Anaïs Interview: "I always love repping my home town"

If you're a local to the Bristolian bass scene, or just a purveyor of all rave sounds hard and heavy, then you're likely to know the name Anaïs. Blasting her way through the local scene to one of its most sought-after spinners, she is now a DJ and Producer on a path to the genre's very top.

Anaïs is on the way up both figuratively and literally too. Last month, she got the chance to do a DnB set from a hot air balloon. Yep, you read that right. Anaïs and a lucky few select ravers all went up into the Bristol skies courtesy of Hospital Records and Riot Noise, banged out some bass, and had a (very careful) skank in the skies, all to promote Hospitality in the Harbour festival, which happened this weekend just gone. 

With an experience like that, a return from touring the world, and a string of wicked new colourful bassy tracks out, we decided it was about time we caught up with Anaïs to chat all about it. Check out what she had to say below. 

Hi Anaïs, you recently had the awesome opportunity of doing a Drum and Bass set from a hot air balloon around Bristol, the full stream came out the other week too, how was it and how did it come about? 

"Hi! It was amazing, very floaty and peaceful, except for the DnB of course.

"It came about as Hospitality wanted to promote their Bristol Harbour show and they asked me last minute to jump on and play; it was a no-brainer for me."

Image: Hospitality DnB 

How do you prepare for a set in a balloon? 

"It was very last-minute, whacking tunes in a folder that roughly went together; it worked, though."

How careful was everyone in the skank? I think I’d be moving a bit carefully if I was up there and not properly letting loose haha 

"EVERYONE was very very careful because it would rock the basket if you moved too much and that was a very weird sensation everyone was soooooo careful!

"If you moved too much the basket would wiggle and no one liked that feeling! Although George the videographer was practically leaning out of the basket only being supported by one leg which I found very scary!"  

Did you have any fun interactions with people on the ground, as I saw a few TikToks about it on the day, or were you too high up and locked in to notice? 

"Yes!

"We could see people waving and dancing in their gardens and in Bristol town which was very funny.

"When we floated past the suburbs of Bristol a granny came out of her house and looked very angry at the noise and shut her door again haha!"

As you say, the set was to promote Hospitality on the Harbour, how was the festival? It's basically in your backyard so that must always be great.

"I thought it was amazing! I always love repping my home town and feel most comfortable playing there." 

Image: Anaïs on Facebook

You seem to have forged a really solid professional relationship with Hospital Records for the past few years, playing loads of their shows including their stage at Boomtown this year, you released an EP on their imprint back in 2022, how did you first get hooked with them and what it is like working with them so frequently? 

"Hospital have been fabulous, they’ve given me so much and I’m very grateful.

"I got hooked with them by applying for their woman’s mentorship 3 years ago now, I then proceeded to smash it and release an EP called 'Tek It Easy' and then they asked me to be a signed artist!"

We’re over halfway through the year now, and we’ve seen a string of singles from you in 'Real Hot', 'Never Seen Never Heard', and 'Hey Hey Hey', what can you tell us about this fresh batch of singles from you, are they part of a project, and what has the driving force behind them been? 

"The string of singles have been a series of vocal tunes that I fully identify with. They have great catchy lyrics and crazy basses and I’m fully proud of the releases from this year.

"There might also be another one coming in September..."

Image: Anaïs on Facebook

Outside of the actual musical content of these releases, one thing I’ve been loving is your aesthetic and promo with them, it’s so colourful and loud, whether it's that sick green car you were posing with or that wicked teal and pink jumper, what has the thinking been behind all that? 

"At the start of this year, I had a revelation that I had to implement some branding into my project, so this year has been all about making colours pop and my music stand out.

"I’d say I’m a pretty colourful and expressive person so I feel like this works well! Also yes that green car was crazy, we weren’t even allowed to lean on it, it was that special!"

You’ve just got back from touring the world too. New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, Korea, India, Croatia. That must have been some few months. Have there been any stand-out moments, or has it all just been unreal? 

"Yesss! It was so crazy.

"I enjoyed all of it, but India and South Korea were both very special. And also Christchurch in New Zealand was the most people I think I’ve ever played in front of.

"The people were so kind and cool in both South Korea and India and I’d love to go back one day."

Image: Hospitality DnB on Facebook

To round things off, What does the rest of the year hold for Anaïs? 

"One more single in September, another one potentially in October with some amazing producers called Hayve (big up Hayve), and in December time we’ll be releasing the Boomtown Opening ceremony track that me and my girlfriend (Oppidan) have helped to make this year (big achievement!)"

Anaïs will be appearing at Hospitality in the Woods, Sundown Festival, DnB Allstars Festival 2024, and RUN Autumn 2024, find tickets to each, and more events from Anaïs on sale on Skiddle by clicking or tapping - HERE

Find more Drum & Bass events - HERE

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image credit: @moonimmishmedia