Meet Jon Evans | Music Producer / Sound Enineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jon Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jon, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
At the start of my career, work-life balance wasn’t even on my radar. I believed that success required long hours, so I regularly worked 16-hour days, often sleeping at the studio. Exhaustion led to mistakes—bad takes, poor decisions, and having to redo recordings because I wasn’t hearing things clearly. But it wasn’t just sleep I was sacrificing—I was neglecting my health, my family, and my friends.

Thankfully, my wife was incredibly supportive. She would stay with me at the studio, sometimes even sleeping on the couch while I worked. When we had our first daughter, I had the opportunity to go independent and work remotely. But old habits die hard, and I found myself still burning the candle at both ends.

I knew I couldn’t keep going at that pace. So, I started looking at how other successful people in my industry managed their time. What I learned changed everything. The key wasn’t working more—it was working smarter. I needed to maximize focus, work efficiently, and set boundaries so I could be present in all areas of my life.

Here are three strategies that have helped me maintain balance:

1, Plan the night before – Before going to bed, I write down the top 3-6 tasks I need to complete the next day, ranked by priority. This helps me start each day with a clear focus.

2. Use time blocks for deep work – I set a timer for 50-minute work sprints, keeping distractions out of the room and letting my family know I’m in focus mode. When the timer runs out, I take a 20-minute break to check in with my family, respond to messages, or even watch an episode of a show.

3. Prioritize sleep – I used to think I could catch up on rest later, but I’ve learned that consistent sleep is key to performance. Now, I aim for 8-9 hours each night. As my dad always says, “Stop and sharpen the ax.” When I’m well-rested, I make better decisions, handle challenges more effectively, and show up fully for both my work and my family.

By making these changes, I’ve been able to work efficiently, stay creative, and, most importantly, be present for the people who matter most.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been a professional sound engineer and music producer for over 22 years, working in both commercial and home studios with signed and independent artists alike. Along the way, I’ve also had the opportunity to perform, tour, and release music with my band, Launch Point. One of my proudest achievements was making the Grammy Ballot in two categories as both a songwriter and performer.

These days, my focus is on developing artists and helping musicians learn how to write, record, and release their own music on their terms. Whether it’s in the studio, over Zoom calls, or through my book Think Analog, Work Digital, my goal is to empower artists with the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their music careers.

What sets me apart is my diverse experience—working across multiple genres, in a variety of studio environments, and with budgets ranging from unlimited to shoestring. I’ve recorded in some of the biggest studios in the world, working with analog tape machines and high-end gear, yet I’ve also produced music in basements that sounds like it came from a million-dollar session. With the right knowledge, creativity, and courage, you can create incredible music anywhere.

My journey started as a musician playing in bands and performing live. When I first stepped into a small home studio, I realized that if I learned how to record myself, I wouldn’t have to rely on a record label to make music. That realization led me to attend recording school, where I spent every spare moment in the studio, absorbing knowledge from seasoned engineers and experimenting with techniques. After graduating, I moved to Las Vegas and became the Head Engineer at a new studio. From there, I worked in studios across LA, Austin, Orlando, and Denver, constantly learning and refining my craft. I’ve had various companies and studios like “Goat Hill Studios”, “Birds Eye Media”, “Evs Recording”, but now just go by Jon Evans.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success leaves blueprints—and those who have made it are often willing to share their knowledge. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reached out to elite-level mixers I admire and received detailed insights into how they achieve their sound. Too many people hesitate to ask for advice, fearing rejection. But I’ve always believed that if you’re already starting with a no, you might as well ask and see if you get a yes.

Ultimately, I want to be remembered as someone who took big risks, stayed ambitious, and always found ways to help others succeed.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends and family come out to Fort Collins, it’s hard not to take them to Old Town or up to Estes Park. Growing up in Omaha, Estes Park was our family destination, and it’s a big reason I always knew I’d end up in Northern Colorado. The mix of outdoor adventure, music, and a strong creative community here is the perfect environment for what I do at my studio and with Launch Point.

Fort Collins has been the perfect place to grow this vision, with a thriving arts scene and a community that values both creativity and collaboration. At the end of the day, whether I’m in the studio, playing live, or catching a CSU game or an Eagles hockey match, I’m always inspired by the energy and passion of this place. That’s what drives me, and it’s what I want to share with the world.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my wife Katie who always encourages me to go after my dreams. To my kids Maddie, Lyndon, and Lily who still think I’m pretty cool and fun. And to my parents who got me my first guitar and never told me to turn it down.

Website: https://jon-evans-mix.my.canva.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evsrecording

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-evans-lp/

Twitter: https://x.com/LaunchPointBand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/launchpointband/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaunchPointBand

Image Credits
Images provided by Jon Evans