What is your name?
Thea Evans
What is your genre of music?
I’d say maybe a mix of Indie and Brit Soul? I like to mix up genres though! 🙂
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a UK based singer-songwriter who writes cathartic songs about trauma, healing, and just trying to get through it. I’m trying to make it, but to be honest as long as I have the people I love around me and get to make music I’m happy.
What made you go into music?
I’ve been singing ever since I was a kid to be honest. My teachers used to complain to my Mum on parents’ day about me singing too much in class. It’s always been a part of me in a way.
Who are your influences?
I love Joy Crookes, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen as my top three.
Are you signed?
Not yet! But (fingers crossed) I will be soon.
You released your new single ‘I’d Sell Out’, tell us more about the single.
This song was recorded in my childhood bedroom with my cat before we sold the house I grew up in. Me and my partner at the time we’re soon to have nowhere to go and (without ‘proper’ jobs), it felt really scary. I wanted to make music full time but it just wasn’t sustainable.
Now we live together in Bristol, have proper jobs, and I still make music. It’s pretty great
What is the meaning behind the single?
The song is about that feeling of hope when things get tough and you can’t see your way out, so you’re just clinging on to each other for hope. If it wasn’t for my partner I would have felt pretty hopeless, but we worked it out together.
What was the writing and recording process like?
I spent MONTHS trying to record a song the “proper” way, and it never felt right. I sometimes get insomnia and I was feeling really existential, and I couldn’t just sit in my bed anymore. So, I let my partner sleep, got out of bed and went into the next room in the hopes of making some music. Eventually I (clunkily) figured out a couple jazz chords. Whilst recording I came across the same issue. It didn’t feel or sound right. So, I spoke to my friend Ruby who told me “your music sounds best when it’s live”. So, I said stuff it to quality and did a live session instead with my cat! The recording isn’t perfect, but I think that’s what makes it.
Describe the track in two words.
Audio hug
Who did you work with on the single?
I had my partner Cam help me record the song and sent it over to the incredible Kiara Jordan for mixing/mastering. Big shoutout to them; so lovely and talented.
Will we see a Music video for single ‘I’d Sell Out’, what can we expect from the creative process?
I put out the recording for the live session up on YouTube here!:
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, can you give us a teaser of what to expect?
I’m working on album called “Dear in the Headlights”. It’s a coming of age album about growing up, thinking you know everything, and learning you don’t. I’m excited about showing everyone!
Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up and if so let us know where we can catch you at?
You can catch me running around Bristol and London trying to get on any open mic or gig that I can. If anyone’s putting on a gig, feel free to hit me up <3
What else can we expect in 2022?
Lots of music, videos, and stickers being hidden all around the UK to get the word out there.
Will we see any collaborations and if so, can you tell us more about them?
You’ll be seeing lots of collaborations with some incredible UK based producers, artists and creatives across the UK. Me and Kiara are currently working on some stuff for the album, along with Waypointdnb (not on some DnB Surprisingly!)
You founded ‘The Dear In The Headlights Project’, tell us more about the project and why you founded the project?
It started as an Instagram project during lockdown where a group of us collected together to get the word out about abuse in a way that wasn’t scary. I had a rough time with my relationships as a teenager and I (like many other people) had a lot of things come up through the floorboards thanks to lockdown.
So, I put some feelers out and had an amazing collective of people get back to me. It turned into some gigs, awesome content, and even a charity livestream raising £1000! I’m looking to get the project started up again now I’m settled in Bristol.
What is your mission for the project and how would you describe it in one sentence?
We make music and art with the hopes of getting young people talking about toxic relationships and abuse. Everyone’s met someone toxic in their life, so why don’t we talk about it more?
Please tell us how readers can help your project.
You can follow us on Instagram, and drop us a message if you want to get involved! I always need help
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Making music and playing shows. I couldn’t ask for more. Hopefully I’ll be at least a bit more successful than I am now though lol.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
(Prepare for basic white girl quote) “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.” I don’t know why but it’s been a comforter quote for me when things get hard.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My guitar, capo, ChapStick/Vaseline, a couple beers (for the nerves). cheeky bit of reverb
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes! I’m on Instagram and TikTok
