Behind The Sound: YUSSI
YUSSI has established himself as one of the most exciting names in drum & bass. Known for his energetic, dancefloor-focused sound and rapid rise over the past few years, the Australian producer has built momentum with a consistent run of releases, now reaching over 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and a growing presence on international stages.
In this interview, he reflects on his journey into the genre, the development of his sound, and the key moments that have defined his progression so far.
Origins & Early Breakthrough
What did your journey into drum & bass look like, and what first pulled you into the genre?
My first memory of drum & bass was hearing the Mind Vortex remix of "Silent Shadows" in a FaZe Clan montage — it just sounded completely different to anything I’d heard before. I kept replaying it and started digging into artists like Muzz and Feint Then a friend showed me Pendulum and that’s when I was fully hooked.
At what point did you start to feel that your music was gaining real traction, and what led to that?
It’s felt pretty gradual — each year since 2022 there’s been a couple of tracks that pushed things forward. Early on it was songs like "Forget" and "TURN IT", then my "Trigger Finger" remix getting DJ support. The biggest jump came in 2024–2025 with "Nonstop", "Worth The Love", and then my "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" remix which really took off.
“Bringing influences from other genres into drum & bass is a big part of what keeps it interesting for me.”
Recent Rise & Momentum
Your rise has been incredibly fast, how have you experienced that growth?
A lot of it comes from work I did before releasing anything — I spent years just producing and getting better. Since then, it’s really just been consistency and treating it like a full-time job. Releasing regularly and improving each time has been the biggest driver of growth.
What moments have felt like genuine turning points in your journey?
2024 was a big one — supporting Luude and Chase & Status on tour and dropping my Nonstop album. Then in 2025, signing with Ivo Mayfield at Tealeaves and doing my first Europe tour was huge. Those moments really shifted things up a level for me.
Sound & Identity
What draws you to that high-energy, crowd-focused style of drum & bass?
I’ve always been into music that hits hard but still has emotion behind it. I like combining strong melodies and chords with sounds that really hits you in a live setting. Bringing influences from other genres into drum & bass is a big part of what keeps it interesting for me.
How has your sound evolved since you first got into production?
The core hasn’t changed too much — I’ve always liked experimenting and trying different ideas. Early on it was maybe a bit too left-field, but now I’ve learned how to make it fit better within drum & bass. It’s more about balancing originality with making tracks that actually work in sets.
“Consistency and hard work are what really move things forward.”
Production & Creative Process
What production techniques or plugins are central to your sound?
A big thing for me is using sounds from outside drum & bass to keep things fresh. I’ve always used Xfer Serum a lot, but these days I focus more on picking the right sounds than designing everything from scratch. It’s more about what fits the track than just making the craziest bass.
How do you build drops that work both online and on big sound systems?
I try to keep the drop connected to the rest of the track by using the same chord progressions and ideas. That way it feels like a natural lift in energy instead of a random switch. It helps the track hit hard live but still feel musical.
How much of your process is instinctive versus intentional?
These days it’s mostly intentional — I usually have a clear idea and try to bring that to life. Early on it was way more trial and error, which was important for learning. Now it’s more about executing ideas properly while still leaving room for creativity.
“Don’t be afraid to fail early, that’s where you learn the most.”
Playing Live
How does playing live influence the way you produce?
Playing live definitely pushes me to make more energetic, DJ-friendly tracks. I think more about groove and keeping people moving the whole way through. Even the emotional parts now still have some rhythm to keep the flow going.
What have you learned from the dancefloor that you couldn’t in the studio?
What works in the studio doesn’t always work on a dancefloor. You really see how people react in real time and whether they can move to it. That’s made me focus on keeping tracks engaging from start to finish.
How has touring internationally shaped your perspective on the scene?
It made me realise how much bigger drum & bass is in places like Europe and the UK compared to Australia. There’s a much deeper culture around it. It’s also been cool seeing it grow in other parts of the world and connecting with those crowds.
"Gravity"
The drop in “Gravity” hits hard, how did you design that moment?
The drop was written by TANTRON, and I focused on the chords and intro. The main idea was to keep the same feeling from the intro and just push the energy up. That’s what makes it hit without feeling disconnected.
What was the process like working with Sophie-Grace?
Working with Sophie-Grace really gave the track direction. The “Gravity” idea came from her and it just clicked straight away. It turned the track from just a vibe into something with a clear theme.
What has the reaction been like playing “Gravity” live?
For me and Tantron, it’s tied to playing Rampage main stage to 10,000 people. That was the biggest show we’d done and a massive moment for us. Every time we hear the track now it takes us back there.
Advice
What advice would you give to producers trying to break into drum & bass?
Focus on making really good music first, but don’t ignore marketing. Try to build a sound that actually feels like you instead of just following trends. Consistency and hard work are what really move things forward.
What’s most important for building momentum as a new artist?
Consistency is everything — releasing regularly and staying visible. You need good music, but also have to push it properly and try different things. Don’t be afraid to fail early, that’s where you learn the most.
Looking Ahead
What are you most excited about for the rest of the year?
I’m in the middle of rolling out my next album, with the full 12-track project dropping at the end of May. After that I’ll be back in Europe for summer festivals. Playing Let It Roll is a big one I’m really looking forward to.
--
A huge thank you to YUSSI for taking the time to speak with us, offering insight into his journey, creative process and the ideas shaping his music.
Stay connected with Yussi, and keep an eye out for his upcoming projects.