East Forest creates music that feels like a physical space you can inhabit. It is a lush, breathing tapestry of sound where the crackle of a campfire or the rustle of leaves is just as important as a piano chord. The music doesn't demand your attention; instead, it invites you to settle into a slower frequency, blending the organic warmth of acoustic instruments with subtle electronic pulses.
What makes Trevor Oswalt's project truly distinctive is the 'shamanic' intent behind the compositions. Unlike generic ambient music, these tracks often follow the arc of a guided journey, sometimes incorporating spoken wisdom from figures like Ram Dass. The production uses field recordings not as gimmicks, but as rhythmic foundations, turning the sounds of the forest and the city into a hypnotic, grounding heartbeat.
Start with 'Held' if you want a pure, melodic entry point into his soundscapes. For those looking for a more immersive, functional experience, 'Music For Mushrooms' provides a multi-hour journey designed specifically for deep internal work and psychedelic exploration.
East Forest is an American ambient/electronic/contemporary classical/indie pop artist from Portland, Oregon, United States. The project was created by Trevor Oswalt who derived "East Forest" from the German translation of his last name (technically Ostwald: Ost=East, Wald=Forest). To date he has released eight full-length albums and six EPs. He has toured extensively throughout North America, as well as performances in Europe. He also performed at festivals such as SXSW, CMJ, Lightning in a Bottle, Arise, and Mysteryland. Music entertainment and pop culture website Altoriot.com referred to East Forest as the "sleeper-hit and best hidden gem" at the 2014 SXSW festival. "His emotive music experimentation of instruments is in a league of its own...".
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