Talking Bass and Bees with Australia’s Okayden

The Melbourne producer found inspiration in one of Australia’s most unique insects for his new tech-house track, “Tetragonula Carbonaria,” out October 11th.

Making music he loves, Melbourne Producer Okayden. Image: supplied

We’re kicking this one off with a quick entomology lesson. When you think of bees, you most likely envisage the much-loved European Honey Bee. Not to be disparaging to those amazing little creatures, but they are an introduced species in Australia. Bee-lieve it or not (couldn’t resist, sorry!), Australia is home to some 2,000 species of native bees, many of which are a bit like your typical Aussie – they don’t have a sting, and those that do rarely use them.

This focus on the unique and native is the perfect introduction to Melbourne producer Okayden, who has channelled the energy of one of these tiny creatures into his latest release. Tetragonula Carbonaria is a slice of tech-house powered by a buzzing bassline that’s built to make dancefloors sweat. As it so happens, one of Tetragonula Carbonaria’s common names is the “Sweat Bee” as they are often attracted to sweat. FUN FACT.

As Okayden explains, the track’s sound is a reflection of its namesake.

“The bee is very similar to the honeybee most people know but is highly social and a stingless variety,” he says. “The song is meant to encompass the social aspect of the bee, with a lot of call and response elements. In that way, it makes the song very Tech House in genre.”

For Okayden, the track represents more than just a clever concept; it’s also meant a significant shift in his creative process. Much like the efficiency of the bee, he’s leaning in to a more efficient and streamlined workflow.

“Production-wise, I’m moving away from my vocal chop style I’ve been doing a lot of lately and trying to focus on just good rhythms and beats without over-cluttering the sound,” he explains. “Having the bee motif to focus on when making the track really helped me shape this a lot faster and cleaner than usual.”

This newfound clarity in the studio is part of a wider personal shift. This track has signaled a move towards creating for himself, rather than for a perceived market. “It’s a bit of a shift… not trying to focus so much on what might be more ‘palatable’ or ‘marketable’ for an audience, just purely stuff that I really enjoy. In some ways, it represents who I am as I get older, moving away from club sounds and more mellowing out and introspective.”

So who is the artist behind the insect-inspired beats? Okayden is a producer from Melbourne who believes Scooby Doo 2 is a prequel and makes mostly house music. After starting in musical theatre, the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 opened up the chance to dive into creating his own music. Now five years and three EPs later, he continues to shake things up with fresh tracks and an evolving sound.

“Tetragonula Carbonaria” is the first taste of his new new direction. When asked about his upcoming plans, he says he’s “going in a more darker tone with my upcoming tracks while trying out some new genres.” He’s embracing even more complex titles, with the thought that “it makes the tracks stand out and memorable.” 

With several upcoming remixes and more originals planned for the rest of 2025, Okayden is an artist leaning into the unconventional, much like Australia’s native bees. He’s refreshed, full of new ideas, and focussed simply on making music that he loves. And as he puts it, “that’s all we can really ask for.”

Coming to a dancefloor near you, Tetragonula Carbonaria is out now.