Kelly Reverb Reverberates Career Following Comeback Singles [Interview]
The electronic music scene is buzzing with excitement as veteran DJ and producer Kelly Reverb joins forces with Chad LeMans for a dynamic two-track release. The EP features a captivating cover of Madonna’s hit “La Isla Bonita,” reimagined as “Madonna On Acid,” along with the Latin-influenced track “Coming Back.”
Kelly Reverb, a seasoned aficionado of house, tech house, and melodic techno, found inspiration for this project during Miami Music Week, where he immersed himself in Latin/Afro-house music. Despite an expensive hotel stay, the vibrant sounds of artists like HUGEL, Bonitos, and Vampire Sex fueled his creativity. This inspiration was further solidified after attending a Madonna concert in Dallas, leading to the creation of “La Isla Bonita (Madonna On Acid).”
Paired with “Coming Back,” this EP promises to be a crowd-pleaser, perfect for energizing dancefloors and DJ sets worldwide. The collaboration between Kelly Reverb and Chad LeMans showcases a seamless blend of their talents, delivering a fresh and exciting sound to the electronic music community.
Kelly Reverb’s journey in the electronic music scene spans decades, with residencies at iconic venues like The Lizard Lounge in Dallas, Texas, and performances at renowned clubs such as Home Base, Tunnel NYC, and The Clevelander Miami. His music has even been featured in the film ‘Blade,’ and he continues to trend on Beatport charts. Sharing stages with legends like Carl Cox, Dada Life, and EDX, Kelly has cemented his status as a tastemaker in the industry.
In addition to his DJing and production career, Kelly Reverb launched his independent record label, Lone Star Records. As Founder, Owner, and CEO, he has released original tracks alongside Chad LeMans, including “Closer” and “Flashback,” and remastered classics like “Fine Ladies Only.”
Kelly’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Struggling with alcoholism, he nearly gave up on production until he met Chad LeMans, a skilled sound engineer battling his own addiction. After going through rehab in 2020, Kelly reconnected with Chad in 2021, discovering that he had been in jail. Together, they found new purpose in helping the recovery and mental health community, using their experiences to create meaningful music and content.
Their partnership led to the creation of the podcast “This Pink Cloud,” providing resources for individuals and families dealing with substance use disorders and mental health issues. Through personal stories and expert guests, they raise awareness and destigmatize these important topics.
Reflecting on their journey, Kelly Reverb says, “As we delved into our music and podcasting endeavors, our partnership flourished. We found solace in using our experiences with addiction to shed light on mental health and recovery. Our podcast became a successful 501 C3 organization, and we were not only making chart-topping beats but also making a positive impact in the community. It was a true testament to the power of second chances, the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive and talented individuals, and the transformative impact of overcoming addiction while giving back to those in need.”
Kelly Reverb and Chad LeMans’ new EP is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of music to bring people together. Keep an eye out for “La Isla Bonita (Madonna On Acid)” and “Coming Back” – they’re sure to become dance floor favorites.
The Nocturnal Times: How old were you when you first started DJing? Can you tell us about some of your first gigs?
Kelly Reverb: Started when I was 17, first big gig was the Hard Rock Cafe (Dallas)… was truly an experience mixing acid house and underground with classic rock… literally Rolling Stones into Lipps Inc, then Information Society, into Acid Thunder by Fast Eddie sounds weird, but it worked…
The Nocturnal Times: In what ways are the gigs different today than they were in your early days of DJing?
Kelly Reverb: People were dancing with each other, yeah they would look up if you “beefed” a mix. (that’s when I perfected the “DJ duck”)… Crowds now are facing the DJ like a rock concert, I’m thinking of doing some card tricks and street magic in between mixes…LOL.
The Nocturnal Times: We were taken aback by your compelling story – and love a good comeback! What can you share with us about your experiences with addition and coming out the other side?
Kelly Reverb: I never realized how much time and energy was wasted until I became sober, it was literally like a second job. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no teetotaler, but self awareness is a good trait (know your limits). Heck, let’s be honest, we make music for people to party!!
The Nocturnal Times: How does it feel to make a comeback now? In what ways is the industry different now than it has been over the years?
Kelly Reverb: I love it, people say the market is too flooded, I’m like bring it, more potential fans!!!
In the vinyl days, there was great branding and marketing for yourself by just releasing records, but it was all “snail mail” and somewhat regional. Now you blow up in Caracas, Barcelona, and Hong Kong simultaneously with the click of a mouse. Gotta love technology!
The Nocturnal Times: Does this change your approach to music making/releasing or building a DJ set at all? If so, how?
Kelly Reverb: Yes, no “splice” back then, you would have to dig for those samples, tracks could take weeks… now I can have one ready in 6 to 8 hours… amazing.
As far as DJing… as a “club DJ” you would play for 5 hours, and just wing it, and actually play to the crowd. Nowadays, you play a 1.5-hour set, get it all ready with cue points, and it’s like your playing “at” the crowd.
The Nocturnal Times: What are some key pieces of advice you can offer to other DJs and producers who might often get wrapped up in the scene or also struggle with addiction?
Kelly Reverb: First off, awareness is key… this shit sneaks up on you, be aware of that! (The don’t tell you that in all the beer/ alcohol commercials) Be able to be honest with yourself…Are you using for fun or are you using substance as a coping mechanism? Last, don’t be afraid to talk about it and/or reach out for help. (People do care, and the universe has got your back, if you let it.)
The Nocturnal Times: Tell us some more about your latest collaborative EP and how it came together.
Kelly Reverb: Went to Miami Music Week (spent way too much on a hotel), tons of afro-house vibes (Hugel, Vampire Sex, Bonitos, etc), then the night I came back home (Dallas) had tickets to go see Madonna… Bingo Bango there you have it
The Nocturnal Times: What do these two new EP tracks mean to you and why?
Kelly Reverb: Artistic freedom, I love being able write an afro-house EP, then follow it up with a hard tech house/progressive EP… I love the ability to competently express our music how ever we want. (If I like it, I know someone else will too)
The Nocturnal Times: How and when did you first meet Chad LeMans? What makes Chad such a good friend and collaborator?
Kelly Reverb: We knew each other in our active addictions, so we both know each others history. Chad brings the “Vangelis” side to our production, he is the goto computer wiz, and he supports our operation with his “OnlyFans” page, LOL!
The Nocturnal Times: What’s next for Kelly Reverb?
Kelly Reverb: Super Stoked! Inked a deal with Dim Mak/New Noise (Steve Aoki’s label) for a July 30th release “Speechless” (nu disco vibes), have an original EP coming out on Lone Star Records called “Dark Side and Government,” and also a Depeche Mode cover of “It’s No Good.” I also just signed with Nexus Artist Mgmt, gigs, TBD.
