This latest 1 More Mix comes courtesy of the bombarding sounds of Transforma.
With releases already on the likes of Blackout, Sinful Maze, Korsakov and Neuroheadz, you could say that Transforma is already a household name in drum & bass. But having already been in the production game for a decade, are we hearing a transformation in his sound?
This 100% productions mix packs a different kind of punch, as we hear sounds inspired by cinematic legend Hans Zimmer, future sounding and techy vibes inspired by the likes of IMANU and Buunshin, all polished off with powerful neuro breaks.
Having spent some down time back in his homeland of Australia in 2023, it was still a monstrous year in terms of production as he completed fifty projects. All while finishing an EP for his techno alias, Arkana.
Transforma by name, transformer by nature, it seems the shape shifting character of Neil Bartlett is playing into his own hands. More doors are opening, the bookings are rolling in as we continue to see the evolvement of an already bonafide bass bruiser.
So strap yourselves in, roll out, listen in and read on as we learn more about Transforma…
Well that mix was a heavy journey! How did your journey as an artist begin?
Thanks a lot man I really wanted to showcase a lot of my latest works in this mix, and take every listener on an epic journey. Well I began my journey back in 2012. After playing in numerous metal and hardcore bands for years I really wanted to try something new. And I always had a guilty pleasure for electronic music. So after discovering the classic dubstep sounds of artists such as Gemini, Doctor P and Roksonix, the whole UKF vibe really. I got my first copy of Ableton I think towards the end of 2012 and it was like learning a whole new language, so tough at the time. But the dedication, motivation and drive was there from the beginning. As for D&B I think it was towards late 2014 that I made the official switch after dabbling with dubstep and mid-tempo for the first few years. So I am going on a decade of D&B production this year!
It feels like you can be labelled a veteran of the scene, yet you’re still evolving so much. That’s exciting and inspirational, where do you get your inspiration from?
I like all kinds of music, it really depends on my mood at the time. I have drawn influence from many different forms. From the complex melodies of classical music to the cinematic brilliance of Hans Zimmer, the song writing skills of Muse to the raw, yet slamming production of RZA. I definitely look up to many artists outside of D&B as well as the likes of Noisia, Mefjus, Black Sun Empire, Burr Oak, Magnetude, IMANU, Buunshin and Annix just to name a few.
I can definitely hear some of those inspirations in this mix! 2023 was a busy year for you in the studio, can you tell us what you got up to?
It certainly was, I ended up finishing a personal record of fifty tracks in a year! I still can’t believe it. what an achievement! I might try and go one better next time!
Wow somebody’s been busy cooking up a storm! What are your hopes for the year ahead?
I am so proud of a lot of the work I have forthcoming. It’s been great not to pigeonhole myself to just neuro and expand my horizons into some more hybrid/jump up & melodic techy stuff this past year. Definitely a lot more to come. I am hoping that it’s going to be a busy year with all the releases and fingers crossed I get to explore many new countries I’ve never been able to showcase my music in and hoping that a few more dreams come true.
Would you agree that you’ve been experimenting in the studio? Will we be hearing some different sounds from yourself this year?
Oh totally! I have worked tirelessly on expanding into new avenues within the D&B realm and also trying my hand at some 140bpm neurobreaks too. Plus I have my techno side project which was quiet in 2023 but I do have a new EP finished.
I understand you split your time between the UK and Australia in 2023, how has your time in your homeland been?
Yeah I wanted to come home and spend some catch up time with my immediate family, since I was unable to do so during the pandemic. So it’s been refreshing to come back and see them again. I played a few shows out here and got to catch up with lots of old friends. I have also worked extremely hard on myself this year with fitness and getting healthy and mentally stable, and I must say, I haven’t felt this good both physically and mentally for a long time.
This is amazing to hear and sounds like it was much needed! Is this mix a representation of what a live Transforma set would sound like?
Definitely! I try to play as much of an original set as I can these days. But you always need to throw in other ridiculous tunes from fellow artists and lots of stuff the crowd has never heard before just to get the balance right of course.
Are you a meticulous planner when it comes to your mixes or are you a go with the flow guy?
Generally I will usually plan a set a few days in advance. But I do find often that I sometimes run out of tunes from my list and then just experiment.
2023 saw neurofunk coming back to the forefront of drum & bass, will there be more of the same this year?
Let’s hope so! The movement is strong at the moment, especially the resurgence of neurofunk in the UK. As for Australia, it’s never really taken off and nothing’s really changed to be honest.
What are your thoughts on the drum & bass scene in general at the moment?
The popularity of it is getting big. I hear it randomly just flicking through radio stations while driving, I see mainstream artists jumping on board and I see more and more drum & bass being billed on major festivals throughout the world. It’s a big year for D&B in general I feel!
This has been awesome! Do you have anything exciting coming up in the near future?
I have a few bookings in the EU coming in February and then a whole bunch more starting in May for the summer! Kicking off in Helsinki, Finland, somewhere I have never been. Many big announcements to come for the summer shows. On the release front I have a lot coming this year, some even on labels I have dreamed of releasing with for years. Many new doors have opened from experimenting with my sound. Also getting to meet lots of awesome people like yourself for the first time, that is exciting to me. Thanks a bunch for taking the time to get these questions at me and thanks a bunch to Dave for running such an awesome platform for us artists to express to you guys!
