From the FUTUREMAG archive. Originally published in FUTUREMAG #02 — The Spirit of Tulum (February 2023).
ANNA FOREST loves to fuse indie dance with psychedelic, driving, acid frequencies. Avant-garde and experimental, she synthesizes by submerging herself in this digital sea. Her obsession with music leads her to spend countless hours crafting the right combination of EBM and dark wave that will keep flowing and pulling the crowd under her spell all night long.
Where are you originally from?
ANNA FOREST is a French-Canadian artist and producer born in Montréal. She learned about underground electronic music by frequenting the legendary Stereo nightclub, mentored by Montréal's finest local acts.
How did you start your DJ career?
My best friend at the time got me my first gig in 2016, at Velvet Speakeasy in the historic Auberge Saint-Gabriel in Old Montréal. I was so nervous, but she pushed me to do it. I'm a perfectionist, so I would never have felt ready. It was a really big deal for me.
I made my connections in the music industry by traveling the world and attending label showcases. It all started after my first Burning Man in 2016, when I got booked for Elements Music & Arts, Output, Brooklyn Mirage and Secret Project Festival. My move to Mexico let me expand my experience and play in every corner of the country, in productions such as The Gardens of Babylon with Monolink, Set Underground with Bob Moses, and Horyzon Festival by Zamna with the legendary Dubfire.
What has it meant for you to play the best venues and festivals?
I'm grateful for every step of this journey and I value everyone who believed in me and gave me those opportunities. It's always a blessing to share the stage with such talent.
Which artists do you admire, and what genres do you play?
Most of my early influences come from 80s, 90s and early-2000s new wave, post-punk, alternative, goth rock and industrial bands like Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, New Order and She Wants Revenge. That's definitely where my love for indie dance comes from. I've also started incorporating some melodic house and techno into my recent sets. The producers who have influenced me most are Zombies in Miami, Damon Jee, Curses and WhoMadeWho. It was an honor to warm up for them.
Highlights
One of my biggest highlights was in 2017, when I became curator for Camp Playalchemist. The production was out of this world. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to perform on that stage and finally share my sound with the Burning Man community.
The last edition was a big accomplishment too. I shed a tear of joy when Distrikt told me I'd be playing with Yokoo and Lee Burridge on the day of the Robot Heart link-up. My early morning session in the lounge at The Kazbah was also one for the books.
What's next for ANNA FOREST?
While touring in Guadalajara for a show with Bedouin, produced by Casa Cobra, I reached out to my friend Mufti, who'd been sharing his productions with me for years. We planned a studio session: "I was experimenting with vocals while he was jamming on his guitar." Our collaboration is set for release in January 2023 on Moscoman's label Disco Halal.
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