Behind The Sound: Telomic
We speak with Telomic about music-making, emotional depth in Drum & Bass, working with Liquicity, and staying true to his sound.
7 minutes read
We caught up with UK-based producer Telomic to talk about his journey into Drum & Bass, the influences that helped shape his sound, and the path that led him to where he is today. From formative nights at fabric to carving out his own space within liquid and melodic DnB, Telomic reflects on process, perspective, and what’s next.
Journey & Identity
Growing up in the UK, it’s hard to pinpoint the first time I’d heard Drum & bass, just because it’s everywhere, and such an engrained part of the cultural sound
- Telomic
Can you take us back to the beginning, how did you first discover Drum & Bass, and what eventually led you to producing music as Telomic?
Growing up in the UK, it’s hard to pinpoint the first time I’d heard Drum & bass, just because it’s everywhere, and such an engrained part of the cultural sound – but I remember the early Chase & Status/Sub Focus era of the mid-late 2000s well, as the soundtrack of house parties growing up, but it wasn’t until hearing the Camo & Krooked remix of September that it really clicked, hearing drum & bass in a really melodic centric context. As for Telomic, I was producing under my own name for many years, and had a US-based management for a while, and so despite liking drum & bass, this was in the early 2010s, when it hadn’t really boomed in the US like it has, so I was steered into Dubstep for a while by them, and Telomic was born out of a need for an outlet for my DnB stuff – it was never originally intended to be more than that.
Can you talk about any early experiences or turning points that helped shape your sound?
When I was a student, I lived in Kingston, in West London, and my friend dragged me one night to fabric for a Critical night there, and from then on it become a monthly ritual, they had a residency there, and we would go every month – hearing Alix Perez, Ivy Lab, Enei, Kasra etc. on that system massively shaped my sound.
What draws you toward making music with such a strong melodic and emotional focus?
Honestly I don’t really know, I just love it. I listen to a lot of Future Garage, House, and general chillout stuff, and so I music in = music out right? So I guess it’s just an extension of that, I’m listening to chill music, so when I write, it’s chill music coming out.
Sound, Style & Evolution
I try and evoke some sort of emotion through what I do and just going with gut instinct is often what gets there, rather than overthinking every detail.
- Telomic
How would you describe the evolution of your sound from your first releases to where you are today?
I copy GLXY less haha. All my early stuff was me just trying to emulate their sound, and it took a bit for me to find my feet (which I don’t see as a bad thing honestly) – now it’s much broader and more mature.
As Drum & Bass continues to evolve, how do you balance staying true to your style while moving with the genre?
I think just listening to what is happening around you, and naturally some of that will bleed into your music, comes with the ‘music in = music out’ comment I made earlier, it’s just about absorbing it all really, and not trying to directly chase something else.
How do you approach building emotional storytelling into a track?
I just try not to overthink it, I’m not trying to tell a story directly, I just try and evoke some sort of emotion through what I do – and just going with gut instinct is often what gets there, rather than overthinking every detail.
Technical Process
Mixing is like 90% sound selection, 10% actual technique.
- Telomic
When you begin a new tune, what usually sparks the first idea, chords, drums, a vocal, a texture?
It depends, but it’ll be either atmosphere, drums or chords. In the case of some of the darker heavier tunes, it can be a bass that comes from a sound design session or something, but for the majority, it’s one of those 3.
What are the tools, synths, plugins, or workflows that have become central to shaping your sound?
Serum 2 is a big one these days, it’s a brilliant synth – but that’s a boring answer – something like randomisation when generating basses, or resampling sounds over and over to get interesting results is probably a better answer haha.
Your tracks always feel balanced and polished. What’s your philosophy when it comes to mixing liquid Drum & Bass?
Thank you – I think mixing is like 90% sound selection, 10% actual technique. Some people are far better than I am, but I think that making sure you’re picking sounds to fill space, rather than picking sounds for the sake of it, and being sure that everything fits in its own space without mixing at all, so that when you are EQing, it’s mostly tidying up and refining, rather than desperately trying to fit it all in. With that said, I’m always learning, which helps – constantly evolving the workflows and practices.
How do you navigate the line between streaming and club functionality when you produce?
Honestly, Liquid Drum & Bass rides the line pretty well anyway – it’s got that club energy, but is listenable at home – so most of the hard work is done by the genre itself, rather than me!
Community, Labels & Scene
Whilst the landscape has changed, the turnout for events shows that there is so much love for Liquid right now.
- Telomic
How has connecting with other artists and listeners within the liquid/melodic community shaped your journey so far?
It helps inspire honestly, seeing friends really smash it over and over – Keeno is a good example here – it drives you to do better, to be better.
How has working with Liquicity influenced your path as a producer, whether in terms of sound, opportunities, or personal growth?
I’d like to think it hasn’t shaped me massively in any forced way – it’s just given me a much bigger platform to push my sound. Liquicity have been amazing at not forcing my hand in any particular direction which has been the reason I keep working with them – I’ve had discussions with other labels where they’re just sending me other artists and trying to make me sound more like them, and honestly, that’s not for me.
How would you describe the current state of liquid Drum & Bass from your perspective?
I think liquid is in a really strong place. A lot of people are quite doom and gloom about it, but as the genre has blown up in recent years – I have started seeing Liquid events popping up, and whilst the landscape has changed, the turnout for these events (Technimatic, London Elektricity, and even our own ‘Undercurrent’ event) shows that there is so much love for Liquid right now.
Collaboration & Performance
This genre has been thriving for 30 years, so there’s plenty of incredible music to choose from.
- Telomic
When you collaborate with vocalists or other producers, what do you look for in that creative chemistry?
Honestly we just have to get on, these things are always a back and forth – you have to be able to take criticism – and adjust to fit the flow of the tune with multiple hands on it. If there’s a hint of ego, or anything like that, it can’t really work.
How do you translate your melodic, atmospheric sound into a live set?
I like to keep my live sets quite broad – and I’ve started throwing some non-dnb sections in sets too (UKG/140) to switch it up and keep the energy – I think so many people play the same style, and the same tempo, every single set, and I think it can be fun to break that formula a bit. I also like digging into classics, this genre has been thriving for 30 years, so there’s plenty of incredible music to choose from, it doesn’t all have to be from the past 18 months.
Vision & Future
Looking ahead, are there any releases, collaborations, or milestones you’re aiming for?
I’ve just sent off a single with my good friend Aperio and a remix which is TBA – and then it’s just about finishing up the rest of the bits I’m sitting on – I feel back in a flow again, having struggled a bit in 2025 – and so that is what I’m looking forward to more than any particular release!
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A big thank you to Telomic for taking the time to share his insights with us. From formative nights discovering liquid Drum & Bass in London to developing a sound rooted in melody and emotion, his journey highlights a thoughtful, instinct-driven approach to music and an artist continuing to evolve on his own terms.
Connect with Telomic and make sure to check out his latest EP "Parts Of Me"
