“The Blues is a living breathing entity... it's life lived , the good the bad and the never ending gift of... feeling!”

Angel Forrest: A Beautiful Life

At a time when many artists slow down, Quebec's multi-award winning vocalist Angel Forrestcontinues to evolve creatively and professionally. New album “A Beautiful Life” (Coming September 8, 2026), represents artistic freedom, resilience, and a renewed commitment to connecting directly with fans. The album stands as both a celebration of the journey so far and a bold statement about what comes next. Known for her powerful voice, emotional authenticity, and electrifying live performances, Angel has established herself as one of Canada's most respected blues and roots artists. A JUNO Award nominee and multiple Maple Blues Award winner, she has spent her career connecting deeply with audiences through songs that speak to resilience, love, loss, hope, and redemption.                                                (Photo: Angel Forrest)

A Beautiful Life is Angel's first fully independent album release. The record captures the spirit of an artist who has weathered life's storms while emerging stronger, wiser, and more inspired than ever. These songs are rooted in real experiences and delivered with the honesty and soul that have become Angel's trademark. With unforgettable vocals, exceptional songwriting, and a lifetime of stories behind every note, Angel Forrest delivers an album that speaks to anyone who has loved deeply, lost something precious, and found the strength to keep moving forward.

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Archive: Angel Forrest, 2022 Interview

Special Thanks: Sarah French Publicity

A Beautiful Life is your first fully independent album. How did this total artistic freedom change your creative process?

This actually isn't my first independent album 'Come Alive'in 2010 was my first. This is my first since then, but nothing really changes whether I'm with a record company or not. I always have total artistic freedom. The only thing that changes is the stress about finances.

You’ve said that music helps heal pain. Which song on this record was the hardest to write, but ultimately the most rewarding?

Strangely enough, none of the songs on this album were difficult to write. I think I was just at a point feeling so frustrated and helpless with things that were going on around me with friends and the state of the world that I needed to express my pain and frustration so the words came to me very easily. They were building up for sometime. So writing them was an immense release hearing them recorded was satisfying beyond and now playing them live is like a gift of release and joy cleansing every time.

Instead of slowing down after 30 years, you keep evolving. What keeps your creative fire burning so brightly today?

I do believe I'm blessed to have such an amazing creative partner, partner in life best friend who has the same passion as I do. We drive each other equally having someone to share your life with who shares the same passions with you is definitely a gift, me having this vehicle to express my feelings has saved me  through all the trials and tribulations that life offers. The music keeps me keepin' on!

The album reflects on weathering life's storms. What was the most defining challenge that shaped you into the artist you are now?

I'm soon 60... been doing this since I was 21 years old. I think that with every passing year we grow ... hopefully. And in 39 years I've gone from eager know nothing keen and excited girl singing in bars to playing very emotional and special occasions for people up close and personal, to huge venues of thousands of people around the world. Many collaborations along the way.

Learning with every step... I've always had music to help me get through all of life's changes ...being a mother,  losing my mother, uprooting, divorce, kids leaving the nest, losing my home, losing my business and of course, the big M menopause!! 

“Do everything from the heart with heart! Always be open to learn, teach, give and receive the experiences. Most importantly be true to yourself believe what you're singing, mean what you say ... when it's real and true it touches... emotional connection is magic!” (Photo: Angel Forrest)

In an era of digital perfection, you stay true to an authentic, raw blues sound. How challenging—or liberating—is that today?

I'm electronically challenged... not a fan of non organic!  I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin , the Stones the Allman Brothers,Janis ,Hendrix, Joni ,Neil Young etc.

I always say,  you do what you know.  The earthy gutsy raw kind of rock blues music I grew up with has always been at my core. I started singing because after watching Robert Plant in 'The Song Remains the Same' the way it made me feel I thought to myself I wanna do something in my life that's gonna make people feel the way I'm feeling right now watching this amazing front person extend his emotions straight to me.  Theres's magic in emotional connection. I don't know how to sing any other way.

What does blues music mean to you today? Is it just a genre, or is it a way of surviving and expressing life?

The Blues is a living breathing entity... it's life lived , the good the bad and the never ending gift of... feeling!

Over three decades, you’ve shared the stage with incredible artists. What is one collaboration or piece of advice from your past that you will never forget?

I have been blessed to share the stage with some of the most incredible souls.. great players but more importantly great humans. I think i've taken more from the moments talking and travelling with these amazing people than even the time spent on stage, learning their experiences seeing life through their eyes, how resilient the heart can be.  Every connection remains with me ...every song every show. I had many inspirations.

As one of Canada’s most respected Blues n’ Roots voices, what advice would you give to a young artist starting out in blues today?

Do everything from the heart with heart! Always be open to learn, teach, give and receive the experiences. Most importantly be true to yourself believe what you're singing, mean what you say ... when it's real and true it touches... emotional connection is magic!

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(Photo: Angel Forrest)