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Evan Kotton: For the Love of Funky Flow
- Andrew Munnik
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
Known for his meticulously crafted sets and performances that ooze soul and groove, Evan Kotton is a Cape Town-based artist with a contagious drive to spread happiness through sound. His signature style is rooted in the funky, blending fat bass lines with a distinctive edge that gets bodies moving. This musical dedication has made Kotton an unmistakable presence in the local scene, inviting everyone to share in his profound sense of musical release.
Evan Kotton: A Young Groove
Music is fundamental to Evan Kotton’s identity. The seed was planted early, with an electronic album by the group Yello captivating him as a young boy, exposing him to the fundamental ideas of techno and electronic music. This appreciation evolved into hands-on exploration pretty early.
By age 12, he was already experimenting with blending tracks, and soon progressed to using Virtual DJ and his keyboard to create mixes he’d share with friends.
Kotton chased the feeling the music gave him—a feeling he later distilled into his guiding principle: “Happiness is the best emotion people can experience, and funk brings out the happiness.”
How Evan Kotton Found His Tribe
Evan's journey into the scene led him through the club circuit, eventually finding a dedicated home with the Teknotribe community. After years of attending events, he was taken under the wing of seasoned veterans, solidifying a residency that has endured for a decade. And Teknotribe is still his "tribe," a place of genuine connection and growth.
Kotton views his craft as a sophisticated form of energy management. In his role as a DJ, he focuses on precise control over the BPM, understanding that the tempo dictates the mood and intensity of the floor.
His goal is to guide the audience to that moment of total release—where they connect with the music and let go of everything else.
This collaborative spirit extends to his work with others, a philosophy he sums up with: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Whether it's production mentorship with Mark Valsecci or seamless back-to-back sets with his friends, Kotton thrives on shared creativity, noting the effortless "flow state" achieved when collaborating with a trusted partner.
The Authenticity of Expression
Evan’s music is a vehicle for his own emotions, a truth he learned by producing with raw authenticity. His early tracks, made with collaborators, found immediate success, hitting top spots on melodic charts.
This achievement helped him release the pressure of external validation, allowing him to focus on music that is important to him—whether that translates as sexy grooves or even an "angry vibe."
One of his proudest moments came recently during an early afternoon set at a major event. Despite an awkward time slot and preceding a psytrance artist, his blend of vibes was powerfully received. It was a realisation that he doesn't adhere to a specific genre; rather, he simply plays what complements the atmosphere, finding his "happy place" on the lineup by staying true to his diverse sound.
The Resilience of a True Artist
For Evan, the decks represent his ultimate flow state, a great release where he doesn't have time to overthink—he just does. This connection to music proved vital following a serious mental health crisis in late 2022, stemming from being consumed by the "party vibe." After a necessary period of recovery, the first direction he received was to stop DJing, and in the face of this harrowing medical advice, he did the only thing he could think to do: He came back to the booth.
Evan realised that if he couldn't play sober, the altered state meant more than the music. Today, he performs completely sober, connecting with the crowd and the music far more intensely than before.
It might be nice to have a beer in the hand or a little something-something on the tongue, but for Evan Kotton, the choice is clear: it's the music, always.
Build the Catalogue, Grow the Scene
Looking ahead, Kotton’s dream is measured and intentional. He aspires to build a substantial catalogue that will naturally lead to quality international bookings, all while prioritising the balance of party and personal life.
Most importantly, Kotton stands as a proponent for collective growth within the industry.
He firmly believes that for the scene to truly flourish, artists must actively support one another—a simple like, comment, or share is a necessary act of promotion.
Keep an eye out for Evan Kotton. His music is an infectious journey to the heart of the beat, and his commitment to authentic, soulful sound is leading the charge in Cape Town's fantastic scene. Check out our recordings to get a taste of his sound, and check out his socials to see his next set in person.