Brazilian-born DJ and producer ANNA has carved a reputation for herself as one of the most interesting players within the global electronic scene. Known as a versatile artist, ANNA can be found dominating a mammoth techno set as well as losing herself within the ambient world of sound healing. ANNA’s playing style can always be described as unpredictable, whether she’ll be rocking a set at Coachella or a hand-picked vinyl edit set at ADE.
Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with ANNA and explore more of her artistic developments. In this interview, she shares her experiences at her recent homecoming at the Tomorrowland event in Brazil and discusses her balance between life on the road and wellness. In addition, she shares some information about her artistic philosophy of producing from the heart and some developments for the coming year.
Born in Brazil, how does this impact your origins? How did it feel to play Tomorrowland Brazil recently?
Brazil has a very strong, alive energy, the land, the nature, the people, the rhythm, the groove, and the incredible diversity of music. I carry all of this with me, both consciously and unconsciously, when I create music and when I perform on stages around the world. It’s a richness that lives inside me.
To have a place in the lineups of Tomorrowland and other major festivals is truly a blessing that I never take for granted. Playing Tomorrowland Brazil was especially emotional, the 2023 one where I played all of the 3 days was a total full circle in my career and it always feels powerful to come back home and receive so much love from the land and the people where my journey began.
That set was with fellow Brazilian Vintage Culture? You’ve done a number of B2B sets over the years, how do you approach these?
Yes, we played our first B2B together at Tomorrowland Brazil on the CORE stage in 2023. I truly love B2B sets, especially when there is no planning in advance and everything is 100% improvised. That’s when the real magic happens, when you can fully feel the energy being created between the artists and the moment where two become one on stage. Having a long career has given me the confidence and freedom to play with DJs across different spectrums, from house to faster techno. I love the challenge, the exchange, and the way these moments push you out of your comfort zone while creating something completely unique and alive.
Techno can feel simple and not too complex at times, how do you strive to ensure it feels special and like an ANNA track?
When I go into the studio, I don’t create from the mind. I feel that trying too hard to maintain a style or stick to a fixed idea can actually block something greater from coming through. Instead, I work from the heart, fully connected to my emotions, and I allow whatever wants to be expressed in that moment to unfold naturally. That’s why, if you look at my Spotify, you won’t find only techno. You’ll find everything from techno and ambient music to sound-healing pieces, as well as remixes for artists like Lana Del Rey and Ólafur Arnalds. I deeply value this freedom of expression. I hope that people who connect with my work can appreciate all the different sides of ANNA, without expecting the same thing every time, because we are constantly evolving, and so is the music.
How do you feel about the current state of Techno music? With the rise of melodic techno as of late, it seems it would be in a strong position. Do you agree?
I feel that electronic music is in constant movement, it’s cyclical. Sometimes it becomes faster, sometimes slower; sometimes harder, sometimes more uplifting. I try not to focus too much on genres, because I find them quite limiting, especially when we try to put music into boxes and give rigid names to it. For example, I’ve been producing techno for over 12 years, and melody has always been part of my sound, long before terms like “melodic techno” became common. Techno has always been a strong force within electronic music. Often, when certain artists or sounds rise into the spotlight, we feel the need to label and categorize them. Overall, I believe techno, and dance music in general, is in a very healthy moment. There are so many new artists, new approaches to making music, and new forms of expression. And with the mystery of Al entering the picture, it’s an exciting time to imagine what the future of music might become.
You create ambient music for healing, yet you perform in the world’s most intense techno environments. How do you navigate that contrast?
I am that contrast. I carry stillness, but I also carry chaos and intensity, the entire spectrum lives within me. I believe it’s important to learn how to navigate all frequencies with ease. When we are truly integrated within ourselves, we can naturally move between states of stillness, introspection, power, and high energy without conflict. It took me many years, and a lot of inner work, to arrive at this sense of wholeness. Today, that allows me to move between these different worlds, from healing and quiet to the most intense dancefloor environments, and feel at home in all of them.
You play on the world’s biggest stages, from Tomorrowland to Coachella. How does your preparation for a massive festival set differ from when you are crafting a journey for a more intimate club environment?
Most of my preparation happens every day. It’s in the constant research for new music, and especially in the daily work I do in the studio creating my own. I don’t see it as preparing for a specific show, it’s an ongoing commitment to my craft, explored in many different ways. Because of that, when I arrive at a festival or an intimate club, everything is already there. I can step on stage with confidence and respond to the energy of the space, the crowd, and the moment itself, rather than following a rigid plan. I like to leave room for improvisation and real-time creation. Of course, when it’s a live show involving instruments and a more band-like format, the preparation is different. But as a DJ, my true preparation is the daily work in the studio so that when the moment arrives, I can fully trust it and let it unfold naturally.
“electronic music is in constant movement, it’s cyclical. Sometimes it becomes faster, sometimes slower; sometimes harder, sometimes more uplifting.”
You played a vinyl set this ADE, how do you prepare for that? How does one collect all these different records in 2025?
I played only vinyl for many years at the beginning of my career, but at some point I moved to digital and naturally stopped buying records so intensely. That said, I still buy vinyl when I truly fall in love with a release. When I know I have a vinyl-only show coming up, I usually prepare by picking up a few new records closer to the date, so I can create a balance between classics I know deeply and some fresh material that excites me. Beyond that, there isn’t a huge difference in preparation, it’s more about staying connected to the music and letting the selection flow naturally in the moment.
Beyond shows, what is a city that you love to visit?
Alto Paraiso, in Brazil, my new passion!!!
What wellness tips do you have for artists who are travelling a lot?
First of all, if possible, I’d say avoid alcohol and drugs. Traveling constantly already puts a lot of stress on the body and mind, so anything that adds more strain can make things much harder over time. Meditation has been essential for me, it helps me stay centered, and even on nights when I can’t sleep properly, meditation can offer real restoration. I also try to stay consistent with exercise and maintain a good, nourishing diet whenever I can. Touring, hotels, and jet lag can be tough on the system, so if we consciously compensate by taking good care of ourselves, touring can remain joyful, sustainable, and something we can do with longevity, without taking a heavy toll on the body or the mind.
What is happening with ANNA to finish off 2025 and go into 2026?
I’m currently in Brazil for a marathon of shows around New Year’s Eve, while also spending time in the studio working on new music. Looking ahead to 2026, there are some very exciting releases on the way, and I’ll also be opening my own label and creative portal. More on all of this very soon.
