCloud-era rap, while still continuing to explore boom bap, melodic tracks, and rock-inspired ideas.

In 2021, he rebranded as ICE atm, marking a shift toward a more complete and defined artistic identity.

Personal life

In 2020, his mother passed away after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he was unable to be with her when she passed.

The loss marked a difficult period in his life, contributing to a darker stretch that included struggles with substance. At the same time, it pushed him deeper into his work, driving a more intense focus on music and a desire to make her proud.

These experiences, along with growing up in low-income environments and navigating cultural displacement, continue to shape his perspective and influence his music.

Career and live performances

For the past decade, he's been active in the independent music scene in Madison, organizing events and performing at venues such as The Rigby, The Annex, Quality CBD, The Frequency, Lothlorien Co-op, and various underground shows. His extensive catalog of music, including a steady output of music videos, mixtapes, and EPs, reflects a highly prolific and versatile approach to his work.

Current work

After taking time to refine his direction, ICE atm is back with a more mature and polished sound, incorporating elements of rock, soul, funk, R&B, and lo-fi.

As a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and performer, he moves across genres without being tied to a single style. His upcoming album, ALBA, named after his mother Rosalba, represents a new phase in his work and is set for release in summer 2026, with a vinyl edition planned.