Contributing WriterRising DJ and producer Elicia Evelyn has been making serious waves in the house scene, with a standout year taking her from Mixmag and PIV to international dancefloors at OFF Sonar in Barcelona and 528 Ibiza. Known for her high-energy sets and eclectic approach to house music, drawing on everything from Chicago house and disco to UKG, Italo and minimal, Elicia continues to keep dancefloors on their toes.
Following her debut release, I Surrender on Moxy Muzik, she returns with Keep Them Guessing, a fresh and bass-heavy outing on Griffintown Records that showcases her versatility as a producer. We caught up with Elicia to talk about her whirlwind year, musical influences, digging for records and what lies ahead.
Plus, she’s just delivered a brand-new Lovecast Mix, giving us another taste of the sounds and energy behind her sets.
How has your year been so far?
This year has been insane. When I reflect on all the opportunities I’ve had and the places I’ve played this year it feels surreal… MixMag, PIV, multiple gigs abroad for OFF Sonar in Barcelona for Moxy and Kaluki, 528 Ibiza plus so many more. They weren’t joking when they said it’s the year of the fire house – 2026 has been straight out of the starting blocks for me from the start. I’m forever grateful for it all and I can’t wait to see what’s to come for the future.
Keep them guessing is your debut release on Griffintown records. How did the track come together and what was the inspiration behind it?
I didn’t really go in with a plan for this track, they never turn out how you expect them to anyway. Once the groove was in place I looked for a heavier bassline for drops and a delicate vocal for some juxtaposition. It’s a completely different flavour in comparison to my first release “I Surrender” on Moxy Muzik but that’s testament to my taste, it’s so broad, I think it’ll be difficult for me to develop one sound as there are too many varying influences in my taste.
The title suggests an element of mystery and unpredictability. What does the title mean to you?
I guess I chose the title “Keep Them Guessing” because the tracks intro leads you into thinking it’s going to be a lot softer and more chilled, then you’re smacked with a heavy bassline. It turns into a bit of a wobbler towards the end too – proper bass face moment. I was also aware that my first release was leaning towards the influences of soulful house, with this being so different, I thought it was true to the impression I’d be giving anyone following my production journey… keeping them guessing.
Your sets draw on a wide range of sounds, from Chicago house and disco to UKG, Italo and minimal. How do you blend these together and sound like you?
I never meticulously plan my sets, I feel like its a wasted exercise, you need to read the room and gain the trust of a room full of people who may have never seen or heard of your before. One thing I would say is understanding each track and the energy it evokes from a listener is so important when you’re being versatile in genre, especially for a shorter set.
Do you tend to build your sets around a particular mood or energy, or do you prefer to let the crowd and atmosphere guide you?
I’ve been sold my sets are high energy. If I can’t imagine people bouncing to it, I tend not to play it. I do like to test the crowd with a few more riskier tracks, it’s always interesting to see how they react. If you’ve gained their trust with your track selection before it, it often pays off. I love to engage with the crowd too, everyone shows so much love while I’m on the decks and afterwards, it’s part of the magic of the job. They see you enjoying it and it gives them a kick to dance harder and let loose.
Have any of your dj experiences particularly stayed with you and shape your sound in the studio?
DJ experiences that have stayed with me could be my 6.5 hour sets in an intimate hifi bar in Liverpool, it’s so rewarding to build it from an empty room starting on soulful house, taking it right through the gears, to keeping a full room at the very end on something rowdy like garage or progressive house. It’s a real pat on the back moment to watch everyone from behind the decks, packed like sardines, sweating, having it off. In terms of my sound, I’ve gone out of my way to go to some of the best parties in the world to try and find new flavours. Trips to Berlin and lesser known festivals in the UK being a couple of them spots. Also not just going to gigs with big names on the lineup, go to the underground venues and see what their DJ has to offer.
How much time do you spend digging for new music? Is it all new or some of it old?
I go through spells of digging. I’m all or nothing with a lot of things in life so I’ll find I’ll skim through Spotify consistently, or I’ll check new releases by my favourite labels or artist, but if I’m doing a proper dig it’s a whole day thing. I get locked in and come away with bloodshot eyes from my screen after hours on Youtube, Traxscourse and Bandcamp. I do have an older head on my shoulders when it comes to my taste. I’d also say finding a record shop that works for you is a big one too… my favourite being Phonica in London, if I go in, I’m not coming out for a good few hours.
What have you got coming up next?
Kaluki is going to be celebrating their 20th birthday at Warehouse Project in Manchester on 27th December which I cannot wait for. It’s a stacked lineup with a serious B4B to headline, Jamie Jones B2B Joe Capriati B2B Luke Dean B2B Max Dean. They’ve actually just announced a second date for the event for the following date after such a quick sell out. It was a pinch-me moment when I got the call-up.
What advice would you give to young up and coming producers?
Try and broaden your taste in music, not just by genre but by time. I’ve gone digging into early 2000’s tech house and found it’s me to a T, whereas some of the newer tech house of today I don’t resonate with. Lean on older family and friends who will remember tracks from their partying days that you didn’t get to experience. My uncle showed me the tracks he’d listened to as a teen in Cream and Space Ibiza and they’re some of my favourite tunes that have been pivotal in curating playlists for my sets.
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