Forest Claudette (CANCELLED)

Forest Claudette powers through life’s growing pains with diaristic songwriting, using their thoughtful take on alternative R&B to find oases in a troubling world. Claudette explores gender identity and sexuality, the joy and sacrifice of coming out, and life’s complexities—the asteroids and stones we encounter en route to our own outer space oasis. Music has long been a tool for self-discovery in Forest's life. They grew up in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia, where they spent years trying to perfect their craft at high school. When triple j held an annual music contest for high school students, they submitted a song, which earned them an impromptu interview and a spin on the station. Soon after, Claudette landed a record deal. Their first single, 2022’s “Creaming Soda,” was spawned from the imposter syndrome they felt from entering the music industry so young. Themes of self-doubt and loss further molded their debut EP The Year of February. 2023’s Everything Was Green earned Claudette two ARIA awards, including Best Soul/R&B Release for their self-described “ethical fuckboy’s anthem,” “Mess Around” with EARTHGANG. As Claudette readies new music, they reflect on the progress they’ve made to get here. “Now, at the core, I want to be honest to my experiences and how I see the world,” they say. “I just know that I can, so I think I should.”