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Based in Birmingham, Robert Evans has travelled around the world with his music, playing over 160 venues worldwide including Ibiza and Las Vegas. As well as being a live DJ, Robert has turned his hand to original productions, several of which have been picked up by record labels this year. Bringing together sounds from House, Deep House, Tech House, Bass House, Future House and Funky House to make his own unique sound, we are excited to see what he comes up with next!

Getting to know Robert Evans

Artist name and location?

My name is Robert Evans and I am from Birmingham, England.

Introduce yourself in one paragraph:

I am a DJ and music producer. As a DJ, I have had the pleasure of playing at over 170 venues worldwide. As a producer, in 2022 alone, I have had almost 20 tracks signed by various record labels, as well as releasing stuff by myself too. By the end of 2022 there will most likely be at least 30 of my tracks released.

Were you connected with music from a young age, or anyone in particular inspired you?

Music was a big thing in my house growing up. My dad was Irish and loved listening to Irish Country and Folk artists such as Daniel O’Donnell and Brendan Shine. American Country music too, from the likes of Kenny Rogers. My mom was obsessed with Rod Stewart. I know more about Sir Roderick David Stewart than I probably should do to be honest!

What first kickstarted your musical career?

It was never my intention to want to be a DJ or to produce music. I was in my 20’s before the idea even crossed my mind. The type of music that I had become fascinated with was an underground sound known as Speed Garage and Bassline House. It was also known as “Niche” because that was the main venue in Sheffield where the music was being played. Anyway, for those unfamiliar with it, the majority of tracks were bootleg remixes with an RnB acapella, a bassline, an organ and a piano, usually at 136 BPM. Pirate radio played a massive part in helping to build that scene. Stations such as Mix FM and Silk City. I used to listen to these stations religiously at one point and some of the DJ’s from those stations would put out mixes for sale on CD that you could buy in certain music stores in Birmingham City Centre, such as Tempest Records. I would buy these CD’s and I would also go to club events of a weekend to listen to these DJ’s play the tunes that I was hearing on the CD’s and on the Pirate radio shows. There was a place in Birmingham called Moon Lounge and I was pretty much like part of the furniture in there but I can remember being in there one night having an amazing time listening to the music that I loved and I can’t even explain why but something in my mind suddenly told me that I would love to be the one playing the music. From that moment I put my focus on trying to become a DJ and having the dream to one day play at that venue.

Tell us more about your sound and how it has evolved.

As I said, the music I had become fascinated with was mainly an underground sound, so for many years it was just a continuation of bootleg remixes in that same style. In 2008, I decided to want to try and put a few remixes out of my own but I didn’t really have a clue about making a proper track other than knowing how to build a basic track on the production DAW called Fruity Loops but they would have been nowhere near good enough to be played in nightclubs. A lot of people were paying sound engineers to build the tracks for them. At this time it was mainly a teenage lad called Chris, who was known as “Loz” and he would build these tracks for people from his bedroom in his parents’ house. I ended up doing three remixes with him and I used to love sitting there giving him my ideas and watching him do his production magic on the DAW called Reason, which used to boggle my brain. You could tell back then that one day he would go on to do much bigger and better things within the music industry and he has done exactly that. You may know him as his alias Chris Lorenzo!

This underground sound had pretty much died off by the end of 2009 and I wasn’t really that bothered about switching to play other genres that I wasn’t passionate about so I decided to give the DJ-ing a backseat and go and concentrate on other things in life instead. I would still record a mix now and again and upload them on to sites such as Mixcloud and Soundcloud but I wasn’t active on the DJ scene anymore. By 2014, I had really gotten into a new found love for House music. I had a job that included me working away a lot but it was always my intention to be an active DJ again. I went to DJ in Magaluf in 2017 at a couple of clubs, a boat party and at a hotel pool party and it all reinforced the idea of being an active DJ in my hometown again but with other commitments in my life at the time I knew I had to keep waiting. By the time I was ready and able to commit to it and accept bookings again the Covid pandemic was about to shut the world down! I used this time to properly learn how to produce and it was during 2021 that I started to put my own original music out on to the major stores and streaming platforms.

My productions range from House to many different genres under the House music umbrella such as Tech, Deep, Funky and Future. I’ve even made a Trance track!

Any words you want to share to encourage other artists and producers?

Be yourself and have fun! As a DJ I would say don’t try to be somebody you’re not just to try and fit in with certain crowds. Keep practicing and keep doing your own thing. Put free mixes out onto Mixcloud and Soundcloud, even if it’s only one a month. There are 28-31 days in a month. If you can’t commit to recording a one hour mix once a month then you probably aren’t as committed to music as you think you are.

If you want to play at a certain event, why not buy a ticket to attend the event. Go and experience what it would be like to DJ there and pay attention to the type of tracks that are proving to be popular with the crowd. At the end of the day, there will be better DJ’s than you out there and as important as mixing ability is, the ability to read a crowd is a massive factor. Personally, I would happily listen to a DJ who may make the odd mistake here and there but plays amazing tunes instead of a DJ who mixes flawlessly but plays tunes that don’t really do the business.

Social media is massively important these days. You need to be constantly thinking of ways to promote yourself as an artist and how you can improve your online presence. Something that I need to keep doing myself too! 

As a producer then just keep learning and keep trying new things. Sit in front of YouTube tutorials, take notes and then implement them into your DAW. Don’t be discouraged if you are sending music out to labels and you are getting rejections or not hearing back at all. If this happens then put the tracks out yourself instead and then try again with the next track that you produce. There is no rush. Build that discography up by yourself and then once you gain more exposure you will have a nice back catalogue of releases for people to go and check out. I put out seven tracks by myself before I even tried to get a track signed.

Networking, consistency, character, approach… what and how do you initiate your Industry relationships?

I’ve just mentioned that you should always be yourself. Let other people know exactly who and what they are getting when dealing with you. If you’re not their cup of tea then it is their loss, not yours. In regards to networking, I mentioned buying a ticket to attend an event. This shows the promoter that you are supporting what they are doing with their events. You’ll most likely get to meet other DJ’s at these events too. Some of them will be in the exact same boat as you. I feel like it is so much easier to network with fellow DJ’s, producers and promoters these days because of social media. We only really had MySpace when I was first starting!

Always be respectful of other people who are trying to do what you are doing. You can easily get caught up in the dramas that the music scene can involve but it is always important to remember that if you are doing things right then you are competing with nobody! The music industry needs a lot more of that. If you start to make a name for yourself, don’t start looking down at other DJ’s and producers who are in the position that you were once in. There is far too much of this already! Stay humble. Be someone that other artists can try and take some inspiration from.

Is there anyone specific you’d like to thank that has helped you evolve and why?

I have far too many people to thank who have helped me in music over the years. From a DJ-ing standpoint then firstly I have to mention a guy called Shaun Hayes, who was known as “Softy” because he was the promoter who gave me my first official booking in my hometown at a venue called Scarlets. I also need to give thanks to guys known as Davey Boy, Nicky G and Tom Shorterz. Those three ran the events at Moon Lounge. Davey Boy also ran an underground record label called Ecko Records, alongside Nicky G. They also ran events at the venue upstairs called Hidden and they would sometimes have Hidden and Moon Lounge open together to create even bigger events. I played at those two places more times that I could even remember, as well as many other venues around the West Midlands where they would hold events. As well as this, Davey Boy allowed me to become an artist for Ecko and he put out some of my tracks on vinyl.

I started on the Birmingham nightlife scene in January 2007 and within a few months I was playing at four venues pretty much every single Friday, with three of them being thanks to Shorterz. 

I also need to thank a guy known as DJ Sparks, who is sadly no longer with us. Sparks was one of the big names on the Birmingham scene and he was very well respected. In an industry full of backstabbing, you would never hear a bad word said about Sparks, which said it all about the type of person he was. For some reason he took a liking to me and he would always be giving me advice, even if I hadn’t asked. Some of that advice is still in my head 15 years later and I can still hear him saying it to me.

There is one more DJ who I would like to thank and his name is Joe Hunt. Remember I mentioned that DJ’s would sell mix CD’s? I used to buy a copy of every CD that Joe used to put out. I still have them all now. His “Phunky Basslines” series was hugely popular. He’s now doing big things in his own right which is great to see because I know how hard he has worked to achieve it all. I’m fortunate enough to have the opportunity to DJ at Joe’s “NICE Underground” events to this day, which always attract sellout crowds of thousands of ravers from all over the UK. These events are by far my favourite events to play at in Birmingham! Not only is Joe a good friend of mine, he’s also been a huge influence on me as a DJ and he’s always supported my own music stuff. Cheers, Joe. 

As far as music production goes, I need to thank all of the producers who go through the time and effort to upload production tutorials onto YouTube. I cannot explain how much I learned about music production during the Covid pandemic thanks to watching these guys. There is also a guy called Paul Sirrell, who is an amazing producer. I have personally worked with Paul on a handful of tracks over the last couple of years and working with him is always a humbling experience as it makes me realise that no matter how good I think I’m doing with my own productions, there are levels to this and Paul is levels above me. I’d also like to thank all of the record labels who have been signing my tracks. I truly appreciate it. The amount of demo’s that some of these labels will be receiving on a daily basis will be crazy! The fact that they choose my tracks to sign and release is something that I will be forever grateful for.

Name 3 albums or labels that have inspired you the most.

I’ll name one album and two record labels.

When I was a kid, I used to always have those “Now That’s What I Call Music” compilation albums. Firstly on cassette tape then on CD as technology evolved.

I remember whenever it was Christmas or my birthday, my wish lists would always include the latest volume in that compilation series. I still have them all to this day in a box in my loft!

I’m going to mention Joe Hunt and his “Phunky Basslines” CD’s again here because they definitely helped to inspire my dreams as a DJ. I remember going on holiday with my mates (to Tenerife again) and we’d take a portable CD boom box with us in a JD Sports drawstring bag and we’d be blasting out the Joe Hunt CD’s on our hotel room balcony as we were getting ready to go out every night.

It would be ignorant of me to not mention a huge label such as Defected. If you’re producing House music then the dream surely has to be to one day get a track signed by Defected or one of the other huge House music labels doesn’t it?

What’s your favourite piece of studio equipment or software?

I knew the basics on Fruity Loops from back in 2006, so during the Covid pandemic when I wanted to try and learn how to produce properly I decided to go with Fruity Loops again, which is now known as FL Studio. A lot of producers who I know and speak to use Logic or Ableton. I suppose it’s just down to personal preference and whatever works for you. I currently don’t have a room full of fancy and expensive equipment, simply because right now I don’t really need it. If you know what you’re doing then you can build good enough tracks within your DAW with free plug-ins and royalty free vocals and samples. A lot of what I have used in past productions has been from Splice.

Name your favourite club or festival in the world, and how does it makes you feel?

I’ve never been but from the pictures and videos that I see, Tomorrowland looks absolutely out of this world! Then you have other huge festivals such as Coachella, Creamfields and the Electric Daisy Festival. I could sit here for hours naming clubs. From places such as Ushuaia and Amnesia in Ibiza, to clubs such as Hakkasan in Las Vegas.

Somewhere that will always hold a special place in my heart is a place in Tenerife called Tramps, which is the best club on the Island. I have been very fortunate enough to DJ there many times in the past. At one point I was playing regularly after the Trance DJ, Dave Pearce. I developed tinnitus because of Dave Pearce in around 2005, so cheers for that, Dave!

Name an outlandish rider request? 

Me personally, I would never request anything crazy on a rider but I do hear many stories of what other artists request and it blows my mind. As long as the venue has good equipment that works properly and also a good monitor in the DJ booth then that’s all that matters to me.

Favourite clubbing memory, who or what did it involve?

I’ve got far too many good clubbing memories from over the years so it would be very difficult for me to narrow it down. In my younger years I used to be partial to a foam party. I remember going to a good one at some castle looking place in Tenerife.

I’ve mentioned Tenerife far too many times but I suppose it just shows what that place means to me and how many good memories I have from being there.

I watched Roger Sanchez play an amazing set at Pacha in Ibiza. That would have been around 2007.

What quote represents you best?

Hard work pays off. That’s something that I always live my life by and I don’t just mean in music, I mean in life in general. Whatever I have achieved in adult life has been achieved through hard work. Absolutely nothing has been handed to me and I wouldn’t have it any other way because it has made me the person that I am today. My mind is bulletproof. I have my goals and dreams and I will continue to work hard to achieve them. I like to joke around a lot and wind people up but when it’s time to be serious then I’m laser focused. Let people hate on you and let people doubt you because if you stay focused and work hard to achieve things then it will always be you who has the last laugh. 

If you could play any venue, where would it be and why? 

Tomorrowland. I’d happily settle for one of my tracks being played there instead though as it’s more achievable. A massive festival alongside some of the biggest artists in the world has to be the dream as a DJ. I’ve played at one in Poland but my set was quite early and although I was and still am very grateful for the opportunity, it was a bit underwhelming. I think it was a sellout of around 8,000 people but there were probably less than 2,000 people there during my set. Still a good crowd but I would love to experience something on a much bigger scale one day. I see loads of video clips from some of the biggest DJ’s in the world playing at the biggest festivals and to experience being behind those decks and looking out at a massive crowd who are enjoying what you are doing would be something very special.

Music is….. (explain more)

The answer! That’s my answer. Music is the answer. The power of music can never be underestimated. Music can help you through some difficult times in your life. It can also motivate you. If I’m at the gym I would struggle to get through a vigorous cardio workout without my custom made playlists. Think about how many memories you have that involve music in some way. Or the people who you have met through music. The way music connects people is amazing.

One song you really couldn’t live without?

It’s so tough to name just one! It depends what mood I’m in! I’m going to choose one that has absolutely nothing to do with what I do as a DJ or a producer.

I’ll go with Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop. One of the reasons that I’ve gone with this song is because I saw them live and this was the song that they started the show with, which had me sat there in complete amazement at how good they performed it.

That concert is the best live music concert that I have ever been to.

Name drop your favourite tunes, artists or DJs (past or present)

My current favourite is James Hype. I think he’s amazing at what he does. As a DJ he makes me look like an amateur! As well as this, his productions are usually on the money too. His track entitled “Ferrari” is easily one of my favourite tracks of 2022.

DJ EZ. The undisputed godfather of UK Garage music. An unbelievably talented DJ. I’ve stood in the same DJ booth as him and he’s had me mesmerized at some of the tricks and transitions he was doing. All of these years later and he’s still doing amazing things, including 24 hour streams for charity and in those 24 hours you will not hear one bad mix! I don’t know how he does it. I did a 5 hour club set a few months ago and I couldn’t move properly the next day!

I’m a massive fan of production duo Block & Crown, who are the absolute kings of Funky House. I always have some of their tracks included in my playlists ready for my club sets.

What was your first music opportunity and how did it fuel your fire?

I mentioned Moon Lounge and Scarlets in my hometown earlier on which was in 2007 but my actual first music opportunity was in 2005, overseas in yes, you guessed it, Tenerife.

I was only a bedroom DJ at the time and I was definitely nowhere near good enough to be playing in club venues yet but I remember there was a Tenerife website that had a chat forum and there was a DJ section. Joe who ran Bobby’s Bar was looking for new DJ’s and because I had a holiday booked already I put my name forward and I was told to go and see him when I got to Tenerife. This was back in the vinyl days. I took my vinyl bag on the plane with me as hand luggage. On my second day in Tenerife I went to see Joe at Bobby’s and he gave me a two hour set for the night after.  It was the warm up set and although I played well, I was playing a few too many tracks that would be classed as “main set” tracks and as it was the vinyl days I didn’t have the luxury of being able to change to a different playlist on a USB. I saw Joe coming to see me and I thought he was going to tell me off but he said to me I’m going to put you on again but at a later time. So I ended up playing again and it was main set. From my bedroom in Birmingham to the main set at Bobby’s Bar, which was one of the most popular venues in Tenerife.

I absolutely loved it and I knew this is what I need to be doing more often. If you know Tenerife then you know Joe Quaranta. A proper Tenerife nightlife legend. Good times, good memories.

Tell us more about your plans for the future.

I just want to keep making music that I feel is good enough to be out there on the music stores and streaming platforms. I’ve got so many different ideas for potential tracks! I’d also love to collaborate on some tracks with certain producers that I admire.

I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and see where it takes me. I wouldn’t mind seeing some new places around the world through music too if the opportunities arose.

My main goal in music right now is to be known as a respected House music producer and if I keep doing what I’m doing then I know that I will achieve that goal one day.

Any worldly advice you’d like to share?

Treat people how you expect to be treated. Never stop chasing your dreams and most importantly, listen to music produced by Robert Evans.

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