Lee Ann Roberts

Music That Stays With You

The music we discover when we’re young often stays with us. For Lee Ann Roberts, her early experience with South Africa’s psytrance scene continues to shape her music today. Lee Ann Roberts has transformed those early influences into a sound that reflects her growth as an artist.

Growing up around the South African psytrance scene taught Roberts an important lesson. The DJ did not always need to become the centre of attention. Instead, the music, dancefloor and shared experience came first.
“It taught me that the music should always come first and that creating a shared experience is far more important than being the centre of attention.”

Learning Behind the Decks

Roberts began with Pioneer CDJ-800 MK2s and a Numark DM950 mixer. At that time, DJs had fewer technological tools available.

She had to develop essential skills through practice. Beatmatching, phrasing, timing and track selection needed to become instinctive.
Those foundations continue to influence how she approaches her performances today.

Finding Her Own Sound

Roberts initially established herself through deeper, minimal electronic music. Over time, her sound moved towards a harder direction.

She describes this shift as a natural evolution, rather than a deliberate change. In many ways, it represents a return to her psytrance roots.

Today, Roberts describes her sound as “psy-techno with a mainstage edge.” Her music combines psytrance’s hypnotic drive with techno’s power and groove.

She also maintains an emotional and melodic core within that sound.

Staying True to the Music

Changing direction also meant accepting that not everyone would follow.

“The music I’m making today feels like the most honest representation of who I am.”

Her advice to DJs considering their own musical change remains simple:

• Don’t follow trends.
• Follow what genuinely excites you creatively.
• Commit to your direction.

Preparation Creates Freedom

Roberts’ sets can move quickly, sometimes incorporating around 30 tracks in an hour. However, playing more tracks is not the main objective.

She focuses on maintaining momentum and keeping the musical journey dynamic.

Preparation plays an important role in that process. Roberts spends time inside rekordbox, setting Hot Cues and learning each track’s structure.

She does not always view a track as something that must play from beginning to end. Instead, she sees tracks as collections of moments.

A groove, build-up or drop can become a storytelling tool. She can then use each moment when the dancefloor needs it.

This preparation allows her performances to remain active, flexible and responsive.

Reading the Dancefloor

Can constant intensity keep a crowd engaged? Roberts believes it cannot.

She understands the importance of contrast, tension and release. She watches how people move and responds to how they react to different sounds.

She also monitors whether the energy continues building or starts to level out.

Sometimes the crowd needs greater intensity. At other moments, it needs space before Roberts takes the energy higher again.

“You’re having a conversation with thousands of people without saying a word.”

That approach means Roberts rarely locks herself into a completely predetermined set.

Even her opening track may only become clear once she reaches the booth and understands the room.

Staying Clear Behind the Decks

Roberts has also chosen not to drink while performing.

She believes DJing sober has helped her remain more present and connected to the dancefloor. It has also improved her mixing, timing and decision-making.

Her performance requires constant reactions and quick decisions. Staying clear allows her to think several moves ahead, making that clarity an important part of her craft.

Still Evolving

Despite her international career, Roberts believes there is always another level to reach. She wants to continue developing her sound while growing NowNow beyond a record label into a platform and community that can support other artists.

At the heart of her journey remains the same curiosity that first drew her towards music. Her sound has evolved considerably, but returning to the energy of the music she loved when she was young may have brought Roberts to her most authentic musical identity yet.