Krista Bourgeois Exclusive Interview

Krista Bourgeois Interview Exclusive for KEYI Magazine

Krista Bourgeois is an American industrial techno artist now residing in Berlin. Her sound combines "corrosive grit" with "abrasiveness and unapologetic intensity," drawing from modular synthesis, experimental noise, and breakcore elements. She has performed at venues including Tenth Aesthetic, Singularity, and Technoids on the U.S. West Coast, as well as international locations like MASS in London and Kit Kat Club in Berlin.

Artist Journey and Entry into Music

Bourgeois began her musical career approximately four years ago while in college. Though she attended raves from age sixteen, she initially pursued computer science as a practical degree choice. A turning point came when her university launched an electronic music production program, which she joined. She progressed from production to DJing, and now focuses primarily on live modular performance, which she finds more fulfilling than traditional DJing.

The Move to Berlin

The artist relocated from Portland, Oregon, where she describes the techno scene as small and lacking interest in harder styles. After establishing a residency with Seattle's Tenth Aesthetic collective, she realized that pursuing music as a sustainable career required moving to Europe. Berlin's legendary techno reputation made it a logical choice. Though she had never visited Europe before moving, she found the city aligned with her values: "liberal, artsy, weird, and vibrant."

Life Balance in Berlin

Bourgeois became sober several months after relocating, finding the party scene initially overwhelming. She emphasizes that success in Berlin requires maintaining equilibrium through regular schedules, gym attendance, healthy eating, and mental health care. This balance has increased both her productivity and musical progress compared to her previous party-focused lifestyle.

Musical Influences and Style Evolution

Initially producing house music, Bourgeois transitioned to techno after attending LA parties. Her style evolved gradually through discovering industrial and harder techno artists. Key influences include Paula Temple, Ansome, Perc, and Scalameriya. Though now settled in industrial hardcore techno, she continues experimenting with drum and bass, breakcore, and old-school dubstep elements.

Production Philosophy

Bourgeois typically begins projects by designing kicks in Ableton over several days, then building surrounding components. She describes her workflow as "chaotic," accumulating hours of modular recordings that she arranges like puzzle pieces over weeks. As a deliberate producer, she believes creating genuinely new material requires significant time investment and often reworks tracks extensively until satisfied.

Creation Through Destruction EP

Her upcoming three-track digital EP on PRSPCT Recordings was created following her father's unexpected death. She wrote the material while in a dark mental state, using it as a means to process grief and move forward. The project represents significant personal importance, allowing her to fully express her authentic artistic identity.

Destruction as Creative Tool

Regarding her use of distortion and noise, Bourgeois explains: "deliberately pushing a sound beyond recognition can lead to intriguing and unexplored sonic territories." She characterizes her work as "organized chaos," balancing destruction with structured elements. Her music serves as cathartic expression and coping mechanism for trauma and mental health struggles she has experienced.

Gender Challenges in Electronic Music

The artist notes that women in electronic music face pressure to prove competence beyond what male counterparts experience. She references instances where people questioned whether her male partner was her "ghost producer," a dynamic that would not occur in reverse situations within the scene.

Musical Style and Artistic Inspiration

Bourgeois's aesthetic spans dark, dystopian, and raw soundscapes. Beyond music, she draws inspiration from surrealism, dystopian art, and artists including Salvador Dalí, Zdzisław Beksiński, and Hieronymus Bosch. She admires Gothic and Brutalist architecture and has "a deep love for abandoned spaces overrun by nature."

PRSPCT Recordings Release

Bourgeois has long admired PRSPCT, whose roster features many of her musical inspirations. She connected with label representative Gareth (Thrasher) at Amsterdam Dance Event in 2022 and shared her music in early 2023. She describes being on the label as "quite surreal," given its significance in her musical journey. The 2024 vinyl pressing marks her first wax release.

Future Projects and Philosophy

Looking ahead, Bourgeois continues developing collaborative relationships rather than pursuing the industry trend of collecting multiple label releases. She emphasizes the value of "ongoing collaboration to grow and develop with a label." Additional 2023 releases include a track on Rebekah's Elements label, representing music that genuinely reflects her desired sonic direction.

Five Most Influential Electronic Music Tracks

Tipper – Trenched: Bourgeois credits this psychedelic bass track as demonstrating Tipper's pinnacle status in sound design. She has listened to it countless times.

Silkie vs Truth – Feel: She considers this one of the most beautifully produced garage and dubstep compositions, praising Deep Medi's entire catalog.

DJ Madd – New Reality: This oldschool dubstep exemplifies her preference for early material in the genre, featuring "deep, deep bass, and well thought out minimalist sound design."

Ansome – Pedal to the Metal: This album track demonstrates modular sound design that inspires her immensely, with intricate tension between sounds and broken kicks.

Ghost in the Machine – Breaking the Seal: She describes this hard industrial techno work as possessing a "haunting mood" coupled with crisp production representing masterclass execution.