Photo: Foto Floor
Eva Shaw is as easy on the eyes as her music is on the ears, which is why the model-turned DJ is our #WCW breakout female artist of the week. Unlike other celebrity DJs (yeah, I’m talking to you Jon Gosselin) you can add “producer” to the multi-hyphenate Canadian’s title. She’s been making her own music for years, releasing bangers like “Moxie” on Afrojack‘s Wall Recordings, while becoming the “it” girl in the New York club scene.
Recently relocated to Los Angeles, Shaw has the cover model looks and radio-friendly songs to become not just a female Calvin Harris, but a superstar DJ in her own right. We had a chance to ask the verbose DJ/producer some questions via email about her new life in LA, latest single “Rise N Shine” featuring four-time Grammy Award winner Poo Bear and what it takes to make it in the male-dominated world of EDM.
Also: #WCW | Emma Louise Gets Personal
Crave: Tell us about the process behind “Rise N Shine” and what the song means to you?
Eva Shaw: I originally wrote “Rise N Shine” as an instrumental idea that was floating around on my laptop. Prior to this track, my other music has been more instrumental and club-based. I went into the studio with Poo (Bear) thinking, ‘what vibe will fit with him?.’ When I go into the studio with people now, I like to come up with some sort of idea or concept ahead of time that I would like to do with them. I’m a little shy meeting people and being open working with them since I am so used to being alone when I’m making music. Now I really love the process of being with the singer or writer together in the studio. Poo (Bear) is one of the first singers I’ve ever worked with.
Do you get a bigger thrill from doing a photo shoot or behind your decks on-stage?
Photoshoots are definitely fun and I enjoy them more now that I’m not doing them as a model. When you’re a model, it’s your job. You need to sell that product. When you do a photoshoot as an artist, you’re just being yourself. You’re promoting your brand.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to being an attractive DJ in the predominantly-male dominated world of EDM?
I think if you’re male or female it helps your career to be attractive if you’re in the public eye. Most celebrities are attractive or at least likable in appearance. There are just less female producer/djs out there so naturally people may talk about them more critically. I think if you see something you’re not used to, you can automatically have a preconceived notion. But everyone everywhere in life judges off appearance anyway, it’s just a product of our society.
Why don’t you see more high-profile female DJs?
There is definitely a lot of sexism in the EDM/big room/celebrity DJ world. I think people automatically judge something if they aren’t accustomed to seeing it. I’ve definitely encountered some of this. When I lived in Toronto, I saw Deadmau5. He was from my city and I was inspired because I felt that connection. I think it’s the same with females. The more female producer/DJs become big, the more inspired young girls will be to follow in their footsteps. People need a trigger or an inspiration/role model.
What was the moment you knew making music was your calling?
I always knew I wanted to be involved in music, I just wasn’t sure in what capacity. I sang, danced, tried a few instruments… I had seen a few DJs before (Deadmau5, Tiesto, etc) and I thought it looked like fun so I just started to make my own beats and taught myself to DJ at the same time. To be honest, I didn’t take it seriously as a profession for a long time but I kept getting requests to perform. Calvin Harris signed my first song “Charizma” to his label Fly Eye and then I thought maybe I can actually do this for a living.
What’s something people don’t know about you that they wouldn’t find on “the Gram”?
I like expressing myself in a lot of ways, such as sketching, painting and sculpting. I also love comedy. I watch stand up constantly and I’m a huge SNL fan. I like to cook and I’m a huge wine fan. I also love sports. Another thing you probably can’t tell from my social media is that I’m really shy. I’m shy meeting people and interacting but I’m getting better at it! Now this sounds like a dating ad … haha
Check out Eva’s Playlist Mix on Spotify, which kicks off with her “Rise N Shine” single…
