Inner Forest needed a place to escape with his girlfriend Hailey that was both tropical and affordable, somewhere he could focus on music production. Koh Phangan has been the perfect refuge for him and has produced several songs and two music videos since being here. The island has grown on him a lot over the past five months and he has some long term dreams here now as well.
Forest came to see us at Phanganist to tell us about the exciting diverse flavours he is bringing to the Koh Phangan Party scene.
Hey Forest, firstly why did you choose Inner Forest as your DJ name?
I have been going by my middle name Forest since 2004. When I started DJing people wanted to call me Funky Forest or Forest Of Funk and I tried various different DJ names like Dreamyst and Emuin but people insisted on calling me Forest so after years of contemplating my name I settled on Inner Forest. I have always been a dreamer and my music is more of a journey so Inner Forest just fits.
What kind of music do you play?
Glitchop, Trap, Dubstep, Uptempo and Downtempo with Gypsy flavors. I like to throw in some Drum And Bass and House these days. I’ll play a fast song then a slow song, then bring the tempo back up again.
What kind of music artist are you influenced and inspired by?
Tipper, Beats Antique, David Starfire, Bassnectar, Nicoluminous, a whole bunch of California DJ’s. I’ve been to Burning Man many times and the creative energy there is my biggest inspiration. Also I grew up around belly dancers and love middle eastern music.
Did you start your Djing with Bass Music or did you upgrade to that style with time?
I played keyboards and bass in a band called the Laboratory with a vinyl DJ and a guitar player. Eventually we all got Macs and I would DJ when we ran out of songs to play. Right away people started calling me a DJ and asking for more DJ sets. I would play anything I felt back then from Pfunk to Bassnectar. My style is way more refined now but I always played a good amount of Bass Music.
Where on Koh Phangan have you played and how was it?
Mostly I’m focused on producing music in my comfy recording studio and working on a bigger internet presence. At first I didn’t really click well with the party scene here but now I am loving playing One Love Bar and 12 Runaway Monkeys Parties on Koh Phangan. Bangkok’s party scene was kind of a waste of time for me and I haven’t partied on Koh Samui but that scene looks promising.
What do you think about Koh Phangan music and party scene in general?
There are a lot of cool parties here. I love how international and sexy it is out here. Playing sets for sexy international crowds has got me hooked. I want more and more of that!
What do you think about Koh Phangan’s and the South East Asia (Thailand) Bass Music scene?
There are really hip little nooks and clicks out there that are a little hidden. The Bass Music scene is progressing quickly. I am particularly inspired by Thailand’s Wonderfruit festival. I want a DJ set in that line up next year.
What do you feel you brought to the Phangan scene?
I’ve been hearing about this scene for many years and it was just a matter of time. The combination of tropical, affordable, and a cool dance scene is hard to find even coming from Hawaii.
How do you spend your free time on the island?
I’m either in my recording studio, taking a Dancehall class from Roxy, taking a Hot Buddhi Yoga class from Hailey Sanura, DJing or filming a music video. My life is that simple and I love it.
What projects are you currently involved with / What are your next projects?
I just released a Glitchop/Trap song today called Wiggle Zone and am filming a sexy/sassy music video for it. Also I just signed onto a music label called Lotus Mathematics and am finishing one of my greatest tracks to be released on all the big music distribution sites.
How did you get to where you are today?
I spent nearly all my spare time in the last seven years making music, performing or promoting my art.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Touring the world with my music, making friends and connecting people together for higher purpose. Also I see my performance being a lot more multimedia and a crew of performers on stage with me
What is your life philosophy?
Love. I know it’s cheesy but love is what I believe in. I also see all being as inherently good and not inherently bad. Love is what we are. Evil is learned so in exploring our inner forest we discover our inherent goodness.
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