Joining us at the Kef Space in the Nexus Lounge, Amsterdam, we spoke with Eva Simons about her music, her inspirations, and the importance of embracing fun and passion in your music
An Amsterdam artist to the core, Simons first hit the music scene in 2004. After graduating from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, she entered the Dutch edition of Popstars The Rivals. That TV appearance led to a brief stint in the band Raffish before leaving the next year. Of course, Simons’ career has come a long way since then, with both massive singles and collaborations with the likes of will.i.am and Afrojack.
Speaking of Afrojack, Simons says her first Amsterdam Dance Event came right in the aftermath of their collaboration, just as she was still finding her way into the industry. Describing how it felt back then, she notes just how much the event has changed in the years since. “I think that’s when it suddenly became a thing,” she says, “before that it was just like parties.”
Of course, that’s far from the only way in which the music industry has changed since Simons first broke in – a fact she’s not afraid to point out. Talking about her inspiration in the sheer fun of artists like the Jackson 5, Britney Spears, and the Backstreet Boys, Simons said that we need to return to the era of really cool hits rather than weekly streams.
As a music lover, to her core, it should come as no surprise that Simons enjoys listening to music.
“I feel like you can get comfort from music. If I’m in a bad vibe, I need music - or I need food.”
When asked about the message and theme of her music, she had one consistent focus that seems to be a philosophy throughout her life: fun comes first. “I feel like everyone’s so serious right now,” says Simons, “but like, where’s the fun? Why are we not having fun anymore? Are we afraid someone will laugh at us?”
And this fun first mindset is something that she’s even been translating into her own music as of late. When asked about her upcoming projects, she said that she’s been working to avoid overthinking and just play. Right now she says she’ll be spending the next month or two in the studio “recording every stupid idea I have and every silly word” until she’s ready to release.
Last but not least, we asked about her advice for young, up and coming musicians. She said to write the music you would have written when you were eight years old and, of course, “screw the trolls!”
