Living a Life of Vibrancy With Lee Ann Roberts

lee ann roberts
Author : Chelsi Sherrell
March 08, 2023

Living a Life of Vibrancy With Lee Ann Roberts

In Lee Ann Roberts’ hands, even the hardest techno can have subtlety and soul. The Amsterdam-based, South African-born artist has become a prominent force in the global techno scene thanks to her fierce determination and vibrant creative touch. She leads with her own NowNow label — a self-reliant platform that nods to the South African colloquialism meaning “soon”, which means a call to surrender to the moment, and follow where the music takes you. It’s a mantra she’s lived by as her career has sharply risen — from debuting on Spanish label Suara with “Miyamoto” and instantly scoring number two on Beatport’s Hard Techno chart.

She’s simultaneously been growing NowNow with her own productions and dropping alongside remixes from verified legends like D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Jay Clarke, and Dense & Pika. The vitality in Roberts’ sound undoubtedly comes from her broad outlook, inspired as much by the revolutionary misfits of rock as the visionary pioneers of electronic music. Her attraction to unusual and distinctive qualities in the music she makes and plays all add up to one of the most exciting forces in contemporary techno.

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Now joining with 6AM once again, Lee Ann Roberts divulges about her recent USA gigs, discovering electronic music for the first time in South Africa, traveling abroad, expressing her deep appreciation for other cultures, the production process behind her recent EP Alter Ego, the meaning behind Alter Ego, being inspired by her friends and other artists, upcoming collaborations and events for her imprint NowNow, her travel must-haves, reminiscing favorite spots in the US, and her excitement for returning to Los Angeles. Alter Ego is now available to purchase on Beatport and her recent Global Vibe Radio Mix is now streaming on our SoundCloud.

Buy ‘Alter Ego’ EP / Stream Global Vibe Radio Mix 

Global Vibe Radio 348 feat. Lee Ann Roberts (NowNow)

Hi Lee Ann, thanks for taking the time to chat with us at 6AM — our readers are very excited to know more about you ahead of your USA tour and LA show with us on February 11th! Not many people seem to know that you were actually born in South Africa. How was it growing up there?

Hey guys, thanks so much for having me, and so looking forward to my USA tour and my show in LA with you. Yeah, I get everything else besides South Africa until you hear me speak hehe. It was lovely growing up in Durban, which is a little surfer town on the east coast. Super chilled vibes and a nice way of life, amazing food, and amazing down-to-earth people. SA is still one of the most beautiful countries and I feel very blessed to have grown up there. It will forever be home.

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Is that where you first discovered electronic music? 

Yes, it was from the very early stages. My boyfriend, at the time, was putting on the best underground events in my hometown and the country, which gave me a rare insight into the industry. I had been collecting records already for ages and after being in the clubbing scene for a while, I decided to take to the turntables myself.

So, I learned the basics at Soul Candi and then spent the next 4 years playing in my room and anywhere they would let me, ha! I always had a strong love for electronic music. This led to me having a radio show on MuthaFM in Cape Town and I guess that’s when I realized there was a career move for me to take.

“I always had a strong love for electronic music. I decided to take to the turntables myself after being in the clubbing scene for a while, and collecting records already for ages. I learned the basics at Soul Candi and then spent the next 4 years playing in my room and anywhere they would let me.”

Lee Ann Roberts’ various experiences of electronic music solidified her passion for creating it.

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lee ann roberts

Photo by: @leeann_roberts (Via Instagram)

At some point, you ended up in Amsterdam but also by way of Los Angeles. How did that all come about?

Yes, I lived in the States from 2014-2018 as I got a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models in LA. I lived there for 3 years, then moved to NYC for one year. I used this time to study music production as well and worked on my first track with Jake Childs in Houston in late 2014.

I eventually got my own decks and had a small setup in my bedroom. Once my visa ended, I applied for my green card but at that time Trump canceled all applications. Luckily, my Italian passport came through after a 6-year wait — right at that exact time, so that was my sign to move to Europe. And I chose Amsterdam.

“I lived in the States from 2014-2018 as I got a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models in LA. I used this time to study music production as well and worked on my first track with Jake Childs in Houston in late 2014. Eventually, I got my own decks and had a small setup in my bedroom.”

Lee Ann Roberts always made time to prioritze her music.

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You’re quite the traveler, even before you began touring extensively! Have you lived in any other country/city I haven’t mentioned yet?

Yes — India, Indonesia, Greece, China, and México City.

lee ann roberts

Photo by: @leeann_roberts (Via Instagram)

If you could take something positive about each city you’ve lived in, what would it be? Let’s balance it out, how about the negative — is there something in each city you didn’t quite gel with?

I don’t really like to focus on the negative in anything, but my goodness Indonesia was hot — never experienced heat like that before. However, I loved all these places. I’m all about culture and experiencing new cultures — I like to get fully immersed. I am also a big fan of architecture and cuisine. I had the most incredible spiritual and cultural experiences in these places, particularly in India. 

“I loved all these places. I’m all about culture and experiencing new cultures — I like to get fully immersed.”

Lee Ann Roberts makes it her mission to experience positivity and beauty, not matter the location.

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Congratulations on your upcoming Alter Ego EP by the way. Can you talk us through the production process for this one and what inspiration brought you to complete the track?

Thanks, I’m very excited about this one — it’s been a long time in the works. With this one, I put the kick drum and the 303 through guitar pedals to get a little extra crunch. A lot of my tracks start out as jams — riding the 303 and Mutes like a DJ and then editing those jams into something more structured for the dancefloor. I’m just learning my craft as a producer and trying to develop my own sound and create music that I enjoy.

“I’m just learning my craft as a producer and trying to develop my own sound and create music that I enjoy. A lot of my tracks start out as jams and into something more structured for the dancefloor.”

When Lee Ann Roberts creates music she loves, she ends up learning more about herself.
lee ann roberts

Photo by: @leeannroberts07 (Via Facebook)

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You have three brilliant remixers for this project. How did you choose them, and why?

I love to invite artists that I am inspired by and would love to work with. Also with this release, all are friends who I really adore. They are all very different, and I have loved each of their unique styles for a long time. The remixes are incredible and well-produced. I am super happy with the outcome of this release.

“I love to invite artists that I am inspired by and would love to work with. I am super happy with the outcome of this release — this release are all friends who I really adore, and I have loved each of their unique styles for a long time.”

Lee Ann Roberts centers her projects around friendships, musical individuality, and what feels right.

Listen: Lee Ann Roberts “Alter Ego” (Tred Remix) – NowNow

Read Next: Premiere: Lee Ann Roberts “Alter Ego” – NowNow Records

Why did you name it “Alter Ego”? Is it in reference to something?

Honestly, when I make a track I never know what I’m going to call it, and once it’s complete, everything just jumps at me. With this track, I feel it’s a bit warped which made me think it’s my warped side that came out to play — haha, my alter ego ;). Then once I had this, I was able to create a story behind the project by being able to portray both one’s ego and alter ego simultaneously.

“I make a track, and I never know what I’m going to call it. I feel it’s a bit warped — this track. It made me think it’s my warped side that came out to play — my alter ego. By being able to portray both one’s ego and alter ego simultaneously, I was able to create a story behind the project.”

Experimenting with sounds and listening to her intuition is what leads Lee Anne Roberts to choosing a name for a track.

The release is out on your NowNow imprint. What other plans do you have for your label in 2023?

We have an EP from Danielle Ciuro next — then, a VA and another NowNow event in the works.

lee ann roberts

Photo by: @leeann_roberts (Via Instagram)

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Do you have other releases planned on other labels for the year that you can tease us with?

Yes, I have 3 really exciting remixes — a collab, a VA, and the rest are EPs. A lot of exciting things are coming your way this year.

While we are on the subject of talking about years, let’s backtrack to 2022 a bit. How was it for you? Can you tell us at least 3 of the highlights from the year, whether personal or related to your career?

I had an incredible year with work — things I only dreamt of. I joined my amazing agency Apelago, and played for Boiler Room and Fabrik Madrid. I had our first NowNow event which sold out, and my EP Guilty Pleasure on Marked went to number #1 in the top 100 releases. And, on a personal note, I’m 9 weeks sober — so stoked.

What’s the craziest thing that happened to you on tour?

Define crazy. Crazy stuff happens all the time, hehe.

What are three things you don’t leave on tour without? Other than your USB and passport, hehe.

Laptop, my BlueSky reverberator, and lint remover.

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lee ann roberts

Photo by: @leeann_roberts (Via Instagram)

Are you looking forward to being back in the States? Anything you want to do or anywhere you’d like to go in particular?

Yes, I’m so excited to see you all — counting down the days. I think I might try to squeeze in a snowboarding trip if it works, go to all my old favorite spots for food and treatments — and, I need to get my last 2 boxes from storage :).

By the way, when you lived in Los Angeles you played at Avalon often, which is somewhat hard to imagine for anyone who knows you and your music as of more recently. What were you playing back then and how does it feel to come back to play at a proper warehouse in February?

Yes, I played there a few times. Haha totally — back then I used to play Deep Tech but later on, I played Hard Techno in some small warehouses in downtown LA. It feels incredible. I’m so excited to see you guys soon — Xx.

Connect with Lee Ann Roberts: WebsiteSoundCloudFacebookTwitterBeatportInstagram