With his debut Transpire EP on Rabbit Hole, Ticky has cemented himself as one of the UK’s most promising new drum and bass artists. Blending melodic emotion with dancefloor precision, the release highlights his creative growth and versatility. We caught up with him to talk about the vision behind Transpire, collaboration, and carving his identity under the influence of goddard..

You’ve built steady momentum this year, especially with the singles leading into the EP. What was the vision behind Transpire when you first started shaping it?

I think it comes down to starting to find my sound and branding myself. Singles I have put out this year have all helped me form my sound in music production, and there is still a lot to learn too. This is why I called my EP Transpire, as this is the beginning of the come-up for me. As I have found myself come into Rabbit Hole, I also think this has helped me in the direction of where I’d like to go within music.

Each track feels emotionally distinct, from the cinematic pull of Downfall to the brighter lift of Furaha. How did you approach balancing mood and energy across the release?

I always feel like every song should tell a different story. I usually start with finding a vibe for the song, whether it’s vocals or a chord melody, and then I will build on that. I have learnt from the four years I have been producing that you should trust your ears and gut with how a song sounds. I’ll let myself go into a session with an open mind, and a cool idea will form naturally. The best ideas come from a natural spark, you can’t force anything.

The collaborations with Amelie Eve and EJ Kitto add a real vocal depth to the project. What drew you to work with them, and how did those sessions unfold?

I’ll start with Amelie. I was introduced to her back when I won the competition that goddard. and Rabbit Hole did to find a new artist to release with them. We then made Exit Bound, which came out back in May this year. From then on, we have always worked very well together as our musicality bounces off each other, and she has an amazing voice. We started Downfall back in April this year, and after a good five months of going back and forth, myself and Rabbit Hole decided to make an EP with Downfall being the main focus track.

I met EJ Kitto properly back at Gemfest in 2024, which is a great new festival by the Pull Up Recordings group. From that point, we have always stayed in contact and built a friendship. Two years later, we finally made a track together. I sent over two ideas, one of them being Waterfall. One month later, the final version came back to us, and we were all very happy, as was Rabbit Hole. I love that Amelie and EJ both have very unique voices, and they are almost opposite ends of the tonal spectrum, which I thought would work really well to add variety and depth to Transpire.

Rabbit Hole has developed a strong reputation for emotional yet dancefloor-driven music. How has being part of the label under goddard’s direction influenced your own creative process?

This has definitely helped me find my direction in music. Like I said before, I have always liked goddard.’s music and have been listening to him since his early days of Nicotine, Prospa, and other songs like Greenlight. Now that he is supporting me, I really feel like I can use the influence he has given me since I started producing to push into my own tracks. He has also given me feedback and tips on production and workflow, which have helped me a lot.

There’s a clear sense of growth in your production compared to earlier singles. Were there any key technical or creative breakthroughs while making these tracks?

I think it actually started after I made Exit Bound with Amelie. I designed a horn stab, which you will hear in Downfall and Riptide, which really opened my mind on how I can use that sound in my music. I then started to experiment with structure and different ways I could develop the sound and make it more interesting. Transpire is the beginning of that.

You’ve received support from BBC Radio 1 Dance, BBC Introducing and DNB Allstars. How has that exposure shaped your confidence and direction as an artist?

I feel like having the support from these brands has helped me feel more included in the industry of electronic music. Being able to push my own tracks out with these platforms has really helped me gain more of a fanbase and find new opportunities within my career. I also have a better vision of where I would like to go within music.

The tracklist rollout was staggered week by week. Did that structure affect how you wanted people to experience the EP as a whole?

I feel like it was the best way to do it. It gives more time to focus on each track and promote to the right people and places. I was worried that by pushing all tracks at once, some would get lost or left behind, and I feel like every track deserves its own time to breathe.

You’ve mentioned wanting to balance underground identity with broader accessibility. How do you navigate that tension when writing new music?

I’ll go into a session with an open mind. When I have the idea and foundation, I can pick apart certain sounds that I can hear sitting in the track and implement them. I create underground elements with low basslines and energetic drums, and I elevate them with more melodic elements and vocals to achieve a perfect balance of underground and mainstream sounds.

Beyond this EP, what’s next for you, more Rabbit Hole projects, collaborations, or something different altogether?

I can see myself fitting in very well with Rabbit Hole, and I would love to become part of it as it progresses. They have already helped me a lot since March this year too. I’m always open to working with new people and finding new talent. What’s next I wouldn’t be able to say as it hasn’t happened yet, but I do know where I’d like to go and the goals I have. My dream is to do music full-time, so I will keep pushing and driving myself forward until I get there.

Finally, you’re stranded on a desert island with one turntable, a generator and one record. What’s it going to be?

Ooo this one is tough. If I had to pick one, I would say the record "Apache I’m Fine (Imanu Remix)." This track isn’t even drum and bass, but something about it just clicks in my brain. There are so many more tracks too, but this one would be top for me.

Ticky’s debut Transpire EP is out now on Rabbit Hole, marking a defining step in his evolution as a producer. With a sound rooted in emotion and energy, his trajectory looks set to continue rising as part of the label’s growing family.