Resident Profile : Evan Dawson

This month we chatted to Evan from Live Music Now as part of a series of interviews we will be running with our residents. Find out more about what it is like to work at Studio 31 and meet our creative community.

1. Can you give us a brief description of your background and what you do?

I run the national charity Live Music Now, which has 350 professional musicians around the UK, working in schools, hospitals and care homes. I also write music for tv and film projects, with a particular specialism in writing music that is performed by live musicians, rather than all being computer generated. My website is www.dawson-sabatini.co.uk I’m always interested in new commissions.

Evan Dawson

The Live Music Now Northern Island Class of 2017 - newest recruits to the scheme.

2. What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the wide variety of work I do, seeing the incredible difference that music can make to the lives of children and older people, and collaborating with some of the most talented musicians and producers in the UK.

3. What project are you currently working on?

I’ve been working on a project called ‘A Choir in Every Care Home’, which was a finalist in the national RSPH Awards last week. It’s about trying to inspire and support music making in all 20,000 of the UK’s care homes!

4. What’s been your best career highlight?

Several years ago, I wrote the theme music for BBC2’s ‘Only Connect’ quiz, which is performed by a string quartet. For the series that is now on air, we wrote an arrangement for a rather different group of musicians, who have long been heroes of mine (and my parents, too). I can’t reveal who they are, but watch the final of the series to find out!

5. What do you enjoy most about working at Studio 31?

I spend a lot of time at my desk and keyboard. I think many composers and arts managers find their work very isolating, but the buzz of being around so many other creative people, and being based near Park St and Brandon Hill, is really uplifting.

6. What’s your favourite thing to do in Bristol?

I enjoy live music (at St Georges, Colston Hall, and more) and also losing myself in the great outdoors, going to nearby places like Slimbridge and Failand.

7. What’s your tipple of choice?

I’m not an interesting alcoholic. I like real ale and red wine, and coconut flat whites during the day.

8. What music is on your default playlist?

I listen to a lot of contemporary jazz and classical music. I’m excited that Jacob Collier is coming to Bristol in a few weeks, I think he’s a really exciting musician.

9. What gadget can’t you live without (excluding a phone)?

I love my Leica binoculars for birdwatching trips, and my Korg SV1 vintage keyboard.

10. If you could pick any dinner guest, dead or alive, who would you pick and why?

I wish I could have met Yehudi Menuhin, when he was alive. His vision about the role of music in society is inspirational. I would also like to meet the philosopher / neurologist Sam Harris, who always seems to have his finger on the pulse of everything that matters, and makes me feel hope for the future.

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