Some albums take a life of their own. Take the case of Room Two. What started as a title simply named after Minor Forms’ studio – “aka my other room” – it gradually became a whole concept and process that comprised not only some of his closest friends and deepest influences, but also gave him space to celebrate one of the most important spots in club culture… The all important second room.
“In the initial stages of writing the LP I had this name in my head and I began to reminisce about past raves, DJ sets and time spent going out with friends,” says Minor Forms. Real name Justin Mann, he was last spotted on 1 More Thing in August 2022 discussing the return of his old group Arcatype. “This started to formulate the narrative of the LP, which became strong and stronger throughout the writing process.”
“The album is also split into two halves, the first being solo productions and the second being collabs with friends who I have shared experience of being in a rave with,” Justin continues. “This felt really important in order to tie the narrative together. I am lucky enough to have friends that write great music independently and so having them on this project feels really special. Big shouts to Kublai, Note, Total Science, Kathryn Brenna and Composite!”
Biggest shouts to the Mann himself on this occasion. Room Two’s narrative tells the story many artists want to tell with their debut; a tale of their roots, their friends and their influences. Plus a chance to stretch their legs across a few styles and vibes that an EP might now have space to allow. Very much like the vibe of the second room. A spot where some of most exciting sounds can incubate without mainroom pressure or expectation. A space that essentially is at the heart of drum & bass DNA in the first place.
“Room 2s are absolutely essential to club culture and where a lot of DJs get their experience. They also allow a more diverse range of music to occur during an event, it allows people to escape the main room and experience a different vibe or genre. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the intensity of a main room. Obviously the intensity and energy of a main room is exciting and fun, but hearing DJs go deeper or play alternative sets can often make a night feel more whole and ultimately more interesting. This is why I love them and why I wanted to write an album that spanned multiple styles and touches on the different sounds and textures you find in Drum & Bass. It’s music that you could play in room 1 or 2, but it really encapsulates what I want to hear when I go out, which is variety.”
Take a deep dive into Room Two and that’s exactly what you find. From the urgent dancefloor twangs of the title track to the sassy, jazzy intro and tummy twisting drop of Let Go to the dubby breaks of Tell You. But behind the variety is an impressive and very structured process that’s just as defined as the concept is deep.
“I gave myself a year to write the music, collate the final tunes and decide what to put on the album,” he explains. “I started writing it in January 2023 and had written most of it by the start of 2024. I then spent the year testing the tunes out in clubs, checking what worked and what didn’t. As this is an album based on club/D&B culture testing the music out like this was vital. I can listen to every tune now and feel confident it belongs on the album. It signifies what I love about the genre and each track has a story behind it and represents a different style/feel that I love.”
Road tested on road. A timeless tradition for any club music, especially on a label with roots as deep in d&b history as Total Science’s CIA, Room Two was sculpted in the way the music originally intended. Authentic, personal and rife in collab energy, it’s more than a major move from Minor Forms. We asked him for three favourite room 2 memories to mark the moment.
“When I was younger I spent a lot of time in Room 2s, be that as a raver or DJ and this was massively formative, and still guides how I approach writing and listening to underground electronic music. It’s something that everyone should experience when they are getting into club music and club culture, it keeps things exciting and gives you a different perspective.”
It even shaped his whole Minor Forms project, as these memories reveal!
Minor Forms – Room Two is out now.
Minor Forms’s favourite Room 2 memories
Jubei b2b Alix Perez at Fabric closing Room 2 for a Metalheadz night, probably around 12 years ago!
They played for two hours and I remember being so tired but adamant that I was staying until the lights came on, the vibes were so on point. It was definitely a formative moment seeing two DJs/producers that have always been so consistent smash out a set together. The last song on the LP Till Close is actually named after that moment as it was myself and Composite (a close friend of mine) who decided to stay until the close that night.
Hit & Run Room 2 warm ups
“Years ago when I was at Uni in Manchester I used to co-run the UMDNB society and we used to play at various venues in the city. Hit&Run was a night we used to go out to a lot and we were lucky to host a few Room 2s. They were always a load of fun and I remember a few that we did that were especially raucous when we had T-man, Sparkz or Truthos Mufasa on the mic.”
Minor Forms & Composite from around the same era. Hench CD wallet!
25 years of Metalheadz at Printworks
“Room 2 was where I was most of the day. I was only planning to stay at the event for a few hours and head home. I was watching Ant Tc1 and he double dropped LSB – Potshot and Fierce & Cause4Concern – Carrier and I turned to my mate next to me and said “I’m staying until the end”… It was definitely the right decision! This event rekindled some of my love for the genre and it was only a few months after that I started to write music as Minor Forms.”
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