Artist Spotlight: EV
UK riser EV is turning real-life chaos into club anthems, winning over BBC Radio 1 and DJ Interplanetary Criminal. With viral bangers like English Lad and Friday Nights, his new single Thierry Henry kicks things up a notch. Catch him on tour across the UK, Australia, and France in 2024!
1. Your latest single, ‘Chaos’, is all about embracing the madness. What’s the story behind the track, and why did you decide to call it ‘Chaos’?
“It’s come from spending more and more time in London, I’m from Suffolk but this city is starting to feel like my second home now. It’s about how London changes when the sun goes down, for better and worse.”
2. You’ve got this amazing mix of energy and deep lyrics. How do you find that balance between real-life experiences and turning them into music?
“99% of my music is something I’ve experienced or friends or family, my biggest inspiration for my songs is the untold stories that go around my circle. I probably wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for my mates, or I’d be a very different artist. I love turning real life experiences into songs, that way each song is like a mini time capsule”
3. ‘Chaos’ is a nod to life on a council estate. How do you think your roots have shaped the music you make, and what do you hope others in similar situations take from it?
‘I think my roots have shown me a very real side to life, a lot of kids growing up may not get to experience life on a council estate and living in and out of different council houses, I feel like there is more lessons to be learnt, more characters to be met and a lot more stories to be told. Im very thankful.”
4. 2024’s been a massive year for you with so many releases. How has this whirlwind of a year changed your approach to making music, and what can we expect from your upcoming EP?
“2024 WAS HUGE! Felt like I was dreaming for most of the year haha, I wouldn’t say its really changed my approach to making music, I’ve learnt a lot this year, I’ve grown as an artist massively and I’ve learnt the importance of evolving. Right, this EP… it’s working class, its pirate radio, its 90’s nostalgia, its British punk rock and its rave culture perfectly wrapped up into a 8 track project. I’m happy with it and thats the main thing when making music, It represents me and where I’m from”
5. You teamed up with the director duo BABY for the ‘Chaos’ video. What was it like working with them, and how did you both bring your vision to life?
“AMAZING, Baby are brilliant, I think we done something that has never been done and thats exciting to me, keeping the visuals fresh and telling a story perfectly. Was weird to shoot as we shot the whole video in their back garden using green screens. It feels like an apocalyptic London.”
6. Your EP ‘Sunset Behind The Tower Blocks’ follows ‘DJ’s, Dealers and Ravers’. How does this new project stack up against your previous work? Is it a big leap or more of a natural evolution?
“It’s very much a natural evolution, when I finished ‘DJ’s, Dealers and Ravers’ I felt like I had a lot more to say, plenty more stories and plenty more UKG, breakbeat and dnd beats to rap over, the best way at looking at this new EP is its a much more mature EV, it’s an EP about coming to terms with the fact that I feel like I’m in the sunset of my youth, my raving days coming to an end and I’m growing up, where were going from here feels really really exciting”
7. You’ve got a knack for tapping into British working-class culture in your songs. How do you think club culture and music help give a voice to people who might feel overlooked?
“I think for years working class and club culture go hand in hand, these have been the people going out raving and forgetting about their 9 to 5’s on the weekend, I think it gives us people a voice, songs can be messages to how the country is really feeling, a great example of that is my song ‘Cuppa Tea’, its a song with a message, its highlighting a few problems we have with our government and its also highlighting the massive homeless/mental health problem we have on our UK streets.”
8. You’ve launched ‘EVISODES’ to give fans a peek behind the curtain. What’s been the best part of letting people in on your day-to-day life, and what have you learned from doing it?
“Evisodes are a great way for people to get to know me, my life is mental, my mates are mental so why not let people in on that, not only do people get to know me its also great entertainment and content haha. Will be very special in years to come to look back on this time of my life.”
9. You’re clearly crushing it with a packed schedule and growing fanbase. How do you stay true to yourself and keep your feet on the ground while all of this is happening?
“If I’m honest I’ve always been level headed, I worked as a HGV mechanic for 10 years before the music took off so I understand a very different side to life, I understand that a grand don't come for free. I’m also a new dad to my daughter Snoh, so being an artist and navigating life as a new dad gives me the perfect balance I need to keep me on track.”
10. You’ve had early love from folks like DJ Interplanetary Criminal and BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders. How does it feel to have such support, and does it keep you pushing harder?
“The support has been amazing, these people are inspirations to me, so to be co signed by these people is cool. It helps when people in positions of influence shine their light on you, its not necessary, however it helps a lot and its a nice reminder that you must be doing something right.”
11. ‘English Lad’ went viral, and ‘Friday Nights’ was Track of the Week on Radio 1. What do you think it is about your music that really clicks with listeners?
“I think its just real, authentic and honest music, i’m 99% sure you or someone you know can relate to the lyrics haha. In a world full of fake things I think its refreshing for someone to speak to truth and be relatable.”
12. You’re about to hit the road for a UK tour and some international dates. What’s the energy like for you before a big live show, and what do you want people to feel when they see you live?
“To put it simple… i’m buzzing!!!!! However the energy before a big show might not be what you expect, I usually worry myself sick about what could go wrong, have a couple of beers, if its that kinda night, then play Tetris on my phone to slow my heart rate down. Then we get out there and put the show of our lives on, just want people to forget their worries for an hour and soak in pure euphoria, if someone can leave an EV show thinking “he might be the best performer i’ve ever seen” then I’ve done my job and everyones happy.”
13. You’ve mentioned that you see yourself as part of a legacy of working-class poets. Are there any musicians or artists you look up to who’ve inspired your journey
“Mike Skinner of The Streets, or uncle Mike as I refer to him haha, absolute legend, made working class people felt heard, nothing shiny or fake, just a real geezer making real music for the people. In terms of inspiration, theres a big list, but just to mention some names there’s Damon Albarn, Robert Smith of The Cure, Skepta, Fontaines D.C., the lads from Ireland made me feel music again which was nice, we could literally be here all day about who inspires me.”
14. Your lyrics feel really relatable and grounded. How do you want your music to keep inspiring people, especially those who might not always feel represented?
“As i’m growing older i’ve realised that music and songwriting is a perfect place to have a message and to represent the un represented. If I can get people to think or act by the lyrics I write then thats a great thing, some of my lyrics might not change the world, but if I can change one persons perception or outlook on the right things, then thats a win for me.”
15. With all the success and projects coming up, what’s the big dream for you? Anything in particular that you’re super excited to dive into next?
“The big dream for me… massive question but i’m a huge believer in manifestation so here we go… To be able to do music full time forever is the honest truth, then obviously a world tour, a BRIT award for best album, a number 1 song, Banksy design my album cover, headline Glastonbury (these things are nice, however, not necessary, I’d be happy with the first one).