5 June - Creative Careers

Robin Evans @ NAC...

We asked a range of creative professionals to tell us something about their education, background and career. Todays contribution is from performer and educator, Robin Evans

Robin Evans is a musician, event manager, community events producer, booking agent, and Lead Producer of Play Promote, who is based in Norwich.

I started out playing ukulele at open mics as a teenager and at university, but realised I could have more fun (and make more money) by hosting and putting on events myself.

Through going and playing at events, gigs and festivals I ended up hosting for a gin festival, putting on live music nights in a night club, running open mics and volunteering with a festival.

After moving to Norwich I lost a lot of my local contacts, so started again, working my way through open mics, engaging in the community, an writing, recording and releasing music.

Networking and making friends in the community opened doors for me – I started hosting the Voodoo Daddy’s Open Mic, created bands, played festivals, met promoters and booking agents, and started developing my creative, community production and industry skills.

All through this I was still volunteering with the festival, which led to me taking on a paid role as festival manager.

Throughout all of this I worked various different day jobs, and reinvested all money made from music, hosting and events back into my music.

With all of these experiences and skills I started working as Lead Producer of Play Produce Promote, a Youth Music project in Great Yarmouth.

In this role I put on gigs, open mics, and events for young people, run mentoring sessions, workshops and festival takeovers.

I also work with PRB Presents booking and promoting UK tours for international acts, and still work freelance events and festivals.

I currently have four projects: SNAKEMILK, Squat Lobster, The Hemlock Twins and also record and release music as a solo artist.

For me, I realised early on in my career I enjoy the community that music makes, and built my skills and experience around that. I never expect mainstream success with any of my projects, but do them for the love of them,, the desire to create the art I want, and to make music with my friends.